Huaelou: A Hakka Earthen Masterpiece in Meizhou

December 09, 2025

Huaelou: A Hakka Earthen Masterpiece in Meizhou

Huaelou, an extraordinary circular earthen building in Dabu, Meizhou, Guangdong, stands as a profound testament to Hakka architectural genius. This monumental structure, erected in 1608, spans approximately 2,300 square meters and reaches 12 meters in height, encompassing 210 rooms that preserve the history of generations. My 2024 visit offered a chance to capture its enduring spirit through a series of images.

Stepping into the Past

The journey began on a quiet stone path leading to the ancient compound, where an undisturbed atmosphere of history prevailed. An abandoned well, a silent observer of centuries of daily life, immediately emphasized the site's age.

Moving deeper, the architecture began to reveal its stories. The main building was strikingly adorned with vibrant red lanterns hanging from its roof, providing a splash of color against the aged earthen walls. Nearby, a simple snapshot of traditional domesticity was preserved: a stone grinder on a wooden table, with winter melons resting upon it, symbolizing the harvest.

The immense scale of the complex soon became apparent—a monumental Hakka earthen building with a vast, tiled roof, a grand shelter for a large community. Exploring the interior offered intricate details, such as a close-up of a wooden aisle with rocks underneath, highlighting the meticulous construction and maintenance of the structure.

The Circular Fortress and Communal Life

The building's signature circular form was breathtaking, dominated by cobblestones covering the courtyard ground. The sheer repetition in the structure was mesmerizing—a massive circular building marked by a multitude of doors and windows. Other perspectives emphasized the communal design: another traditional Hakka building featured numerous doors, along with an additional circular structure densely filled with doors and windows, all suggesting the deeply interconnected lives lived inside.

More intimate views offered new insights into the density of the living spaces. One image captured a large section of the building filled with doors and windows. Another framed the view of an earthen Hakka building seen through a doorway, creating a sense of transition and enclosure. Even the central courtyard had its key feature: a circular building with many doors surrounding a well on the ground, the community's lifeblood centered within its walls. Interior details revealed the passage of time and constant use, such as a close look at the building's second-floor aisle, where the wood was visibly worn down by daily steps. The pervasive structural repetition was clear again in a section of the building featuring numerous doors and roof tiles.

Echoes of Inhabitants

Signs of both past and present daily life were ubiquitous. One interior shot focused on a wooden floor connected to the upper level by a rustic wooden ladder. A close-up of a wooden door highlighted the simple, solid craftsmanship.

Perhaps the most poignant image captured the current inhabitants: two elderly women sitting on stools in front of the main entrance. They stand as the quiet keepers of Huaelou’s legacy, their presence a powerful contrast to the massive, ancient structure, forming a living link between the founding year of 1608 and the present day.

Gears & Settings

Gears & Settings	Figures
Camera	Sony A6700
Lens	Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN
Creative Style	FL
Date	21 April 2024
Location	Dabu, Meizhou, Guangdong, China

Downloads

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Photos

#: 1 | SS: 1/160s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -2.0 | FL35: 53mm | Caption: An old building with a stone path in the front

#: 2 | SS: 1/80s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 27mm | Caption: An abandoned well

#: 3 | SS: 1/160s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -2.0 | FL35: 27mm | Caption: A building with red lanterns hanging from the roof

#: 4 | SS: 1/30s | ISO: 640 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 27mm | Caption: A stone grinder on a wooden table with winter melons on it

#: 5 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 27mm | Caption: A large Hakka earthen building with a roof and a lot of roof tiles

#: 6 | SS: 1/30s | ISO: 320 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.3 | FL35: 75mm | Caption: A close up of a wooden aisle with rocks beneath it

#: 7 | SS: 1/320s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.7 | FL35: 27mm | Caption: A circular Hakka building with a lot of cobblestones on the ground

#: 8 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.7 | FL35: 27mm | Caption: A large circular building with a lot of doors and windows

#: 9 | SS: 1/125s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 53mm | Caption: A Hakka traditional building with lots of doors

#: 10 | SS: 1/200s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.3 | FL35: 27mm | Caption: A circular building with a lot of doors and windows

#: 11 | SS: 1/320s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.3 | FL35: 27mm | Caption: A large building with a lot of doors and windows

#: 12 | SS: 1/100s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 27mm | Caption: A view of a Hakka earthen building through a doorway

#: 13 | SS: 1/320s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.7 | FL35: 27mm | Caption: A circular building with a lot of doors and a well on the ground

#: 14 | SS: 1/30s | ISO: 200 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 27mm | Caption: A close look of the building’s aisle on the second floor

#: 15 | SS: 1/160s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 51mm | Caption: A building with a lot of doors and roof tiles

#: 16 | SS: 1/30s | ISO: 1250 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 27mm | Caption: A wooden floor with a wooden ladder to the grand floor

#: 17 | SS: 1/30s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -1.7 | FL35: 36mm | Caption: A closeup look of a wooden door in the building

#: 18 | SS: 1/125s | ISO: 100 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 53mm | Caption: Two old women sitting on the stools in front of the main entrance of the building