The tulou were first created by the Hakka people for protection. During the Jin dynasty, there were many wars between rival warlords. So, hundreds of people, grouped by surname, moved to Fujian to survive the devastation of war. The incomers (Hakka means "outsiders") settled unobtrusively in the hostile land which is now Fujian and began to plan their dwellings.
Set among fertile fields ideal, the huge earthen castles, around 10 metres high with three to five floors, have open courtyards inside and there is only one entrance, while outer windows are only above the second floor, preventing incursions by bandits. In this way they became impregnable fortresses.
The dwellings were made from materials easily found in the surrounding environment. A mixture of clay, ash and bran, reinforced by timber and bamboo was used to build the circular or square structures, then the walls, more than one metre in thickness, were built by repeatedly ramming earth until they were strong enough to survive typhoons, earthquakes and potential intruders. Even today, scientists and engineers are fascinated by the building techniques and puzzled how tulou have survived earthquakes virtually unharmed.
The dwellings are harmonised with the environment using the principles of Feng Shui and are astonishingly cool in summer and warm in winter. For the Hakka people, there can be no better home than the tulou.
The technically sophisticated architecture meets the needs of large communities perfectly. For example, Chengqi Tulou in Yongding County has ever 380 rooms, accommodating as many as 800 people. It is beneficial for the clan to live together enhancing their close relationships. In the tulou, children are educated and cared for by the whole community which considers itself a collective family. Everyone is a manager of the castle, strengthening the community in times of danger.
