Settled in the mountainous southwest of the Fujian province, these communities are known as Tulou and are essentially fortresses built in either square or round shapes. Structures typically had only one entrance way and no windows at ground level, and a building could withstand a protracted siege by being well-equipped with food and an internal source of water; they also often had their own sophisticated sewage systems.
Built from either stone bricks or more commonly rammed earth, these spectacular structures have walls up to six feet thick and measure three to four stories in height. The largest houses covered over 430,000 sq feet and today it is not unusual to find surviving houses of over 110,000 sq feet, each able to house up to 80 families.
The Tulou are a true testament to the richness that can be found in China, and an example of the efficiency, value and benefit that can be derived from a collective style of habitation. In 2008, UNESCO granted the Tulou “apartments” World Heritage Status, citing the buildings as exceptional examples of a unique and functional building tradition.
Via Global Post
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[...] he had the idea to combine the school with a pedestrian bridge that connected two historic toulou (circular castles made from packed dirt). A creek runs right through the middle of the village and the toulou serve as important historical [...]
Self sustaining? Where’s the crop production? Having food storage areas is no more self-sustaining than a modern house with a fridge and presses.
Most of the Tulous currently suffer from poor maintenance and hygiene problems. An entire clan would live in one single Tulou. Contrary to the peaceful idyllic appearance, neighboring tulou may be hostile to each other, i.e they are essentially segregated communities. Modern day hakka youths do not want to live in them and are shifting to the city.
Just to put some things into perspective.
Those are neat.