Usually of a circular configuration surrounding a central shrine. These vernacular structures were occupied by clan groups.
There are three types of tulou:
- The Wufeng has three halls and two side rooms and are said to be the result of a redesign of the Han courtyard.
- The oldest tulou are the rectangle ones, and the most emblematic ones are round. They are typically designed for defensive purposes and consist of one entrance and no windows at ground level.
- The biggest round one can have up to five stories with three interior rings. The largest houses cover over 40,000 m² and it is not unusual to find surviving houses of over 10,000 m². Most round tulous are three or four stories, with family kitchens and livestock on the ground floor. The next floor becomes a storage room for food and furniture (with no windows), and above that are the bedrooms.