Hakka people comprise about 15 to 20% of the population of Taiwan; and form the second-largest ethnic group on the island.
Most of them concentrates in Hsinchu County and Miaoli County. (about 70% people in these two area belongs to Hakka population)
They are descended largely from Hakka who migrated from southern and northern Guangdong to Taiwan around the end of the Ming dynasty and the beginning of the Qing dynasty (ca. 1644).
Since they have lived here for hundreds years, much living culture remains and makes them different to their ancestors in Mainland China.
Hakka population distribution
The Hakka Circular Tower was build up in the reserved place for Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Miaoli station as a tourist spot.
The whole building, built with concrete and steel, mimics the shape of Fujian Tulou in Mainland China.
Even though the county government claimed it is a traditional Hakka building, it is actually not belongs to Taiwan Hakka people.
Circular tower in Fujian has been recognized as one of World Heritages.
The fortified outer structures are formed by compacting earth, mixed with stone, bamboo, wood and other readily available materials, to form walls up to 6 feet thick.
Branches, strips of wood and bamboo chips are often laid in the wall as additional reinforcement.
The result is a well-lit, well-ventilated, windproof and earthquake-proof building that is warm in winter and cool in summer.
Tulous usually have only one main gate, guarded by 4–5-inch-thick wooden doors reinforced with an outer shell of iron plate.
The top level of these earth buildings has gun holes for defensive purposes.
The high, round, and thick wall used to defense local rubbers.
However, this one in Miaoli is a pirate version of them, neither made by traditional crafts, nor a traditional building of Taiwan Hakka culture.
In fact, there were some Taiwan Hakka buildings right at this place, the Ancient Kilns.
Sadly, those historical, valueable culture relics still cannot survive from the process of mordernization.
You can get complete story of these kilns here.
We hope everyone coming here will learn more respect on traditional culture of relatively ethnic minorities.
Hakka Circular Tower
Open: 9:00 - 17:00 Mon. to Sun.
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