Tu-lou house - Hukeng village - Hakka country near Xiamen, Fujian province (China)

• Contributor: Delphotos / Alamy Stock Photo
• Image ID: CE8E36
• File size: 24.6 MB (1.5 MB Compressed download)
• Releases: Model - no | Property - no
• Dimensions: 3820 x 2250 px | 32.3 x 19.1 cm | 12.7 x 7.5 inches | 300dpi
• Date taken: 13 June 2010
• Location: Hukeng village - Hakka country near Xiamen, Fujian province (China)

More information

The Hakka of Fujian province are famous for having developed a unique form of architecture known as tu lou, literally meaning earthen structures. The tu lou are round or square and were designed as a combined large fortress and multi-apartment building complex. The structures typically had only one entrance-way, with no windows at ground level. Each floor served a different function: the first floor contained a well and livestock, the second food storage, and the third and higher floors living spaces. Tu-lou were built to withstand attack from bandits and marauders.