Village in a Castle: Life Behind Fortress Walls | Habitats of the World: China

This documentary takes viewers to Fujian Province, on the southeast coast of China, home to the Hakka people. Descended from the Han, who migrated from northern China over a thousand years ago to escape invasions by Central Asian nomads, the Hakka settled in this mountainous region of fertile plains. Here, they built the tulous—impressive communal homes made of rammed earth. These fortress-like structures were designed for both living and defense, offering protection to entire clans while fostering a close-knit community. The towers stand as a testament to the Hakka people’s ingenuity and their deep connection to the land that sustains them.