Ancient Cliff Dwellings Ruins

Ancient Cliff Dwellings Ruins

The Ancient Cliff Dwellings Ruins are located on the south bank of Zhangtang Stream and on the mid-level cliffs of Danxia Ridge. They are among the best-preserved of the more than ten cliff dwellings still existing in Wuyishan. Viewed from afar, the ruins cling to the cliffs dozens of meters above the ground, embedded within rock cavities halfway up the cliff — hidden from sunlight, suspended in midair, with treacherous rocks above and a deep abyss below, resembling a lofty pavilion in the sky. A closer look at the structures inside the caves reveals dozens of chambers, all constructed from wooden frames. Some are tucked deep within the cliffs, while others hang precariously from the edges, featuring hanging structures and stilt-style architecture. The rustic style resembles swallows’ nests attached to beams, reflecting the wisdom and courage of the ancient inhabitants of Wuyi.

According to inscriptions on the cliff within the dwellings, this structure was built in the seventh year of the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty (1857), when the Taiping Army entered Chongan from Jiangxi. Wealthy residents of Chongan hastily built shelters in various strategic and precipitous locations in Wuyishan. Zhong Yixi, a local gentry member from the southern part of the city, chose this spot and used a pulley system (a windlass) to hoist timber from the base of the cliff up to the narrow cave halfway up the rock face. He then constructed wooden buildings, side rooms, and storage chambers according to the terrain. After the Taiping Army had passed, wealthy families continued to live in these cliff dwellings until as late as the 26th year of the Guangxu era (1900). To this day, the original wooden components of the dwellings remain well-preserved, along with artifacts such as stone mortars, earthenware basins, and three sets of cliff inscriptions.