To　avoid　the　overturning　hazard　of　high-rise　buildings　with　traditional　isolation　technology,　a　rock-slip　structure　with　cables　(RSSC)　was　proposed　to　improve　their　seismic　performance.　The　mechanical　model　was　established,　and　the　motion　behaviour　equation　of　the　RSSC　was　derived.　Shake-table　tests　of　the　RSSC　were　performed,　and　the　results　were　compared　with　the　corresponding　finite-element　model　simulations.　The　influences　of　key　structural　parameters　and　earthquake　motion　characteristics　were　analysed.　The　study　results　showed　that　the　RSSC　could　effectively　reduce　the　internal　seismic　force　response　and　interlayer　deformation　under　a　severe　earthquake,　as　well　as　decrease　the　overturning　probability.　The　seismic　reduction　effect　was　influenced　by　the　prestressed　force,　the　aspect　ratio　of　the　structure,　and　the　friction　coefficient　between　the　superstructure　and　foundation　as　well　as　seismic　site　type.　The　motion　equation　derived　in　this　paper　can　be　used　to　theoretically　predict　the　motion　behaviour　of　RSSC.