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Climate responsive strategies contained in traditional native dwellings can provide theoretical basis for the development of sustainable buildings. This study focused on a quantitative analysis of cliff-side cave dwellings located in cold region of China. Field measurements in summer and winter were carried out. Based on the monitoring data, thermal environment of the cave dwelling and thermal characteristics of the adobe massive building envelope were evaluated. Results showed that the cliff-side cave dwelling was well adapted to local environment for its good ability of thermal insulation under the natural conditions. Furthermore, in order to assess the whole annual thermal performance and thermal comfort level, numerical simulations on the cliff-side cave dwelling models was also performed using the software Energyplus. Results showed that 52.50% time of the year was comfortable of the living room. Meanwhile, some technical strategies of making full use of solar energy and natural ventilation was proposed in the end of this paper, which can provide technical support for the regeneration design of traditional residential buildings. • Cave dwellings with massive envelope adapt themselves to the local climate well. • 52.50% time of the year was comfortable of the cliff-side cave dwelling room. • Renewable energy using strategies on the vernacular cave dwelling were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]