Dazu Rock Carvings - UNESCO World Cultural Heritage

Dazu Rock Carvings were first carved in the early Tang Dynasty (650 AD) and continued to be engraved even in the Ming and Qing dynasties (14th to 19th centuries). They're a group of stone carvings that collect the essence of stone carving art in China and also represent the highest level of world grotto art from the 9th to the 13th century.

Dazu Rock Carvings provide outstanding evidence of the harmonious synthesis of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, which is rarely seen in other grottoes in China. Besides, their statues and inscriptions boast distinctive features of nationalism and secularization. Showing vivid life scenes in ancient China, Dazu have pushed grotto art to an unprecedented height. Moreover, Dazu have great historical, artistic, scientific, and connoisseurship values. Their exquisitely carved statues and inscriptions earn it the name “Magical Oriental Art Jewelry” worldwide.

Suggested Visiting Time: Half Day
Opening Time: 9:00 -18:00

Baodingshan Rock Carvings, 15km northeast of Dazu County, is a top popular scenic spot of Dazu Rock Carvings featuring iconic statues with secular characters. Carved in the South Song Dynasty (1179 AD), it centers on Dafowan (大佛湾, or Grant Buddha Bay), the 500m-long and 8-25m-high U-shaped cliff with nearly 10,000 statues. You're highly suggested not to miss the Sakyamuni Entering Nirvana Niche (the world's largest reclining Buddhist), Buddhist Wheel of Life, Thousand-Hand Avalokitesvara, etc. If you want to visit Baodingshan in a more trendy way, you can follow the steps of Wukong in Black Myth: Wukong to snap photos of the same scenes.

In addition to rock carvings, Shenshou Temple, an outstanding hillside architecture that was renovated in the Qing Dynasty, is worth visiting. You can also visit Dazu Rock Carvings Museum or watch the 4K digital movie at the Tourist Center to learn about the main development of world cave temple art and the features of Dazu Rock Carvings. You can take tourist buses or sightseeing buses here to transfer between Dafowan, Shenshou Temple, Dazu Rock Carvings Museum, and the Tourist Center.

Recommended Route:

Dazu Rock Carvings 4k digital movie (50 mins) - tourist bus (20 mins) - sightseeing bus (0.5 h) - Dafowan (1-1.5 hrs) - Shenshou Temple (0.5-1 hr) - Dazu Rock Carvings Museum (1 hr) - Tourist Center (0.5-1 hr).

Suggested Visiting Time: around 1 hour
Opening Time: 9:00 - 18:00; 19:30 - 21:00

Beishan Rock Carvings (892 AD - 1162 AD) is the oldest carving group in the Dazu Rock Carvings, depicting the evolution of Chinese folk Buddhist beliefs, and is renowned for its delicate carving techniques and elegant statues. It mainly consists of cliff-side statues centered around Fowan (佛湾), which contains over 5,000 statues measuring over 500m in length and 7m in height. Rock Carving Treasure that you can't miss here are Circular Grottoes (reputed as Art Palace of Oriental Grottoes), Illustration to the Sutra of Contemplation on Buddha Amitayus, Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Avalokitesvara, etc. Notably, Beishan Rock Carvings can be visited both during the day and at night. A wonderful visual experience with colorful lights illuminating stone statues is provided here.

Dazu Rock Carvings is situated in Dazu District, around 110km (1.5 hrs' drive) northwest of Chongqing downtown. Most travelers will choose to visit Dazu after exploring Chongqing downtown. But you can also transfer to Dazu right after arrival in Chongqing via flight or train, provided you arrive at Chongqing Jiangbei Airport or Chongqing's railway stations before 9:00, since a visit to Dazu Rock Carvings can be completed in about half a day. Taxis, private vehicles, coaches, and trains are all available to transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings.

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Take a coach from Caiyuanba Bus Station (around 1 hr 40 mins) in Chongqing downtown, Bus Station of Chongqing North Railway Station (around 1.5 hrs), or Bus Station at Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (around 1 hr 40 mins) to Dazu Bus Station, and then transfer to Baodingshan Tourist Center by taxi (20 mins).

By Train + Taxi

Take a train from Chongqing North Railway Station (40 mins), Chongqing West Railway Station (0.5 hr), or Shapingba Railway Station (0.5 hr) to Dazu South Railway Station, and then catch a taxi to Baodingshan Tourist Center (1 hr).

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