The man who has lived for 50 years in a refuge isolated from civilization: “Loneliness is not a problem”
He lives in a cave in the mountains, with his own water and electricity, leading a self-sufficient life apart from the rest of the world.
Deep in the mountains of Lichuan, China, Yang has found what he considers the perfect refuge. He has lived alone for 50 years in a home built into the mouth of a cave, invisible from the road despite being just 300 meters away. To some, it is a forgotten shack in the middle of nowhere. To others, it is a legendary “hermit’s refuge,” hidden in thick woodland and tucked beneath a cliff face.
Yang’s story came to light through a video published on YouTube by content creator Qingyunji, who specializes in documenting life in China’s remote mountain regions. In the video, the dwelling appears to be little more than a crack in the rock. Once inside, however, it is revealed to be a solid structure of stone, adobe, and wood, carefully adapted to the natural shape of the cliff.
“It was built little by little. It has never been renovated. They simply use the grass that grows right here,” Qingyunji explains during her visit. “The location is perfect,” Yang says with conviction. The cave acts as a natural shield. In winter it retains warmth, and in summer it stays cool, creating a stable microclimate throughout the year. It also protects against wind and heavy rain, allows sunlight to enter freely, and avoids dampness. “If humidity were a problem, even the plaster would fall apart,” Yang notes with a smile.
A family home for a century
Unsurprisingly, many viewers were eager to learn more about the history of the refuge, which is neither recent nor improvised. Yang’s family settled in the cave nearly 100 years ago, likely seeking safety from conflict or simply the peace of the mountains. After his parents died, his five siblings moved to nearby towns, leaving Yang as the last remaining resident. For him, spending five decades there has not been a sacrifice. “Loneliness is not a problem,” he says. It is part of the balance he seeks, and the narrow 300-meter path to the road allows just enough connection with the outside world when he needs it.
His life is a clear example of self-sufficiency and closeness to nature. The water he uses comes from natural pools and seepage inside the cave, which he stores in several containers. There is never a shortage. He also has electricity, connected to a nearby utility pole after paying for the service. For cooking and heating water, he relies on a wood-burning stove, fueled by firewood he gathers himself.
In the past, Yang raised cows and pigs in pens that still stand nearby. Today, he prefers tending a small garden where he grows medicinal plants without pesticides. He harvests and sells them in nearby towns, earning enough to cover his basic needs.
“The cave is my home,” Yang says in the video, which shows a life far calmer and simpler than that of most people. He plans to continue living there for many years to come, remaining faithful to a way of life that, by his own account, makes him genuinely happy.
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