A Citadel on the Mushroom Rock: The Sky City of Baoshan Stone Town

A City Built on a Single Stone

1.Hidden deep within the Jinsha: River (Yangtze) canyon, about 120 kilometers north of Lijiang, lies one of the most architectural marvels of the Naxi people: Baoshan Stone Town. Unlike typical ancient towns spread across flat plains, this village is perched precariously on a colossal, mushroom-shaped rock that rises from the canyon floor. The rock formation is naturally defensive, with vertical cliffs dropping hundreds of meters on three sides down to the turbulent river below, leaving only the southern side connected to the mountain by a narrow path. From a distance, it looks like a "Sky City" floating in the gorge, a testament to the ingenuity of human survival in extreme environments. Covering an area of just 0.5 square kilometers at an altitude of 1,720 meters, this settlement is a living museum of the Naxi minority's resilience and architectural prowess, often overshadowed by the fame of Lijiang Old Town but offering a far more primitive and authentic experience,.

The Legacy of Kublai Khan

2.The history of Baoshan Stone: Town is etched into the rugged landscape. It was established during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, around 1253 AD. Legend and history intertwine here; it is said that Kublai Khan, the founding emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, crossed the Jinsha River near this spot on leather rafts during his conquest of the Dali Kingdom. The Naxi ancestors, seeking a defensible position in these turbulent times, chose this solitary rock as their fortress. They fortified the natural cliffs with stone walls, creating an impregnable citadel where "one man guarding the pass could hold off ten thousand." For centuries, this isolation allowed the Naxi culture to flourish undisturbed, preserving ancient traditions that have largely vanished elsewhere,.

Living Inside the Stone

3.What makes Baoshan Stone: Town truly unique is how its inhabitants have integrated their lives into the rock itself. The village is not just built on stone; it is carved out of it. In many households, the foundations, pillars, walls, and even furniture are hewn directly from the bedrock. It is common to find stone beds, stone pillows, stone tables, stone benches, and stone water vats that are part of the mountain itself. This "stone-centric" lifestyle is a rare cultural phenomenon, reflecting a philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature. The houses, with their tiled roofs and wooden walls, seem to grow organically out of the cliffs, creating a harmonious blend of grey stone and warm wood against the backdrop of the canyon,.

The Miracle of Terraced Fields

Despite the harsh, rocky terrain, the Naxi people have cultivated a thriving agricultural life. Surrounding the stone citadel are steep slopes transformed into lush terraced fields. These fields are irrigated by an ingenious system that channels water from the high mountains down to the crops of wheat, rice, and corn. In the spring (March to May), the terraces turn into a sea of green wheat or golden rapeseed flowers; in autumn (September to November), they display the golden hues of harvest. The contrast between the stark, imposing stone village and the vibrant, fertile fields creates a visual masterpiece that photographers cherish. The view from the village looking down at the emerald belt of the Jinsha River winding through the canyon is simply breathtaking,.

A Journey Back in Time

4.Entering Baoshan Stone: Town requires passing through its only entrance: a narrow Stone Gate located on the southern side. Stepping through this gate feels like traveling back in time. The internal alleys are narrow, winding stone paths worn smooth by centuries of footsteps and horse hooves. There are no cars here, only the sounds of daily life—chickens clucking, dogs barking, and the distant roar of the river. The village retains a profound silence and simplicity found in few other places. Visitors can explore the ancient defensive walls, marvel at the "Sky Ladder" paths, and witness the daily routines of the Naxi people, who continue to live much as their ancestors did, protected by their stone fortress and the surrounding mountains,.