Located in Dazu District, Chongqing Municipality, China, the Dazu Rock Carvings Scenic Area is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. With the "Five Mountains" grottoes of Baoding Mountain, Beishan Mountain, Nanshan Mountain, Shimen Mountain, and Shizhuan Mountain as its core, it is an outstanding representative of China's late grotto art, integrating Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian "Three Religions" statues, showcasing the peak achievements of Song Dynasty stone carving art.
The scenic area has over 50,000 existing stone carvings and more than 100,000 characters of inscriptions. It was first excavated in the first year of Yonghui in the Tang Dynasty (650 AD), spanning the late Tang Dynasty, Five Dynasties, Northern Song Dynasty, thriving in the Southern Song Dynasty, and continuing to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, lasting more than 1,300 years. Among them, the core area of Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings covers about 1,100 mu, and Beishan Mountain Rock Carvings were excavated in the first year of Jingfu of Emperor Zhaozong in the Tang Dynasty (892 AD), with more than 5,000 existing statues.
History and Culture
The excavation of Dazu Rock Carvings is closely related to the social and economic development of the Bashu region during the Tang and Song Dynasties. After the An Lushan Rebellion in the Tang Dynasty, the population of the Central Plains moved south, making Dazu an important cultural center, and Buddhist rock carvings began to rise. During the Five Dynasties period, with the support of local regimes, the scale of grotto carvings expanded, and the content gradually integrated the ideas of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.
The Song Dynasty was the heyday of Dazu Rock Carvings. Represented by the Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings, they were excavated under the auspices of the eminent monk Zhao Zhifeng and took more than 70 years to complete. Its carvings mainly focus on Buddhist Esoteric themes, combined with Confucian ethics and secular life, forming a unique style of "coexistence of humans and Buddha," such as the Six Paths of Reincarnation Diagram, the Carving of the Sutra on the Importance of Parents' Grace, and the Herdsman's Cow-Taming Diagram. These not only have religious educational functions but also reflect the family ethics and production-life scenes of Song Dynasty society.
In 1999, Dazu Rock Carvings were listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, praised as "representing the highest level of world grotto art from the 9th to the 13th century," and are the last monument in the history of Chinese grotto art.
Main Attractions
Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings
The Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings are the largest and most artistically valuable part of the Dazu Rock Carvings, excavated during the Chunxi to Chunyou years of the Southern Song Dynasty (1174-1252 AD). The scenic area has 31 groups of large-scale cliff carvings, with the most famous being the "Six Paths of Reincarnation Diagram," "Three Sages of Huayan," "Nine Dragons Bathing the Infant Buddha," "Ten Great Kings of Wisdom," and "Herdsman's Cow-Taming Diagram." Among them, the 7-meter-high "Three Sages of Huayan" are built into the mountain, with smooth drapery and grand momentum; the 30-meter-long "Herdsman's Cow-Taming Diagram" uses a comic strip form to show the process of taming the mind through cow herding, full of life atmosphere.
Beishan Mountain Rock Carvings
The Beishan Mountain Rock Carvings were excavated in the late Tang Dynasty, spanning the Five Dynasties to the Southern Song Dynasty, with 264 existing niches. Mainly Buddhist statues, they also include Taoist and Confucian themes. The "Sutra Rotating Treasury Niche" is known as the "pearl on the crown of Chinese grotto art." The 1.5-meter-high Statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva carved in the niche is beautiful in appearance and graceful in posture, with extremely high artistic standards. In addition, statues such as the "Avalokitesvara with Rosary Hands" and "Sun and Moon Avalokitesvara" are famous for their delicate carvings and vivid expressions.
Nanshan Mountain Rock Carvings
The Nanshan Mountain Rock Carvings are mainly Taoist statues, excavated during the Southern Song Dynasty, with 15 existing niches. Among them, the "Ancient Cave of the Three Pure Ones" is one of the largest and best-preserved Taoist grottoes in China. The cave houses 42 statues of the highest Taoist gods "Three Pure Ones" and other deities, demonstrating the artistic characteristics of Song Dynasty Taoist stone carvings.
Food
Youting Crucian Carp
Youting Crucian Carp is one of the most characteristic dishes around Dazu, originating from Youting Town, Dazu District. Using fresh crucian carp as the main ingredient, it is cooked with seasonings such as fermented bean paste, pickled peppers, and Sichuan pepper, featuring spicy, fresh, and tender flavors. It is usually served with ingredients like tofu and konjac, representing the local rural-style cuisine.
Dazu Rice Noodles
Dazu Rice Noodles are made from high-quality local rice using traditional techniques, with a smooth and flexible texture. Common styles include beef rice noodles and intestines rice noodles. The soup base is slowly simmered with pork or beef bones, rich and flavorful, making it a popular breakfast choice for Dazu residents.
Dingjiapo Spicy Potatoes
Dingjiapo Spicy Potatoes are a special snack in Dazu. Small pieces of boiled potatoes are mixed with seasonings such as chili oil, Sichuan pepper, scallions, and vinegar, offering a soft, waxy, spicy, and flavorful taste. Affordable and popular, they are beloved by tourists.
