Dapu TaiAn Building in Meizhou
Overview
Dapu TaiAn Building (大埔泰安楼), commonly known as TaiAn Building (泰安楼) or TaiAn Enclosure (泰安围), is located in Longgang Village, Huliaozhen, Dapu County, Meizhou City, Guangdong Province. The building covers a total area of 6,684 square meters, with a construction area of 5,136 square meters. It consists of a main building occupying 2,577 square meters, flanked by two study rooms covering 2,764 square meters, and features a gate square and flower platform of 1,325 square meters, comprising a total of 200 rooms.
The construction of Dapu TaiAn Building began in the 28th year of the Qianlong reign (1764 AD). It is grand in scale and intricately designed, with the central axis of the main structure consisting of a flat-roofed building surrounded by three stories. This building is a rare example of a stone enclosure in China and has been dubbed the “Water Cube of Hakka.” By the end of 2000, it was recognized as a “historical and cultural museum” for studying ancient Chinese residential architecture and Hakka historical culture and customs.
In 2002, Dapu TaiAn Building was designated a provincial key cultural relic protection unit by Guangdong Province. In January 2015, the TaiAn Hakka Cultural Tourism Industrial Park was rated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction. In October 2019, it was included in the eighth batch of national key cultural relic protection units by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
Historical Background
The first owner of Dapu TaiAn Building, Lan Shaoyuan (蓝少垣), who became wealthy through trade, started building the stone enclosure, intending to create a space that symbolizes peace and safety, hence naming it “TaiAn” (泰安).
In 2001, Dapu TaiAn Building applied for World Heritage status alongside Lianfeng Huayue Building (联丰花萼楼). In June 2004, Dapu County invested 50 million RMB to establish a large protective park, Xihu Park (西湖公园), that integrates with Dapu TaiAn Building. The park’s first phase covers 334 acres with a total investment of over 48 million RMB and was completed by the end of December 2004.
From 2004 to 2005, the Dapu County People’s Government and the provincial cultural department allocated over 1.8 million RMB for the maintenance of Dapu TaiAn Building, restoring its original features. In 2016, the Meizhou Municipal Committee and Municipal Government raised 14 million RMB for repairs, restoring its historical appearance.
Architectural Features
Dapu TaiAn Building is a brick, stone, and wood structure oriented northeast to southwest, featuring a square layout measuring 49 meters in length and 52.6 meters in width. The building has a spacious entrance and pond. It stands 11 meters tall and is divided into three stories; the wall thickness varies from 0.92 meters on the first floor to 0.44 meters on the third. The first and second floors have stone walls, while the third floor has brick walls. All three levels have inward-facing front corridors, with the first floor featuring wooden columns and stone bases, while the second and third floors consist of wooden pillars.
The main axis of the building consists of a flat-roofed hall divided into an upper and lower section. The upper hall is inscribed with “祖功宗德” (Ancestral Achievements and Virtues) and houses the ancestral tablets of the Lan family, serving as a shrine. On either side of the hall are side rooms, while the flat-roofed structure is surrounded by a courtyard. The third-story square building encloses the main flat-roofed section, creating a unique layout of “rooms within a building.”
Each side of Dapu TaiAn Building features a study for educational purposes, and a well is located in the right courtyard.
Cultural Relics
The first floor of Dapu TaiAn Building showcases the development history of the Hakka people, displaying traditional tools, clothing, and festival items, capturing Hakka customs, production, and lifestyle. The second floor contains ancient artifacts from Dapu, biographies of notable Hakka figures, models of famous Hakka residences, temples, and resources related to ceramic culture, the lives of 100 founding generals, Hakka overseas Chinese, tea culture, and Hakka culinary traditions.
Cultural Activities
From 2004 to 2005, the Dapu Museum displayed the lives of notable historical figures from Dapu, including 108 generals from the county, alongside exhibits of Hakka customs, production, and clothing. In 2018, the first “Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival” celebrations took place at Dapu TaiAn Building.
Legends and Anecdotes
While constructing Dapu TaiAn Building, Lan Shaoyuan moved his office to a second-floor room when the project reached the third level. He required laborers to carry two bricks up to the third floor before receiving their wages, effectively saving on the transportation costs of the fire bricks used in construction.
It is said that the Lan family patriarch was quite frugal and originally planned to build another identical square stone building on the right side to form a couple’s building; however, due to his untimely death, this plan was never realized, resulting in a standalone structure.
Interestingly, Dapu TaiAn Building is also the ancestral home of Mr. Lan Huaying (蓝铧缨), who served as the president of the Macao Olympic Committee and the general manager of the Lisboa Group.
Cultural Value
Hakka residential architecture, including Dapu TaiAn Building, is recognized alongside Beijing’s “Siheyuan,” Shaanxi’s “Yaodong,” Guangxi’s “Olive House,” and Yunnan’s “One-Seed Print,” as one of the “Five Unique Residences of China.” Dapu TaiAn Building, built in 1764, is a grand, intricately designed structure that is a rare example of square stone buildings in China, characterized by its unique architectural features and functional layout.
With its rich history and grand scale, Dapu TaiAn Building represents an important cultural heritage site for Hakka architecture, reflecting the social and cultural life of the Hakka people over centuries.
Protection Measures
In 2002, Dapu TaiAn Building was designated a provincial key cultural relic protection unit. In 2014, the TaiAn Hakka Cultural Tourism Industrial Park was fully developed and rated as a national 4A-level scenic area. In April 2018, with the approval of the Guangdong Provincial Government, the Meizhou Municipal Government implemented a protection plan for Dapu TaiAn Building (2018–2035). In October 2019, it was included in the eighth batch of national key cultural relic protection units.
Tourist Information
Address
Dapu TaiAn Building is located at 143-1 Daxing Road, Longgang Village, Huliaozhen, Dapu County, Meizhou City.
Ticket Price
18 RMB per person.
Transportation Information
By Car:
- From Meizhou City to the attraction:
Meizhou City → Xiyang Town → S333 → Dapu County → Bayi Road → Huancheng Avenue → Longgang Village → Dapu TaiAn Building. - From Jieyang City to the attraction:
Jieyang City → Travel 58.1 kilometers along G78 towards Meinan or Meizhou, slightly turn right → Travel 460 meters to enter Meilong Expressway → Meilong Expressway → Meizhou City → Xiyang Town → S333 → Dapu County → Bayi Road → Huancheng Avenue → Longgang Village → Dapu TaiAn Building.
