Dàoyùnlóu

Guangdong


China’s largest octagonal tǔlóu (土楼, Hakka earthen house), Dàoyùnlóu is located in Raoping (饶平, Ráopíng), 53km northeast of Chaozhou. Some 600 villagers once resided in this stunning complex built in 1587; today only 160 remain. Ascend to the upper floors from unit 18 to admire the views and frescoes.

Buses to Raoping (¥22, one hour) leave from Chaozhou Main Bus Station. Change to a bus to the village of Sānráo (三饶镇; ¥13) in Raoping, another 50km away. From there, motor-rickshaws will take you to Dàoyùnlóu (¥5, 10 minutes).

At the time of research the building was being partially renovated without word of when things would be completely open. Call ahead to see if they are receiving visitors.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Guangdong attractions

1. Huā’è Lóu

20.59 MILES

The majestic 400-year-old ‘house of calyx’, 120km east of Meizhou, is the largest circular earthen castle in Guangdong. It comes complete with three rings…

2. Haiyuan Inn

22.54 MILES

An eye-catching, early-20th-century mansion, the Haiyuan Inn combines Southeast Asian features, Western details and the attributes of a hakka (走马楼; zǒumǎ…

3. Zhaoqing Hall

22.55 MILES

Inhabited by the third and fourth generations of the founder, a pharmaceutical merchant, this balmy courtyard residence (c 1914) features stone, wood and…

4. Qĭnán Villa

22.55 MILES

Lack of upkeep and old age (it dates from early 18th century) mean Qinan Villa looks a bit like a princeling-turned-pauper. The stone carvings around its…

5. Chaozhou City Wall

23.78 MILES

The remains of the ancient city wall run alongside and back from the river. You can walk on the top of most sections.

6. Emperor Xu’s Son-in-Law’s Mansion

23.8 MILES

This breezy mansion originally built in 1064 retains some of its ancient stonework and wall coverings. The high door saddles, unique to southern China,…

7. West Lake

23.9 MILES

The moat of ancient Chaozhou is a lake inside a park well loved by locals. Around the lake are a few notable buildings. Hanbi Building served as a…

8. Hanwen Ancestral Temple

23.93 MILES

On the east bank of the Han, this is the oldest and best-preserved temple dedicated to the Tang dynasty philosopher Han Yu, who was banished to ‘far-flung…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "china/guangdong/chaozhou/attractions/daoyunlou/a/poi-sig/1240737/355938",
      "destination": "Guangdong",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "China",
      "region": "Guangdong",
      "position": "superzone"
    }