Editor's Note:
Tuzhang houses are an architectural tradition unique to the Yi ethnic minority of Southwest China's Yunnan Province. Built of rammed earth, brick and wood along the slope of a hill, the roof of each house serves as the courtyard of the house above it. The result is an entire village that is architecturally linked together. The best preserved examples of tuzhang houses are in Chengzigu village, Luxi county.
Villagers go about their day on the courtyard-roofs of Chengzigu village on February 13, 2016. Photo: VCG figcaption >
Villagers walk in the fields below Chengzigu village on the morning of February 13, 2016. Photo: VCG figcaption >