‘Too dangerous! So we smashed it’: China’s famous ‘Test of Courage’ cliff edge removed for safety after cracks from daredevil tourists taking photos appear
- Test of Courage cliff rock is popular with mountaineers and tourists who compare it to Norway’s famous Troll’s Tongue, a similar rock formation
- Mainland social media is divided over the decision, with some saying it had to go, but others say it should have been fenced off instead
Authorities in central China have removed a section of overhanging cliff popular with tourists who congregate at its edge and pose for selfies due to safety concerns.
The natural overhang, famously known as “Test of Courage Rock” on mainland social media, is located in a suburban area of Anyang, in Henan province and has no restrictions such as fencing to prevent public access, the Beijing Youth Daily reported.
The hiking route to the rock is easily found online and pictures and videos of people posing on it are common on social media, the Post found.
“It is not a tour zone. No staff are allocated to manage the cliff and the rock,” an anonymous local committee official said.
01:51
‘Daredevil stone’ in China destroyed after overwhelming popularity
“A lot of people climb the rock to take photos. It’s too dangerous! So we smashed it, fearing accidents would happen there.”
The official said a sign warning people not to climb the rock erected at the site last year had no effect.