Go early for an early look, as you might not be allowed to take photos once it becomes popular~

🏮Two little questions Why isn't the Dazu Rock Carvings called a grotto? - With such beautiful and spectacular artistry, high artistic and cultural value, rich colors, and well-preserved condition, why isn't the Dazu Rock Carvings as famous as the four major grottoes in China? - 🏮Dazu Rock Carvings 🔺Chongqing's only World Cultural Heritage, one of the eight great grottoes of the world, started in the early Tang Dynasty, with continued carving through the Five Dynasties, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. 🔺The Dazu Rock Carvings are actually a collective name for five mountains: Baoding Mountain, Beishan, Nanshan, Shimen Mountain, and Shizhuan Mountain. Currently, only Baoding Mountain and Beishan are open to the public, and they are not close to each other; it takes over half an hour by car. 🔺The most special feature of the Dazu Rock Carvings is that they include not only Buddhist images but also Taoist and Confucian figures, with very rich content. 🏮Baoding Mountain Carvings- 🔺Started in the Southern Song Dynasty, with over 360 giant carvings, divided into the Great Buddha Bay, Small Buddha Bay, and Shengshou Temple. 🔺The most famous include the Thousand-Hand Guanyin (which has been restored and is glittering with gold), the Huayan Three Saints, and the Six Paths of Reincarnation. - 🏮Beishan Rock Carvings 🔺Started at the end of the Tang Dynasty and ended in the Southern Song Dynasty, Beishan is one of the largest carvings in the Dazu Rock Carvings along with Baoding Mountain. 🔺Different from Baoding Mountain, the Beishan carvings are all covered with buildings, which makes them a bit stuffy but cooler. 🔺In terms of individual carvings, Beishan may not be as grand as those in Baoding Mountain, but they are more delicate and exquisite, especially those from the Five Dynasties to the Song Dynasty. 🔺Famous carvings include the Wheel of the Law Repository and the Peacock Ming King Grotto, among others. - ✅Some thoughts Compared to the Mogao Caves, there are fewer tourists here, and travel groups only go to Baoding Mountain, making Beishan even less crowded. Currently, the Dazu Rock Carvings still allow close-up viewing and photography. It's essential to go early and see them early. Natural damage is one aspect, but it's also possible that one day it will become as popular as the Mogao Caves, with limited access, batched entry, or even a ban on photography. The construction method of the Baoding Mountain carvings is similar to that of the Mogao Caves, but the route planning is not as scientific: 🔺The entrance features a dome cinema and a short film, which are not included in the basic ticket price. 🔺Take the scenic area bus to the transfer station, then take a sightseeing car to the entrance of the carvings, passing by the museum. This transfer is somewhat baffling, as everyone is eager to see the carvings and no one gets off. 🔺After leaving the carvings, you can walk to the scenic area bus stop, passing by the museum and a commercial area. However, the scenic area also offers a sightseeing car for this section, which requires an additional fee of 15 yuan per person. 🔺The paid sightseeing car passes by the museum, but since people take it because they don't want to walk, still no one gets off. Then it arrives at the entrance of the commercial area, and the bus stop is a walk away. 🔺The scenic area bus stops at the commercial street at the entrance, followed by cultural and creative shops and then the exit. 🔺It's probably the most scattered commercial street in a single scenic area... - 🏮Basic Information 📍Address: Dazu District, Chongqing ⏰Opening Hours: 9:00 -18:00, entry stops at 16:00 🎫Ticket (advance discount price) 💰Baoding Mountain + Beishan 135 yuan 💰Baoding Mountain 110 yuan 💰Beishan 58 yuan