The Guyaju Caves in Beijing’s Yanqing District comprise 117 rock-cut caves and about 350 chambers on Tianhuang Mountain, roughly 80 km northwest of the capital. Carved into quartz sandstone and conglomerate, the multi-level chambers average 1.7–1.8 metres high and include kang beds and drainage systems, with some linked by rock-cut stairs. 🏔️
Guyaju Caves: 117 rock-cut caves and 350 chambers near Beijing
ChinaArchitecture
Site mentioned
Key facts
- The complex comprises 117 caves and about 350 chambers, covering roughly 24.7 acres (100,000 square metres).
- It is carved into quartz sandstone and conglomerate—not solid granite—on Tianhuang Mountain in Yanqing District, roughly 80 km northwest of Beijing.
- The site is divided into upper and lower cave groups; most chambers were dwellings.
- Chambers are mainly square or rectangular, with some circular examples. They range from single-room to two- or three-room units, sometimes on multiple levels.
- Chambers average 1.7–1.8 metres high and are about 1–6 metres deep. Floor plans range from 3 to 20 square metres, with walls about 30 cm thick.
- Features include entrances, windows, kang beds, flues, lamp stands, storage niches and drainage. Densely packed chambers are linked by rock-cut stairs, ladders and bridges.
- The complex includes rainwater-collecting roof slots and stands beside a natural spring. Small rock-cut stables could accommodate four or five horses.
- One estimate puts the excavation effort at about 100 workers working for five years. The caves have been compared with rock-cut dwellings in Turkey, Italy and Spain.
Sources
Around China: Guyaju Cave Complexkoryogroup.com
The whole distance to walk is just 1.5 kilometers and one hour is sufficient to do this. None of it is particularly difficult, although it does ...
Guyaju Cavesen.wikipedia.org
There are 350 chambers inside of the complex's 117 caves. This more elaborate residence has 8 rooms and is supported by columns cut from the rock.
Guyaju cliff dwellings in Yanqing, exploring China's first mazeus.trip.com
The largest cave is over 20 sq m, with stone pillars in the center, which archaeologists speculate was a council hall or the leader's residence.
Guyaju Caves (Ancient Cliff Dwellings) - Beijingtravelchinaguide.com
Although the stone rooms are generally rectangular, there are some that are square or round, about 5.6 to 5.9 feet (1.7 to 1.8 meters) in height ...
Guyaju Caves : The ancient stone village in China that ...thevintagenews.com
Guyaju Caves, or in translation – Ancient Cliff Dwellings, is a complex of massive ancient caves stretching over 24.7 acres (100,000 square ...
The Guyaju Cavesheritagedaily.com
The Guyaju Caves, also known as the Yanqing Ancient Cliff House, is a rock-cut complex of honeycomb caves carved into the slopes of the ...
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.
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).
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