Things to do in Anyue

The stone carvings in Yuanjue Cave are divided into north and south cliffs. The north cliff is characterized by large niches and statues, including three large Buddha statues, each about 7 meters tall, standing separately in their respective niches. The central cave depicts Shakyamuni Buddha with a compassionate expression, holding the teaching mudra. To his lower right is his disciple Kasyapa, depicting the scene of the Buddha smiling and spreading the Dharma, which is very similar to the statues in Banbian Temple. The left cave features Guanyin with a vase, holding a willow branch in her right hand and a vase in her left. The right cave features Guanyin with a lotus hand, holding a lotus flower, which is carved using the typical openwork technique of Anyue. Weighing over 100 kilograms, it appears delicate but has remained intact for thousands of years.

The stone inscriptions of Piludong were created in the fifth generation of the post-study, and then all the generations have been cultivated and engraved. It was once one of the main Taoist sites of Sichuan Buddhist Tantrics from the fifth generation to the Northern Song Dynasty. Especially the sculpture of the "Water Moon Guanyin" in the Guanyin Hall, the crowd called her "Zizhu Guanyin", and the British Chinese writer Han Suying called her "Venus of the East", which is a rare stone art treasure of the Northern Song Dynasty. This Zizhu Guanyin is 3 meters high and sits in the exposed rocky cave. She leaned against the relief purple bamboo and willow branches, wearing a rich gold crown; the eyebrows were erect, the phoenix was hanging, the nose was slightly uplifted, the lips were slightly closed; she wore short sleeves and thin fins, bare elbows, arms were worn, and the golden waterfalls that came with her, and the net fell on her chest and stomach; The long skirt is thin as a flap, close to the waist and legs, the dress is elegant and dynamic. She sits on a 3-meter long curved lotus leaf, on the left side of her upper body; her left hand is caressed on the leaf surface, her right hand is placed on her knee, and her five fingers naturally sagging; A pair of beautiful bare feet, left foot hanging on the lotus platform, gently treading the flower, right leg bent up, foot on the lotus leaves, so people commonly called her "foot up Guanyin". Zizhu Guanyin seems to be a rich, gentle and elegant young girl. She has the charm of a girl, the appearance of a goddess, the worldly flavor is very strong, people love to call her "wind flow Guanyin". Seeing the purple bamboo Guanyin, it is necessary to be impressed by the Song Dynasty carving masters' ingenious and clever work. Now, because the early days of the founding of the state of the cultural relics protection is not appropriate, resulting in the theft of Zizhu Guanyin's right palm, when the right palm is found again, but no matter how to pick up can not restore to the original symmetry, so, the right hand is not the original form.

Many friends have said that the Anyue stone carvings are very beautiful. After looking at several beautiful stone carvings, I came to this stone carving and found that the colors in the back were more vibrant. Later, I learned that they were painted over by people in the Qing Dynasty and modern times. I have to say that the aesthetic sense of the ancients was quite high, but it dropped precipitously after the Qing Dynasty.

This area is quite selective and particularly appealing to those interested in Buddhist statues, scripture, stone carving, Tang and Song dynasty history, and eastern Sichuan architecture. Anyue County boasts a rich collection of stone carvings, with Yuanjue Temple, the Reclining Buddha Temple, and Pilu Cave being must-see attractions. Driving within Anyue is also quite convenient.

Mingshan Temple was founded during the Yuanhe period of the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Northern Song Dynasty. Most of the existing statues were carved during the Northern Song Dynasty. Most of them are well preserved and magnificent. There are 20 existing caves and niches, with 63 statues. Although they are not as shocking and spectacular as the Dazu Rock Carvings, if you appreciate them carefully, you will find that each statue carries the vicissitudes of history. The stone carvings are carved on the mountain. There are more than 60 Tang and Song Dynasty statues. Although the number is small, the statues are magnificent and the stone carving art is exquisite. The focus and essence are all on the mountainside, which are all extremely valuable cliff stone carvings.

