An exhibition showcasing Fujian Tulou from east China opened on Friday in Paris, France. Seven detailed models on display at the exhibition depict traditional Fujian tulou, a type of millennium-old rural dwelling built and inhabited by the Hakka people of southern Fujian Province. The buildings date back to the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties.

Tulou, which means "earthen building," derives its name from the gound-sourced material used to build these wall-enclosed, multistory structures.

In 2008, a total of 46 Fujian Tulou sites were designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

"People are very curious about the technology used to build tulou and the lifestyle of the residents, as well as the community lifestyle in the buildings, which is all fascinating," said Francis Rambert, director of the architectural creation department for Paris' Architecture and Heritage City.

With stone foundation and walls as thick as two meters, Fujian Tulou are remarkably secure, helping to protect residents from armed bandits that once plagued the mountainous region.

According to Rambert, the buildings present veritable treasure troves of research value, from their building material to the technology used to erect them and how they were used throughout history.

Rather than leaving them to sit idle, many tulou are now being used to help enrich the life of local residents as part of China's revitalization efforts.

"The restored use of Tulou does not just mean rebuilding these buildings or carefully protecting them as historical buildings. We want to preserve their appearance and their social concept, which is the most attractive part. [The modern utilization of Tulou] is an experiment about sociology, architecture, landscape architecture and rural life," Rambert said.