Abstract: Taking the emic approach of anthropology and based on the fieldwork in Chengzhong Cun (villages in town) in the city of Xiamen， this paper describes and analyzes indepth the investments on private buildings (i.e.， violation constructions). In order to get a better understanding of the emergence of violation constructions， we try to discover the rationality behind the social phenomena of ruleignoring constructions， chaotic constructions， alienation of buildings， and mutual imitations in Chengzhong Cun. We also try to reflect upon the limitations in the studies of violation constructions.

Key words: the emic approach, investing action, rationality, violation constructions