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Dazu Rock Carvings

Introducing Dazu Rock Carvings
The Dazu rock carvings are a collection of over 50,000 cliffside carvings and statues located near Chongqing. They consist of five main clusters: Baodingshan, Beishan, Nanshan, Shimenshan, and Shizhuanshan. The first Dazu carvings are believed to date back to the 7th century, during the early years of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). However, the main development of the carvings began in 892 by the military commander Wei Junjing, when Wei Junjing, Prefect of Changzhou, spearheaded the carvings at Beishan. Rock carvings continued to be created well into the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). Of all the rock-carved sites in Dazu, the most extensive and impressive is Baodingshan. Executed between 1174 and 1252 under the direction of a local monk called Zhao Zhifeng, Baodingshan is the only site in China that embodies the development of Buddhist teaching during the Song dynasty. Here, Zhao Zhifeng planned a place of instruction and ritual practice for the various schools of Buddhism active in Sichuan at the time, including Vajrayana (or Tantrisim), the Pure Land, Huayan and Chan traditions. Particular prominence was given to Esoteric Buddhism (Tantrisim or Vajrayana) based on the teachings of the Tang-dynasty Buddhist layman Liu Benzun (855-907).

Dazu Rock Carvings Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Da Zu Shi Ke 大足石刻
• Best Time to Visit: March to November
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 3 to 4 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism
• Opening Hours: 08:30 to 18:00 (Ticket sale stops at 16:30)
• Entrance Fee: CNY 115 for Baodingshan (Shengshou Temple included); CNY 70 for Beishan; Combo Ticket: CNY140 for Baodingshan, Beishan and Shengshou Temple
• Address: Dazu District, Chongqing


What UNESCO says of the Dazu Rock Carvings
The steep hillsides in the Dazu area near Chongqing, contain an exceptional series of five clusters of rock carvings dating from the 9th to 13th centuries. The largest cluster at Beishan contains two groups along a cliff face 7-10m high stretching for around 300m. There are more than 10,000 carvings dating from the late 9th to the mid-12th century which depict themes of Tantric Buddhism and Taoism. Inscriptions give insight to the history, religious beliefs, dating and the identification of historical figures. The late 11thcentury Song dynasty carvings at Shizhuanshan extend over 130m and depict Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian images in a rare tripartite arrangement. The Song dynasty carvings at Shimenshan dating from the first half of the 12th century extend along 72m and integrate Buddhist and Taoist subjects. At Nanshan the Song dynasty carvings of the 12th century extend over a length of 86m and depict mostly Taoist subjects. The culmination in terms of expression of Tantric Buddhism is found in the U shaped gorge at Baodingshan which contains two groups of carvings dating from the late 12th to the mid-13th century near the Holy Longevity Monastery. The very large group to the west stretches for about 500 meters and comprises 31 groups of carved figures depicting themes from Tantric Buddhism as well scenes of herdsmen and ordinary life. The carvings are known for their grand scale, aesthetic quality and rich diversity of subject matter as well as for being well preserved. Standing as an example of the highest level of Chinese cave temple art dating from the 9th to 13th centuries, the Dazu Rock Carvings not only underline the harmonious coexistence in China of three different religions, namely Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, but also provide material proof that cave temple art has increasingly shed light on everyday life. Large numbers of carvings and written historical materials within the heritage site show the great changes in and development of cave temple art and religious beliefs in China during that period.

What to expect at Dazu Rock Carvings
The Dazu Rock Carvings contains all the cliffside carvings in Dazu County. The collection is composed of the rock carvings at Baodingshan, Beishan, Nanshan, Shimenshan, and Shizhuanshan, all of which are of the highest artistic attainment and demonstrate the most exquisite skills. The highlights of Dazu Rock Carvings are found on Baodingshan and Beishan.


