Yongding (China)

These huge, fortified, earthern structures are either round or square and form miniature towns, where numerous families were communally housed - sometimes up to 80 in the biggest Tulous!

Famous Tulous you can visit include Zhencheng, Yijing and Chengqilou. Situated in the village of Gaobei, the Chengqilou Tulou (nicknamed the 'King of Tulous') is the biggest in the region. Over 300 years old, it comprises of 400 rooms and can house up to 600 people.

Some background history. It was during the Cold War that the Americans detected the Tulous by satellite. They believed they housed nuclear warheads, until the CIA discovered that they were no more than living quarters. Since then China has promoted the cultural and touristic potential of Tulous.