Fujian's Tulou are unique, usually round, fort-like buildings built with clay and sandy soil.These were built by the Hakka minority as large fortresses and has been designated by UNESCO as a cluster of World Heritage Sites. Because of their large round shapes in clusters, satellite pictures produced great speculation during the Cold War to be China's nuclear missile silos!Today, the earth buildings are one of Fujian Province's top tourist attractions,and most of the residents are involved in tourism, instead of farming.The buildings are usually constructed round, but there are some square ones. They usually have 2- 4 floors, and with 2-3 inner rings of buildings. Tulou had two main functions: communal living and defense. Each building usually holds the extended family of a single Hakka clan. Family areas were the same size and shape and everyone lived under the same roof sharing communal areas.

The tulou or earthen houses was built to ward off intruders and wild animals. Approximately 600 people can stay in one tulou. The tulou is built with earthen walls and they have a common area in the centre where the wells are, in which the occupants obtain water for drinking/washing/cooking and also a place for adult and children to meet and chat. The one I visited has 5 levels. Its amazing how the tulou is being built and the size of it.