What mysteries lie hidden in this millennium-old treasure discovered in the land of Ba and Yu?

In the southwest of China's vast land, there is a mysterious place where awe-inspiring artistic treasures are said to remain. What kind of sight is it that has captivated countless people? With this curiosity, let us step into Dazu, Chongqing, and explore the mysteries of the Dazu Rock Carvings. The Dazu Rock Carvings, located in Dazu District, Chongqing, are outstanding representatives of late Chinese grotto art and a brilliant pearl in the history of world grotto art. It began in the early Tang Dynasty, went through the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, flourished in the two Song Dynasties, and was also added to during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is an art corridor carved over many dynasties. Baodingshan Rock Carvings are the essence of the Dazu Rock Carvings. The statues here are large in scale, with Dafowan as the core, and the niches are layered on the cliff walls that are one mile long. Among them, the Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue is awe-inspiring. 1,007 hands spread out like a peacock opening its tail. Each hand has an eye, with different postures, delicate and exquisite, as if telling the ancient story of the Buddhist kingdom. In the Sakyamuni Buddha Nirvana Picture, the reclining Buddha lies horizontally on the cliff wall with a peaceful expression. The many disciples behind him have different expressions, some are sad, some are pious, and they are vividly portrayed, showing the superb skills of the craftsmen. The Beishan Rock Carvings are known for their delicacy and elegance. The statues are built on rocks and stretch for miles, with niches as dense as honeycombs. The statues in the late Tang Dynasty are dignified and plump, with the legacy of the prosperous Tang Dynasty; the statues in the Five Dynasties are small and exquisite, and the style gradually transitions; the statues in the Song Dynasty have distinct personalities and exquisite costumes. Walking among them, you can see the compassionate and peaceful Guanyin Bodhisattva and the vivid and interesting Arhats. Each statue seems to be endowed with a soul. The Nanshan Rock Carvings are mainly based on Taoist themes. They are the most exquisite and complete Taoist statues carved in the Song Dynasty in China. The Three Purities Cave and the Holy Mother Shrine fully demonstrate the breadth and depth of Taoist culture in their solemnity. The Shizhuan Mountain Grottoes integrate Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist statues. Statues of Confucius and the Ten Philosophers, and statues of the Supreme Lord Lao and the Real Man are in the same cave, reflecting the cultural phenomenon of the integration of the three religions at that time. The Shimenshan Grottoes combine Buddhism and Taoism, and the statues have rich themes, which is of great significance for studying religious relations and grotto modeling art. Travel route from Beijing Chaoyang to Dazu Rock Carvings - Plane: Fly directly from Beijing Capital International Airport or Daxing International Airport to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, the flight time is about 3 hours. After arrival, take a long-distance bus to Dazu at the airport, the journey is about 2 hours; you can also take the rail transit to Chongqing West Railway Station first, and then transfer to the high-speed train to Dazu, which takes about 30 minutes. - High-speed train: Take the high-speed train from Beijing West Railway Station to Chongqing West Railway Station, the whole journey takes about 11–12 hours, and then transfer to the high-speed train to Dazu. - Self-driving: The whole journey is about 1,700 km, passing through Dagang Expressway, Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway, etc., which takes about 20 hours. Long-distance driving requires reasonable rest arrangements. Recommended surrounding hotels - Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Guantang: It is 1.5 km away from the scenic spot on foot. It is an antique building complex full of Zen. The reference price is CNY 600–1,000/night. - Vienna Hotel (Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Hongsheng Plaza): It is 13.9 km away from the scenic spot by car. The rooms are comfortable and fully equipped. The reference price is CNY 400–600/night. - Hanting Hotel (Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Sports Center): It is 15.2 km away from the scenic spot by car. The price is affordable and the service is thoughtful. The reference price is CNY 200–400/night. Dazu Rock Carvings, this artistic pearl in the land of Ba and Yu, is waiting for every traveler to uncover its mysterious veil and feel the accumulation of thousands of years of history with its unique charm and profound cultural heritage.