Ancient Cliff Dwellings Ruins

　　The Ancient Cliff Dwellings Ruins are situated on the south bank of Zhangtang Stream and halfway up Danxia Cliff. Among the more than ten cliff dwellings that still exist in Wuyishan, these are the best preserved. Viewed from afar, the dwellings are embedded in rock caves halfway up the cliff, dozens of meters above the ground, hidden from sunlight and unattached to the earth, with perilous rocks overhead and a deep abyss below—like a lofty pavilion suspended in midair. A closer look at the cave structures reveals dozens of wooden-framed rooms of various sizes, some tucked deep inside while others cling to the cliff edge. These hanging and stilted buildings feature an ancient style, resembling swallows’ nests attached to beams, showcasing the wisdom and courage of the ancient people of Wuyi.

　　According to cliff inscriptions found within the dwellings, the structure was built in the seventh year of the Xianfeng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1857), when the Taiping Army entered Chongan from Jiangxi. Wealthy residents of Chongan hastily constructed shelters in various perilous locations across Wuyishan. Zhong Yixi, a local gentry from the southern part of the city, chose this spot and used a pulley system (a well windlass) to hoist timber from the base of the cliff up to the narrow cave halfway up. He then built wooden rooms, side chambers, and storage spaces against the cliff face. Even 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 reign (1900). To this day, the wooden components of the dwellings remain largely intact, along with artifacts such as stone mortars, earthenware basins, and three cliff inscriptions.