In Guizhou province, Chen Tianming's 10-story, pyramid-shaped home stands defiantly amid the rubble of his demolished village. Authorities razed most of the area in 2018 to build a tourist resort, but Chen refused to leave. His towering structure, a labyrinth of staircases and balconies, has drawn comparisons to Hayao Miyazaki's fantastical creations.

Despite lacking building permits, Chen's unconventional home continues to grow, with higher floors swaying in the wind. Tethered by ropes to prevent it from floating away, the structure embodies his determination. 'People often say it's unsafe and should be demolished... but I'll definitely never let anyone tear it down,' Chen asserts.

Chen's 10-story home, with its rickety staircases and balconies, has been likened to the whimsical architecture found in Hayao Miyazaki's animated films.