Guyaju's largest structure, Guantangzi the 'Golden Temple', has eight rooms over two floors with carved stone pillars, a central bed and stone stools — read as either a leader's palace or a place of worship. Found in 1984, the complex still has no datable evidence, so who built it remains unknown 🤔
Guantangzi "Golden Temple" and the undatable mystery of Guyaju
ChinaArchitecture
Site mentioned
Key facts
- The largest structure, situated at the highest point of the complex, is called Guantangzi (the 'Golden Temple') and comprises eight chambered rooms over two floors
- Guantangzi contains finely carved stone pillars, a large bed at the centre of the main hall, and stone desks and stools
- It has been interpreted both as the palace of the community's leader and as a place of worship
- The caves would originally have had a timber-frame facade, with thatched roofs or awnings in places; beam holes remain visible in the rock
- The site was discovered in 1984, and the archaeologist who found it dated it to between 1,000 and 2,000 years ago
- No datable archaeological evidence and no mention in any written historical record have been found at the site, so there is no academic consensus on its date
- One hypothesis attributes the caves to outlaws on the run or to a tribe of people during the Liao Dynasty (916-1125 AD)
- The site has been protected for more than 30 years and, as of 2016, was the largest cliff dwelling site found in China; it is now open to tourists
- Researchers do not know who built the complex or why its occupants left
Sources
Guyaju Cavesen.wikipedia.org
The Guyaju Caves are the largest cliff dwelling site found in China as of 2016. The site can be divided into two parts, the front ditch and the back ditch, ...
Around China: Guyaju Cave Complexkoryogroup.com
a complex of cave dwellings carved into granite cliff faces, and then abandoned by its builders and occupiers, more than 350 chambers
Guyaju Caves (Ancient Cliff Dwellings) - Beijingtravelchinaguide.com
Occupying over 24.7 acres (100,000 square meters) on the steep cliff, it is the largest site of an ancient cliff residence community in China.
Than 1000 Years Old, China's Guyaju Caves Has Over 350 ...curlytales.com
The name “Guantangzi,” which translates to “Golden Temple,” is given to the main complex at the Guyaju Caves. Over the course of two stories ...
The Guyaju Cavesheritagedaily.com
The largest and most complicated complex at Guyaju is called the “Guantangzi” meaning “Golden Temple”, a collection of 8 chambers divided over ...
Beijing: Guyaju Cave Dwellings with Optional Visitsgetyourguide.com
Upon arrival at Guyaju Cave Dwellings, admire 117 amazing ancient caves reportedly carved by the Xiyi ethnic minority during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).
Subterranea of China: Guyaju Cavesshowcaves.com
The 古崖居 (Guyaju Caves), also known as 延庆古崖居 (Yanqing Ancient Cliff House), are a series of 117 man-made caves cut into the soft rock of a cliff face.
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