The Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing integrate Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, featuring the Thousand-Hand Guanyin, the Wheel of Reincarnation, and the Reclining Buddha

The Dazu Rock Carvings are not just a single set of stone carvings, but rather the collective name for all the stone carvings within the Dazu District of Chongqing. There are as many as 75 sites of Dazu Rock Carvings with more than 50,000 statues, especially those in Beishan, Baodingshan, Nanshan, Shimenshan, and Shizhuanshan Grottoes are the most distinctive. The Dazu Rock Carvings were first created in the early Tang Dynasty, went through the late Tang, Five Dynasties, flourished in the Song Dynasty, and continued into the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Along with the Dunhuang, Yungang, and Longmen grottoes, they form a complete history of Chinese grotto art. The Baodingshan Grotto carvings were excavated by the Dazu monk Zhao Zhifeng from 1174 to 1252, over a period of 78 years. The Baodingshan cliff carvings are the largest in scale at Dafowan and Xiaofowan, distributed on the east, south, and north sides. There are more than 360 giant carvings, with the Wheel of Reincarnation, the vast treasure towers, the Huayan Three Saints, and the Thousand-Hand Guanyin being the most famous. The Thousand-Hand Guanyin of the Dazu Rock Carvings is the only true Thousand-Hand Guanyin in China, with approximately 1006 hands. The niches are densely packed like a honeycomb, and it is hailed as a 'gallery of grotto art' from the late 9th century to the mid-13th century. The Wheel of Reincarnation depicts 90 human figures and 24 animals. In the relentless wheel, a large demon stretches out both arms to embrace the six realms of existence, within which the cycle of life for all beings is carved. The Reclining Buddha of Sakyamuni entering nirvana is about eight meters high and 32 meters long, with a gentle smile and a compassionate demeanor. The Buddha said, 'In life, there is birth and there is death, but only through nirvana can one escape the cycle of life and death.' The disciples are neatly lined up in front of the Buddha, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and reverence, with a sense of reluctant parting. The Dazu Rock Carvings are world-renowned for their grand scale, exquisite carvings, diverse themes, rich connotations, and complete preservation; they are rare in integrating the 'three teachings' of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism; and they stand out in Chinese grotto art with their distinctive national, secular, and lifelike characteristics. 📍Detailed address: Dazu Rock Carvings: Baoding Town, Dazu District, Chongqing Ticket price: From 110 yuan per person