Qingshan Cliff Tomb Cluster

Qingshan Cliff Tomb Cluster

The Qingshan Cliff Tomb Cluster is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

As one of the famous historic sites in Linli, the Qingshan Cliff Tomb Cluster was designated as part of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level by the State Council in 2013. Located on the southern bank of the Li River, about 35 kilometers north of Linli County, the cluster is grand in scale and spectacular in appearance. It lies just 100 meters from the Qingshan Dam ship lock, facing the Li River, with the Linyang Plain across the water. It is 20 kilometers east of Lixian County and 15 kilometers west of Shimen County. This area marks the final stretch of the Li River as it enters the plain, where the last cluster of hills stands — locally referred to as "Dongziyan." The Qingshan Cliff Tomb Cluster is carved into a loose red sandstone cliff. These tombs were artificially excavated, mostly featuring a consistent structure — either rectangular or square in shape. The width of the tomb ceiling and floor is generally the same. The entire cliff face has a slope between 80 to 90 degrees, with all tombs distributed along a 50-meter-high and 180-meter-wide section of the cliff. There are a total of 104 caves of varying sizes, divided into two types: one type consists of two chambers, with the rear chamber being about 40 centimeters higher than the front on a raised platform; the other type is a single-chamber tomb. Among them, Tomb M66 is unique, featuring four chambers and extending approximately 10.4 meters deep, with each successive chamber being about 40 centimeters higher than the previous one on a raised platform. The front chambers of neighboring Tombs M65 and M67 connect to that of M66. Tomb M65 is about 40 centimeters higher than M67, and M67 is about 40 centimeters higher than M66, forming a stepped pattern from left to right. In addition to having side entrances connecting to the neighboring tombs, Tomb M66 is the only one with side chambers; all others are single-chambered without side rooms.

The Qingshan Cliff Tombs hang above a deep abyss on sheer cliffs — how the coffins were placed there has always been a mystery. A local legend adds an air of mystique: it is said that Lü Dongbin and Tieguaili traveled across the sea to the vast 800-li Dongting Lake, then journeyed westward up the Li River. One day, they arrived in the Qingshan area, where they found ancient trees towering above and birds chirping all around — a rare serene spot. Inspired, they set up a chess game on a platform along the cliffside, planning to play for 49 days to determine the winner. However, on the 48th day, Tieguaili, growing impatient, was outmaneuvered by Lü Dongbin. Frustrated and angry, Tieguaili angrily jabbed 104 holes into the cliff. He then scattered the remaining chess pieces onto the nearby Ping (field), where soldiers and horses landed and began to settle, giving rise to life on this fertile, water-surrounded land. The ancestors planted radishes — leftover from the immortals’ drinking snacks — as seeds. The sun shone on the radishes, turning them bright red, which is why the radishes of Dongziping are red to this day. To honor the two immortals, many ancestors chose to be buried at Dongziyan after their death, so they could listen to the eternal sound of the Li River flowing eastward and watch over their descendants. A total of 104 ancestors were laid to rest at Dongziyan.

During the second national cultural relics survey in 1983, the red sandstone cliffs above the water near the Qingshan Hydraulic Pumping Station on the Li River drew the attention of cultural relics workers due to the presence of numerous caves of various sizes. Prior to this, locals had believed these were ancient human dwellings, as some caves featured smaller chambers within larger ones, resembling the layout of bedrooms and kitchens. During the construction of the Qingshan Pump, some larger caves were even used as storage rooms or living quarters. Decayed coffins found inside were simply discarded into the Li River. After this survey, the county’s cultural relics department organized a special investigation of the Qingshan Cliff Tombs. Perhaps due to the collapse and accumulation of red sandstone that raised the riverbed and reduced the difficulty of accessing the tombs, few valuable artifacts remained inside. Eventually, only a small number of Han and Jin dynasty bronze coins were found, leading to the preliminary conclusion that the Qingshan Cliff Tombs were excavated during the Han and Jin periods. In 2005, further investigations by Linli County cultural relics workers uncovered additional items such as Wu Zhu coins, bottle-shaped glass beads, and yellow-blue glass beads, along with human skeletal remains of varying sizes in each tomb chamber. In 2013, detailed surveys, explorations, and excavations conducted jointly by the Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and the Linli County Cultural Relics Bureau unearthed a large number of artifacts. The cliff tombs were long mistaken as dwellings for immortals or ancient people. Local legends about these tombs remain rooted in the simple tales of ancient times, creating a surreal sense of timelessness. Modern archaeological discoveries have begun to unveil some of the mysteries of these cliff burials, but we can't help but marvel at the wisdom of the ancients — much of which remains beyond the reach of modern humans. Technology has liberated humanity, yet certain human potentials may have declined in the process. Whether a blessing or a curse, only future generations will judge.

The Qingshan Cliff Tomb Cluster is currently the largest, earliest, and most clearly dated cliff tomb cluster confirmed in our province. It comprises over 100 tombs of varying sizes, clustered together in a contiguous area. Archaeological excavations and research indicate that the earliest tombs in the Qingshan Cliff Tomb Cluster were excavated no later than the Han and Jin periods. Their structure and artifacts are largely similar to those of the Han and Jin cliff tombs in Leshan, Sichuan. Such large-scale artificial cliff tombs are extremely rare in Hunan Province, and the discovery of this cluster provides valuable material for the study of artificial cave cliff tombs in the Li River basin.

The unique burial style of the Qingshan Cliff Tomb Cluster holds significant value for the study of ancient Chinese funeral customs. Located at the crossroads of Chu and Ba cultures, the cluster is surrounded by large Chu tombs and also shows elements of Ba culture. The burial custom of cliff tombs differs greatly from the traditional pit burials of the ancient Chu and Ba cultures and other indigenous funeral practices in China. The Qingshan Cliff Tomb Cluster provides important material for studying this distinctive burial custom.

The Qingshan Cliff Tomb Cluster is of great value for the study of ancient Chinese engineering techniques. Its grand scale, massive workload, and location on the sandstone cliffs along the Li River demonstrate the ancient artisans’ sophisticated techniques and achievements in organizing large-scale projects and carving rock.

The Qingshan Cliff Tomb Cluster offers unique sightseeing value. Carved into the cliffs along the Li River and set against a mountain-water backdrop, the variously shaped caves are arranged in a unified yet varied composition. The ancient Ba people’s reverence for life, ancestors, and nature — as well as their awe of the divine — is reflected in the spiritual world of the cliff tombs. Visiting the site offers a profound sense of mystery and holds certain tourist appeal.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Hunan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level