Mai Tu Liao - Visit a Tu Lou and Have Plenty of Food along the way - 土楼，龙岩 (Long Yan) Fujian, China

[therock]

With travel opening up, many are catching up on the in person meetings that have been replaced by zoom, and more people are now going back to traveling.

With a brace of invites, I got invited to this place for work and teaching, and whilst I knew little about this place initially, a quick search showed that it was the land of the Hakka, and that meant that I could see some of the famed ancient abode of the Hakka, and also enjoy their cuisine. And no... it's not yong tau foo but much much more...

 

The most direct route from Singapore is via Xiamen, then an hour's worth of fast train to reach Long Yan, a city of a few million located in a basin surrounded by mountains in the Fujian Province. You can also reach it via trains from HKG or other larger airports.

To whet your appetite on what this place is about... how about some pictures of the most famous attractions first?

 

 

 

[therock]

The fast train in China have come a long way..

 

The train stations are massive, with many trains stopping and they are quite punctual. Plenty of food choices there, and prices are decent.

The MagLev tech is quite mature now, a far cry from the accidents they had initially and the speeds are comparable with those in Japan. Furthermore the quietness and smooths are also quite similar, but of course the passengers are a varied lot.. some are farmers traveling between cities, others buy the cheapest tickets and try to squeeze onto your seats even though they only bought standing seats..

There is one first class cabin in each train typically, the rest are second class seats and whilst the seats are ok, the checks on who is the rightful owner of the seats is less stringent in second class.

You are advised to eat first, but there is a food carriage located in the middle and the typical fare consists of instant noodles and snacks. 

[therock]

The hotel is quite impressive

The first meal is equally nice, as it's the 洗程 meal to wash off the dust from the travel, and it took me a good part of a day to reach them..

And yes, this is all Hakka food, some of which look familiar and others are new to some of us here..

 

[Tohto]

I really enjoy traveling to China nowadays, they are modern, good HSR, good food around.

Beautiful nature and older city.

Waiting for more posting from you.

Edited November 21 by Tohto

[Atonchia]

On 11/21/2024 at 11:05 PM, therock said:

The fast train in China have come a long way..

 

The train stations are massive, with many trains stopping and they are quite punctual. Plenty of food choices there, and prices are decent.

The MagLev tech is quite mature now, a far cry from the accidents they had initially and the speeds are comparable with those in Japan. Furthermore the quietness and smooths are also quite similar, but of course the passengers are a varied lot.. some are farmers traveling between cities, others buy the cheapest tickets and try to squeeze onto your seats even though they only bought standing seats..

There is one first class cabin in each train typically, the rest are second class seats and whilst the seats are ok, the checks on who is the rightful owner of the seats is less stringent in second class.

You are advised to eat first, but there is a food carriage located in the middle and the typical fare consists of instant noodles and snacks. 

The beef noodle looks really yummy

[therock]

After the first round of talks 

my assigned assistant takes us for a more regular meal 

the highlight for me is the lovely jasmine rice 🍚 

the 葛根汤 is also good… some of these taste familiar from times gone by 
 

 

 

[therock]

Buffet breakfast is not bad, but I heard they keep the same menu throughout the week...

[Tohto]

On 11/22/2024 at 6:32 AM, therock said:

After the first round of talks 

my assigned assistant takes us for a more regular meal 

the highlight for me is the lovely jasmine rice 🍚 

the 葛根汤 is also good… some of these taste familiar from times gone by 
 

 

 

Food look very good. 

 

[Lala81]

On 11/22/2024 at 8:40 AM, Tohto said:

Food look very good. 

 

people is esteemed guest. haha of course food looks good. 

[Dadiao]

The food looks good (though simple, but the vegetables look fresh, and the dish have an appetizing appeal) ... and the Gigantic Ball, what is that ?

[therock]

Another working lunch 

👍 

[therock]

On 11/22/2024 at 9:31 AM, Dadiao said:

The food looks good (though simple, but the vegetables look fresh, and the dish have an appetizing appeal) ... and the Gigantic Ball, what is that ?

It’s made from flour and some sugar almost like a giant prata sugar thing

they poke it and cut into triangles like Doritos 

[therock]

Guess what kind of car is this?

not a security 🚐 

[TangoCharlie]

Sg also has one 土楼，which houses a columbarium for Hakka.

[therock]

On 11/22/2024 at 9:31 AM, Dadiao said:

The food looks good (though simple, but the vegetables look fresh, and the dish have an appetizing appeal) ... and the Gigantic Ball, what is that ?

After cutting up 

[therock]

Another feast, again Hakka or Fujian stuff, and some look familiar, see the fries haaha

 

[therock]

So I did ask them about Yong Tau Foo, and they smiled... it's an Nanyang thing... just like chicken rice, it's not from Hainan.. so don't expect Niang Tou Foo over there

[therock]

It's the weekend soon, and that means Tu Lou time...