Dazu County, reputed as 'the county of rock carving' is located in the west of Chongqing City. It is 271 kilometers from Chengdu, and 167 kilometers from Chongqing.
History of Dazu Rock Carvings
Dazu Rock Carvings was built from 650 in the Tang Dynasty and continued to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911). It is as famous as the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Gansu Province. The rock carvings in these places are very distinguished both at home and abroad. Among the rock carvings, there are more than 50,000 statues and over 100,000 Chinese characters of inscriptions and epigraphs. The Buddhist statues dominate in this rock carving group, and the Taoist and the Confucian stone figures can also be seen.
What to see?
Dazu Rock Carvings contains all the cliffside carvings in Dazu County. The collection is composed of the rock carvings in Baodingshan, Nanshan, Beishan Shimenshan as well as Shizhuanshan, all of which are of the highest artistic attainment and demonstrate the most exquisite skills.
Baodingshan Rock Carving
Located in Baodingshan Town, it is 15 kilometers from the northeast of Dazu County. It is made up of 13 groups of stone carving figures, totaling nearly 10 thousand cliffside figures. In this part, magnificent rock figures in different shapes compose a story. One will see some original and ethnic Buddhist rock features.
Beishan Rock Carving
It is 2 kilometers away from the northwest of Dazu County. Figures in this part are something like 'an Assembly of Oriental Beauties', since it enjoys good preservation and elaborate craftsmanship. Tourists can see the graceful statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, crowned as 'the Oriental Venus'. Rock carvings in this part reveal the common Buddhist faith. Standing here for a while, one may feel that it is really a Buddhist palace.
Shimenshan Rock Carving
Located in Xinsheng Village of Shima Town, about 20 km from Dazu downtown, Shimenshan Rock Carving was carved in the period 1094-1151 during the South Song Dynasty. Shimenshan Rock Carving combines Buddhist and Taoist statues, but the later one predominates. In addition to these stone figures, there are also some inscriptions and remarks beside the figures. Representaion of some gods' figures are lifelike and vivid. For example, outside the niche of the Great Jade Emperor stands the statuary of Shun Feng Er, a favorable god having clairaudience. It looks as if he is looking into the distance. Besides, there is a figure of Qian Li Yan, a god that can see things happening in a thousand miles' distance. It looks as if he is listening attentively.
Nanshan Rock Carving
Standing at the southeast of Dazu County, the Taoism doctrine is the main theme in this part. Taoist gods' figures are carved vividly. The cave of Sanqing demonstrates the Taoist gods' ranking in the Song Dynasty (960－1279). Therefore, tourists will be impressed by these colorful clay creations.
Shizhuanshan Rock Carving
Shizhuanshan Rock Carving is 25 kilometers far from the southwest of Dazu County. The niche of Confucius and that of Lao Tzu can be seen here. Buddhist, Taoist and Confucius statues are integrated in this part which is quite rare in Chinese grotto art.
However, many statues show the Buddhist and the Confucius doctrines, particularly the filial piety. In 1999, Dazu Rock Carvings were ranked as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Nowadays, it attracts many thousands of tourists from home and abroad pay a visit.
Travel Tips
Add: Dazu County, Chongqing City
Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00
Entrance Fees: CNY 150