Baodingshan Rock Carvings
Baodingshan is also known as Mount Baoding, Precious Summit Mountain, and Summit of Treasures. Executed between 1174 and 1252 under the direction of a local monk called Zhao Zhifeng, Baodingshan is the most unique of the five carving clusters in Dazu. Zhao Zhifeng pioneered the creation of the carvings and spent 70 years working on the grotto art of Baodingshan. A devoted follower of religious leader and layman Liu Benzun, Zhao Zhifeng was inspired by Liu’s influence on Esoteric Buddhism (Tantrism or Vajrayana) in China and wanted to dedicate a site to the greatly worshipped Liu Benzun. Many of the carvings in Baodingshan embody the ideologies exemplified by Liu Benzun as well as Zhao’s dedication to him. Consisting of a mile and a half of carvings, numbering over 6000 total, Baodingshan consists of Great Buddha Bend (Dafowan) and Little Buddha Bend (Xiaofowan) joined by Shengshou Temple. The Great Buddha Bend served as a teaching ground, where Buddhist doctrines were presented to the public by Zhao Zhifeng. Among the 31 tableaux, best known are the Parinirvana of the Buddha, Hell Tribunals and Punishments, Oxherding Parable, Ten Austerities of Liu Benzun, and the Vidyarajas. Great Buddha Bend also claims some of the biggest Chinese versions of certain Buddhist works – in particular the Hell tableau and the 1000-Armed 1000-Eyed Avalokitesvara or Guanyin figure. The Little Buddha Bend is a smaller area situated above and behind the Shengshou Temple. It is within Little Buddha Bend that one finds the Founder’s Pagoda, a carved work on which is seen images of Master Liu Benzun as well as an image of Zhao Zhifeng. Most interesting tableaus are the Buddha Wheel of Life, the Protectors of Buddhist Law.


Beishan Rock Carvings
Beishan means North Mountain. Beishan carvings are the oldest works at Dazu. The prefect of Changzhou, Wei Junjing, initiated the carvings in 892 and this project was finished by 1162. Beishan consists of a maze of caves and caverns with over 5000 statues. The sculptures here mostly feature Avalokitesvara, the Goddess of Mercy, accompanied by monks, nuns and the donors who funded the project. In niche 130, Avalokitesvara appears like a fearsome Tantric goddess, holding weapons and a severed head in her many hands. Next door, in niche 131, she is in her more typical peaceful form, gazing at the moon's reflection. In niche 136 is a 4.5-meter-high prayer wheel surrounded by Avalokitesvara images. As a result Beishan carvings earn the reputation “the exhibition hall of Avalokitesvaras in China".

Nanshan Rock Carvings
Nanshan means South Mountain. Carved between 1131 ~ 1162 on a 86 meter long cliff, the Nanshan Rock Carvings consist of 15 groups of carvings, with 421 statues. Unlike Baodingshan & Beshan carvings which are dominated by Buddhism, Nanshan rock carvings are devoted to Taoism. The most prominent ones are the Cave of Taoist Trinity, the Cave of Shengmu and Emperor Zhengwu. The Cave of Taoist Trinity contains all of the three hundred and sixty gods of Taoism. In addition, Nanshan Rock Carvings also have the largest number of and the most concentrated Taoist statues in China.

Shimenshan Rock Carvings
The name Shimen literally means stone gate, which is appropriate since the entrance is located between rocks. Shimenshan Rock Carvings was carved between 1094 and 1151 during the Song dynasty. There are a total of 16 groups of carvings on a 71.8 meter long cliff, with a height of 3.4m to 5m. The carvings and statues are mostly focused on the Taoist and Buddhist themes. The Taoist statues here have great artistic qualities. Some unique sculptures include the ten Avalokitesvaras, Mahamayuri, Cave of the Three Emperor.

Shizhuanshan Rock Carvings
Shizhuanshan Rock Carvings were carved between 1082 and 1090 during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). There are a total of 10 groups of carvings on a 130 meter long cliff. The carvings are rare in that it contains statues of all three religions, Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. In cave 6, Confucius is enshrined in the center, flanked by his ten greatest disciples.

How to get to Dazu Rock Carvings
• Dazu Rock Carvings are approximately 105km away from Chongqing and 230km from Chengdu.
• Bullet trains from both Chongqing & Chengdu are available to Dazu.
• Take a bus from Chongqing Caiyuanba Bus Station to Dazu County Bus Station. Then take bus 205 to Baodingshan.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Chongqing to Dazu Rock Carvings.

Additional travel advice on Dazu Rock Carvings
• It is hot and humid in Dazu in Summer. Please prepare drinkable water, umbrella, and wear sunscreen, hat and sunglasses to prevent sunburns.
• To protect the relics, do not touch or do scribbles on the carvings.

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