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In The Mountains Of Wuchuan, In Guizhou, A House That Was An Ancient Temple Ruin Was Rediscovered On A Peak Surrounded By Cliffs. The Guardian, Surname Yu, Says He Has Been Protecting The Place Since 1996. Without Electricity, He Faces Steep Trails, Waterfalls, Tombs, And Unstable Walls. The Journey Includes 800 Steps And A Canyon.
A lonely house was seen high on Mount Liantai, in Wuchuan, Guizhou, surrounded by steep cliffs and an emptiness that intimidates even before the ascent begins. The site, described as the ruin of an ancient temple, remains under the care of an 83-year-old man.
According to the guardian himself, whose surname is Yu, he has protected the house and the temple since 1996, after witnessing the abandonment and deciding to rebuild what was possible. Without electricity and with intense cold in the winter, he lives among the ruins, silence and a path that requires total attention.
Where The House Is And Why The Scenery Is Impressive
The house is in the depths of the Wuchuan mountains, in the Chinese province of Guizhou, on an isolated peak surrounded by cliffs.
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The impression is that the building has been forgotten by the world: a narrow top, scattered ruins, and the abyss as a permanent neighbor.
The team that visited the site described this as their third time in the region, but on a different route, following the guardian to even more remote areas.
Even when appearing close in a straight line, the actual walk is long and requires crossing the canyon terrain, going down and up repeatedly.
The 83-Year-Old Guardian And The Routine Of A House Without Electricity
The elderly man, identified by the surname Yu, claims to be over 80 years old and says he has been guarding the temple for almost 30 years, counting back to 1996.
He mentioned that he decided to renovate the house to provide shelter when he saw teachers and students soaked by the rain, without lanterns and unable to cross the cliff.
Without electricity, the house relies on portable lighting. He mentioned using a rechargeable lamp that lasts about 8 hours, purchased by his son in Guiyang, and stated that he acquired five units.
In winter, he avoids sleeping in the house due to the cold, since the wind enters through cracks and the insulation is minimal.
The Path Of 800 Steps, The Canyon, And The Margin Of Error
The very journey to the house reveals why the place seems inaccessible.
The guardian described a sequence that involves descending and ascending, with a great number of steps, passing through a canyon and reaching the bottom of the valley before resuming the ascent.
The trail includes steep sections, with cliffs above and below.
He also reported caring for the roads, sweeping and cutting grass, and has opened zigzag sections to reduce the risk in areas where the path could not be straight.
Those walking there realize that a slip is not just a scare, it is a tragedy, because the fall would be straight to the bottom of the valley.
Ruins Around The House And Signs Of A Difficult-To-Date Past
The guardian stated that the recorded history of the temple dates back to the time of Zhu Yuanzhang, the Taizu Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, although he himself claims not to know the exact age of the complex.
The area around the house has stele and monuments very worn, with illegible parts, and there are mentions of records from periods such as Daoguang and Xianfeng.
Tombs associated with monks from previous dynasties were also described, as well as destroyed structures and broken and stolen steles.
Amidst the ruins, there is a sign of cultural protection at the county level, and the general perception is of a space that was once larger but is now dominated by exposed foundations, scattered bricks, and walls that have lost stability.
Inside The House, Reconstruction With His Own Hands And Objects Of Devotion
The house in which the guardian lived part of the time would have been rebuilt by him after finding everything collapsed.
He said he repurposed materials and fallen bricks and emphasized that the work was done with mud, not cement.
He also identified himself as a carpenter when he was younger and pointed out everyday items and structural parts that he had assembled.
Inside, religious images and figures were described, including the Jade Emperor, Taishang Laojun, God of Wealth, Bodhisattva Guanyin, in addition to references to Sakyamuni and Maitreya.
Some pieces appear cracked, and the house holds simple utensils, a sleeping area, and a kitchen space, reinforcing the routine of survival in isolation.
The Other House At The Top, On The Brink Of Collapse And Absolute Silence
In addition to the main temple, there is a smaller house even higher up, at a point that requires climbing with hands and feet.
Those who arrive report that the structure is worse than in previous visits, with parts that have pulled away from the wall, protective roof already fallen, and wood showing signs of deterioration.
The surrounding scenery amplifies the sense of risk: sharp mountains, deep valley, waterfall in the background in lower volume season, and the distant village visible on the horizon, where the guardian says he lives when he descends.
At the top, the house seems suspended between ruins and emptiness, reinforcing the idea of a place that resists more by human habit than by any comfort.
Do you think this house should continue to be cared for by a single person, or has it already passed the time for someone to take responsibility for this isolated place?
Valores e Concepções,Extremamente Elevadas,de Milênios, Trancedendo a Pequenez, Ainda, Gritante da Pessoa Humana, Mais Perdida,do Que Gestões Ultra Falidas do Momento Presente, Que se Insinuam, Definitivamente, A Esmo.