Gao Tiankeng Village

Gao Tiankeng Village

Located on a mountain over 600 meters above sea level, Gao Tiankeng Village is a natural village under Zhenzikeng Village, Changhong Township, Kaihua County. It is the highest-altitude and best-preserved pristine ancient village in Kaihua, as well as the most remote mountain village in Changhong Township. With its simple earthen tile walls, magical ancient covered bridges, and untouched secondary forests, it offers a pristine natural landscape.

Gao Tiankeng gained fame thanks to a group of photographers who were among the first to “discover” it. Over a decade ago, they trekked through the mountains to reach this highland village and captured every moment of this ancient settlement through their lenses. In spring, pear blossoms bloom; in summer, the starry sky shines brilliantly; in autumn, the air is crisp and clear; in winter, the land is blanketed in snow. Amid rapid urbanization, Gao Tiankeng has preserved its rare natural beauty.

Entering Changhong Township from National Highway 205, you’ll gradually encounter pastoral scenes—fields, rivers, forests, springs, peculiar rocks, streams, and waterfalls. The air is filled with the refreshing scent of nature. The surrounding environment is picturesque, with various scenic spots along the way for visitors to enjoy.

Running through Changhong Township is the Bijia River. Following the Bijia River Corridor all the way forward, you’ll reach Xiawu Village. Make a right turn onto a side path in the village, and you’ll arrive at the foot of Gao Tiankeng Mountain.

In September 2013, due to the well-preserved ancient architectural complex in Gao Tiankeng Natural Village, it was designated as a photography creation base by the Kaihua County Photographers Association. With its simple earthen tile walls, magical ancient covered bridges, and untouched secondary forests… you can walk along dirt paths, accompanied by the sound of streams between houses, passing one cottage after another.

The village’s sun-drying culture is also particularly interesting. You’ll see pumpkins, chili peppers, corn, and rice grains laid out to dry in reds, yellows, and greens, creating a vibrant and colorful scene.

Autumn here is especially lively and full of delicious treats. You can spot various farming activities everywhere—shelling beans, rubbing corn, making mochi—and enjoy authentic rural snacks such as mochi cakes, tofu pudding, and steamed rice cakes.

Of course, Gao Tiankeng also has a unique charm—the starry sky.

Upon closer inspection, the village isn’t very large. Most houses are built with brick and wood structures, their exterior walls uniformly coated in yellow mud with black tiles, giving them an old, even somewhat dilapidated, look without renovations. At the entrance to the back mountain, a tall and majestic thousand-year-old yew tree stands like a guardian, quietly watching over generation after generation of Gao Tian villagers…

Transportation:

Gao Tiankeng is a small village that has not yet been fully developed. Its isolation and primitiveness stem from limited transportation access. However, roads have now been built, and it is accessible by self-driving.

Taihu Dongshan Scenic Area

Gulangyu Modern Architectural Complex

Dongshan Forest Park (Yuhua Shengjing)