Tickets
Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings (including Shengshou Temple): Full price ticket 115 yuan in peak season, half price 55 yuan; full price ticket 100 yuan in off-season, half price 55 yuan
Beishan Mountain Rock Carvings: Full price ticket 70 yuan in peak season, half price 35 yuan; full price ticket 50 yuan in off-season, half price 25 yuan
Combined Ticket (Baoding Mountain + Beishan Mountain): Full price ticket 140 yuan in peak season, half price 70 yuan; full price ticket 120 yuan in off-season, half price 60 yuan
Nanshan Mountain Rock Carvings: Full price ticket 35 yuan, half price 15 yuan
Shimen Mountain Rock Carvings: Full price ticket 35 yuan, half price 15 yuan
Shizhuan Mountain Rock Carvings: Full price ticket 35 yuan, half price 15 yuan
Ticket prices may be adjusted, but the difference will not be significant. Please obtain the latest ticket prices through the official WeChat public account or the scenic area ticket office. Seniors, children, students, and people with disabilities can enjoy free tickets or half-price discounts with valid certificates.
Opening Hours
Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings: 09:00-18:00
Beishan Mountain Rock Carvings: 09:00-18:00
Beishan Mountain Rock Carvings (Night Tour): 19:30-23:00
Nanshan, Shimen Mountain, and Shizhuan Mountain Rock Carvings: 09:00-17:30
The opening hours of the scenic area may be adjusted according to seasons. Please check the latest opening hours through the official WeChat public account or the scenic area ticket office.
Tour Routes
Classic One-Day Tour Route:
Morning: Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings (approximately 3 hours of sightseeing, focusing on Dafowan and Xiaofowan carvings);
Noon: Dining in the scenic area or Dazu urban area;
Afternoon: Beishan Mountain Rock Carvings (approximately 2 hours of sightseeing, visiting the Sutra Rotating Treasury Niche and the Amitayus Sutra Carving Niche, etc.);
Evening: Return to the city.
Deep Tour Route (2-3 Days):
Day 1: Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings + Nanshan Mountain Rock Carvings;
Day 2: Beishan Mountain Rock Carvings + Shimen Mountain Rock Carvings + Shizhuan Mountain Rock Carvings;
Day 3: Dazu Rock Carvings Museum (to understand the historical culture of the carvings) + surrounding rural tourism (such as Lotus Mountain Villa).
Transportation
- Self-driving: From Chongqing urban area, take the Yurong Expressway and Tongrong Expressway to Dazu East Exit, about 1.5 hours by car; from Chengdu urban area, take the Chengan-Yu Expressway to Dazu West Exit, about 2.5 hours by car.
- High-speed Rail: Take the Chengdu-Chongqing High-speed Rail from Chongqing West Station to Dazu South Station. After exiting the station, transfer to the scenic area direct bus (about every 30 minutes, fare 15 yuan) or take a taxi (about 30 yuan) to Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings directly.
- Long-distance Bus: There are direct buses from Chongqing Caiyuanba and Chenjiaping Bus Stations to Dazu District. After arrival, transfer to Bus No. 205 at Dazu Bus Station to Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings, or take a taxi (about 20 yuan).
Must-Visit Attractions
- Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings: The core area of the World Cultural Heritage and the pinnacle of Song Dynasty stone carving art. Must-see attractions include the Six Paths of Reincarnation Diagram, Herdsman's Cow-Taming Diagram, and Three Sages of Huayan.
- Beishan Mountain Rock Carvings: A microcosm of the evolution of stone carving art from the Tang to Song Dynasties. Focus on visiting the Sutra Rotating Treasury Niche and Avalokitesvara with Rosary Hands.
- Dazu Rock Carvings Museum: Through cultural relic displays and multimedia presentations, gain an in-depth understanding of the historical background and cultural value of the rock carvings.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to hire a professional guide (Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings guide fee is about 100 yuan) or use the scenic area's intelligent navigation equipment to understand the cultural stories behind the carvings.
- Pay attention to sun protection and heatstroke prevention in summer, keep warm in winter, and wear comfortable sports shoes as there is much walking in the scenic area.
- Deep tour visitors can make advance reservations to visit remote grottoes such as Shimen Mountain and Shizhuan Mountain to experience the unique charm of niche rock carvings.
- When tasting local cuisine, visit the "Hongsheng Square" food street in Dazu urban area to experience authentic rural-style cuisine and snacks.
Notes
- Touching, climbing on the rock carvings, and using flash photography are strictly prohibited in the scenic area.
- As the Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings scenic area is large, it is recommended to plan the route in advance to avoid missing core attractions.
- Shimen Mountain and Shizhuan Mountain Rock Carvings are located in rural areas with inconvenient transportation. It is recommended to travel by self-driving or chartered car.
- When purchasing tickets, pay attention to the difference between peak and off-season prices, and carry preferential certificates with you for inspection.