1000 Years Old Houses Carved Out Of Rock: Guyaju Ruins

Guyaju ruins are a group of houses carved out of rock. The ruins are known as the largest site of Northern China showing ancient cave dwellings. They located in the village Dongmenying, near the city of Zhangshanying, in Yanqing County, north of Beijing municipality. The structure carved into the rock has been worked by a 1000 year old community that has left few historical traces. Archaeologists believe that the site dates back to the last period of the Tang Dynasty and the beginning of the Liao Dinasty. The work is attributed to a Mongolic steppe tribe called Kumo Xi. When the Tang dynasty collapsed the Xi rose in rebellion in 847, and were subsequently and disastrously defeated by Zhang Zhongwu. The Xi disbanded and they were betrayed and absorbed by the Khitan people and they eventually established the Liao Dynasty in 907. However, it is believed that when this tribe was on the run, they built here their home and they lived here for 30 years. The ruins look like a fortress in a canyon.

More info: china-underground.com