Shaoshi Fort Cluster

Shaoshi Fort Cluster

The Shaoshi Fort Cluster is a cultural heritage site protected by Qujiang District.

The Shaoshi Fort Cluster is located in the northeastern part of Qujiang County, spanning multiple towns. It dates back to the Song and Qing dynasties, covering a total area of 150 square kilometers, stretching from Zhoutian Town in the east to Daqiao Town in the south, from Aisai Village of Lishi Town in the west to Renmian Stone in Huangkeng Town in the north. The site includes 30 ancient mountain forts and seven cliffside temples. These forts were constructed by villagers over different eras on perilous mountaintops or cliffs to escape social unrest. Well-preserved examples include Pinggongshi Fort, Longgai Fort, Ma’an Fort, Jigong Fort, Dayu Gong Fort, among others, where gateways, wells, and sections of walls remain. Among these, Longgai Fort is the most strategically positioned—built atop a 100-meter-high summit surrounded by sheer cliffs. Pinggongshi Fort utilizes a natural cave within a cliff, with its entrance concealed between steep rock faces. Above the doorway is carved the inscription “Pinggongshi Fort.” The cave-fort stretches 170 meters in length, 5.5 meters in width, and 3–20 meters in height, and features a stone mortar used for grain processing. The cliffside temples, built by monks and Taoist priests, include Jin Gui Yan (Golden Turtle Cliff), Yong Quan Yan (Gushing Spring Cliff), Chuan Long Yan (Pierced Cliff), Da Luo Yan (Drum Cliff), Jin Long Yan (Golden Dragon Cliff), and Tai Yang Yan (Sun Cliff). Among these, the Jinlongyan Temple and Taiyangyan Temple are relatively well preserved. The Jinlongyan Temple houses a cliff carving titled “Record of the Sacrificial Street,” dated to the sixth year of the Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty (1013 AD), and the “Jin Gui Cliff Inscription,” dated to the fourth year of the Zhenghe era (1114 AD), though both are now faint and difficult to read. The Chuanlongyan Temple’s Buddha hall and monk quarters have collapsed, but several cliff inscriptions remain, one dating to the fourth year of the Xining era (1071 AD). The Yongquanyan Temple retains an altar and incense burner; two stone tables are inscribed with dates from the 25th year of the Wanli era (1597 AD) and the 8th year of the Chongzhen era (1635 AD) of the Ming Dynasty, while the incense burner is marked with the year 1609 AD (Yiyou Year of the Wanli era). The Daluo Yan Temple features a poem inscribed on the wall of its Buddha hall: “The fort was originally named Daluo, With jagged peaks and towering cliffs so bold. The solemn temple commands our awe, A quiet study perfect for thought’s law. The spring’s melody resembles lute’s sweet tone, Birdsong blends harmoniously with flute’s moan. Fleeing the chaos of this troubled age, I dwell above the clouds, in joy unbound.” Additionally, there are hermit-inhabited caves such as Hedogou and Shufangyan, with Hedogou featuring an inscribed couplet at its entrance.

In 1984, the People’s Government of Qujiang County designated some of the ancient forts and cliffside temples as cultural heritage protection sites.