The Tapo Cliff Statue is a provincial cultural relic protection unit. There are three existing statues of the Three Holy Ones of Huayan in the Song Dynasty. The statue of Vairocana Buddha in the middle and the statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva on the left are well preserved, with exquisite shapes and exquisite workmanship. They can be called the pinnacle of stone carvings in the Northern Song Dynasty. The statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva on the right was reshaped in the Qing Dynasty due to the collapse of the face. There is actually only one temple in the Tapo Cliff Statue, which is not very big. I heard that it was opened during the National Day holiday. So the door of the room was closed as expected this time, and the contact number of the cultural relic protection staff on the wall was just right torn off [Trick], but two benches were placed outside the locked door for tourists to climb up, hold the wall, and look inside through the window. Although the road to Tapo is not easy to walk, it is still recommended to have a look if you have the chance. This is the real essence of Anyue stone carving.

Qianfo Temple, a Buddhist holy site with a long history, attracts numerous tourists with its unique cultural charm and exquisite architectural art. The following is a detailed review of Qianfo Temple: Historical and Cultural Value - Long History: Qianfo Temples in different regions all possess profound historical heritage. For example, Yibin Qianfo Temple was first built in the Tang Dynasty, Chongqing Qianfo Temple in the Ming Dynasty, and the Huangling Qianfo Temple Grottoes were carved in the Song Dynasty, witnessing the inheritance and development of Buddhist culture in these areas. - Profound Cultural Accumulation: The temples preserve a wealth of Buddhist scriptures, historical relics, and grotto statues, possessing significant cultural research value. For example, the original Song Dynasty architecture and sculptural art of the Huangling Qianfo Temple Grottoes provide valuable materials for the study of ancient architecture and sculpture. Architectural and Artistic Features - Unique Architectural Style: The buildings in Qianfo Temple are mostly traditional flying eaves and upturned corners, built against the mountainside, with a rigorous layout and magnificent scale. For example, the Chongqing Qianfo Temple has multiple halls, including the Mountain Gate Hall, the Great Buddha Hall, and the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall, arranged in a harmonious and orderly manner. - Exquisite Buddha Statues: The Buddha statues in the temples are exquisitely carved, lifelike, and full of artistic appeal. Whether it's the largest Buddha statue in Jiangnan at Xinchang Dafosi Temple or the Thousand-Hand Guanyin at Fushun Qianfosi Temple, they all showcase the superb skills of ancient craftsmen. Natural Landscape and Cultural Atmosphere - Tranquil Environment: Most Qianfosi Temples are located in mountainous forests, offering a tranquil environment with fresh air, providing visitors with a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. For example, the Qianfosi Temple on Cuiping Mountain in Yibin is surrounded by ancient trees, offering beautiful scenery. - Rich Cultural Atmosphere: The temples are bustling with worshippers and Buddhist activities, allowing visitors to experience a rich Buddhist cultural atmosphere, participate in meditation and worship, and cleanse their minds. Tourist Facilities and Services - Convenient Transportation: Most Qianfosi Temples are easily accessible by a well-developed transportation network. For example, the Chongqing Qianfosi Temple is located next to Nanbin Road, and the Yibin Qianfosi Temple is directly accessible by bus. - Comprehensive Service Facilities: The temples are surrounded by parking lots, restaurants, shopping, and other supporting facilities to meet the diverse needs of visitors. Some Thousand Buddha Temples also offer guided tours to help visitors better understand the temple's history and culture. In conclusion, Thousand Buddha Temples, with their profound historical and cultural heritage, unique architectural style, beautiful natural scenery, and rich cultural atmosphere, have become popular tourist destinations.

When you come to Anyue County, besides Yuanjue Temple, another place worth visiting is Qianfozhai. However, because the public transportation in Qianfozhai is not very convenient, many people will give up. I rode a shared bicycle here at that time. Although this is not the place where shared bicycles are stored, it is worth visiting here. It feels like walking in the wild in the Wizard of Oz.

Mumen Temple, located in Mumen Village, Wofo Town, Anyue County, Ziyang City, Sichuan Province, is a Linji Sect Zen temple. It was built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1403-1424) and covers an area of ​​about 600 square meters.

There is a temple at the back, but you cannot get in because the gate is closed. There is also a Tang Dynasty pagoda, but it is a pity not to be able to see it. It is better to slowly and quietly appreciate the Peacock King at the door. This is why it is called Peacock Cave. I can only sigh that my destiny has not arrived yet, and I don’t know if I will have the chance to come again in this life.