Grotto Art in Dazu County

This is one of the most splendid masterpieces of rock carvings in ancient China. It was created in the late Song Dynasty (960-1234), which is a good reflection of the Buddhism culture. With 4,600 statues of various images, the entire grotto took more than 250 years to complete, which has been playing a significant role in the development of the Chinese grotto art.

 

This shinning statues group locates at the foot of Baoding Hill and North Hill, with the largest scale, the richest content, the best-preserved state, the most exquisite carving craftsman-ship and the highest in artistic value, which are fine examples of grotto sculpture in the late years of Chinese feudalism. They are primarily Buddhist cave sculptures noted for unusual domestic detail as well as purely religious themes. Among the rock carvings, the Buddhist statues dominate in this rock carvings group, and the Taoist and the Confucian stone figures can be seen as well.

The most outstanding of them are the "Thousand-Arm Goddess of Mercy" and the Sleeping Buddha. The former holds in her 1007 hands various objects such as Buddhist magic formulas, weapons of ancient times, musical instruments, jade ornaments, silk fabrics, production tools, and articles for daily use. Her arms and hands look exquisite and graceful in their myriad postures: raised or down, extended or withdrawn, relaxed or clenched etc. This fully shows the extraordinary talent and skill of ancient artists. The Sleeping Buddha is grand and imposing.

Other landscapes around the grotto make here a wonderful resort for a peaceful tour of cultural as well as sceneries. Temple of Sacred Longevity constructed at the foot of the Hill is made up of lofty halls and pavilions with double eaves and exquisite carvings. Weimo Hall stands at the top and houses a sleeping statue of Weimo, a lay Buddhist, and 77 round shrines with small Buddhist statues above a stone platform.

Opening Hours: 8:30 -- 16:00

Ticket Price: 120 CNY

Location: Dazu County, Chongqing City

Transportation: Shuttle bus from Caiyuanba Long-distance Bus Station in Chongqing will bring you here directly.