As Crowds Flock to 'Injeungsat Myeongso Jeolbyeokbawi' Cliff Rock... Chinese Authorities Demolish It Completely

Rock Removed After No Trespassing Sign Proved Ineffective

Chinese authorities have completely demolished a cliff rock located in Anyang City, Henan Province, China, known as a popular spot for 'certification photos.' This was due to the influx of tourists in an area where even a slight misstep on the protruding part of the rock could result in a fall accident down the cliff.

According to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post and others on the 23rd, Chinese authorities removed part of the cliff in Anyang City, Henan Province, using an excavator breaker on the 12th.

Photo by Weibo

This cliff rock was called the 'rock that tests courage.' It was shaped with the tip protruding like a tongue. Despite its dangerously precarious structure where a single wrong step could lead to a fall into the void, it had become an essential course for tourists' certification photos in recent years. Every year, thousands of tourists sat on the edge of the cliff to take 'courage challenge' certification photos.

Last year, a no-entry sign was erected stating, "The rock is cracked. If an accident occurs, the individual is responsible," but it is known that some tourists ignored this and took certification photos anyway.

Online discussions arose regarding the authorities' removal of the cliff. Netizens expressed opinions such as "It is better to remove hazards in advance," while some countered, "Completely destroying a popular tourist spot for administrative convenience is a simplistic approach."

An online poll was also conducted asking for opinions on the government's decision. Among the voters, 22,000 agreed that the government’s decision was appropriate, while 7,300 disagreed.

Regarding the controversy, a government official explained, "Originally, this place was not an official tourist site," and "No staff was assigned to manage the cliff and rock." They added, "There were already cracks in the rock, and warning signs were posted, but since they were ineffective, there was no other choice," emphasizing, "Many people climbed the cliff rock to take photos, which is very dangerous behavior. This was to prevent any possible accidents in advance."