Dazu Rock Carvings: Chongqing Travel, Chongqing Tours

Last Update : 4/2/2008 3:12:30 AM: The Dazu (meaning 'harvest and abundance') Rock Carvings is the general name for over one-hundred cliff grottoes scattered throughout Dazu County, 130 kilometers (80 miles) northwest of Chongqing City. Included amongst these grottoes are the carvings in Beishan, Baodingshan, Nanshan, Shimenshan and Shizhuanshan.
Last Update : 4/2/2008 3:12:19 AM: The construction of these grottoes began during the early Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) and reached its height during the later Tang and the Five Dynasties and Ten States (907 - 979) periods. The elaborate carvings depict a wide range of subjects from Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian stories to scenes from the daily life of everyday people. They are considered representative examples of later-period Chinese grotto art. All in all, there are 60,000 statue carvings and 100,000 inscriptions. Among these, the carvings in Beishan and Baodingshan are the most famous.
Last Update : 4/2/2008 3:12:36 AM: Two kilometers (over one mile) outside the county, the construction of the Beishan Carvings began in 892 during the late Tang dynasty and was completed during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 - 1279). Two hundred and ninety cliff grottoes wind their way for five hundred meters (1,640 feet) and contain over 7,000 statues. The carvings are typical works of Buddha statues and Taoist and Confucian figures.
Last Update : 4/2/2008 3:12:45 AM: The Baodingshan Carvings, also called Dafowan (Big Buddha Gulf) are located 15 kilometers (9 miles) northeast of Dazu County. Here a series of lofty grotto carvings are engraved on three sides of 5 to 15 meter high (16 - 50 feet) U-shaped mountain cliffs depicting nineteen groups of continuous Buddhist stories. The vivid carvings present both the wisdom of Chinese Buddhism and the refined technique of Buddhist carvings. In 1999, it was listed by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site.

Admission Fee:	CNY 123 (including charges of carving in Beishan, Baodingshan and bus fare)
Opening Hours:	08:40 to 17:00
Recommended Time for a Visit:	One and a half hours