The 9th BRICS Summit currently being held in China’s costal city of Xiamen has brought a new wave of tourists to the unique round residences known as tulou. Located in the mountains of the west and south of Fujian Province, earthen tulou can be circular, square, oblong or arched. They are famous not only for their shapes but also their rich, cultural history. Dating back to Song and Yuan dynasties (960-1368), the tulou were listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2008. Tianluokeng Tulou Complex is a group of five buildings located in Shangban village of Nanjing County, East China’s Fujian Province. Each floor of the three-story structures has a specific use: the ground floors are for kitchens, the second for grain storage, and the third are for bedrooms. Tulou walls are made from mud bricks. When viewed from above, the layout of the Tianluokeng Tulou Complex resembles a plum blossom. Photos: Li Hao/GT