CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO DAZU ROCK CARVINGS
The autumn sun, still low in the sky, spreads soft golden light over the gray stone cliffs of Dazu. It is around 9 o’clock, and the air is fresh, carrying a faint sweet smell of osmanthus from the trees along the winding stone paths. A gentle wind blows, making the leaves of ancient cypress trees rustle—these trees stand like silent guards beside the steps, their branches moving slowly as if sharing the secrets of hundreds of years. Located in Dazu District, about 80 kilometers west of downtown Chongqing, this precious collection of human art and devotion—the Dazu Rock Carvings—has stood against time for over a millennium.
Carved into the rock from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, this UNESCO World Heritage Site (listed in 1999) encompasses 75 cliff carving groups and more than 10,000 statues. Every figure, whether a calm Buddha, a kind Bodhisattva, or a mythical guardian, is crafted with immense care. Their expressions are frozen in stone yet brim with life: the half-closed eyes of a Bodhisattva exude serenity, while the firm gaze of a guardian conveys unshakable courage. As you walk along the narrow paths, you’ll notice visitors from all over the world—some leaning in to study the fine details, others taking photos to capture the moment, and a few sitting quietly on stone benches, lost in contemplation.
The first thing that strikes you about the carvings is the texture of the stone. Worn by time and natural forces, their surfaces bear marks of history: small cracks, smooth patches softened by rain and wind, and a deep earthy gray-brown hue that darkens gently in the sunlight. Touching the stone (gently, as signs everywhere remind you not to damage it) feels cool, a stark contrast to the warm sun on your skin. Running a finger over a carved robe, you can almost sense the hands of the craftsmen who worked here centuries ago—their patience, their skill, and their unwavering faith poured into every chisel stroke.
The air is filled with a quiet bustle. Small groups of visitors walk along the paths, their voices low out of respect for the site’s spirituality. Guides, holding small flags, point out hidden details—a tiny lotus flower at the base of a statue, faint inscriptions carved into the rock—and share stories of how these works were created, who funded them, and what they symbolize. In the distance, the soft toll of a bell from a nearby temple in Fowan echoes, mixing with the rustle of leaves and the murmur of conversations to create a sound that feels both timeless and deeply peaceful.
This is a place where art, history, and spirituality converge. Here, you can stand before a statue carved 1,000 years ago and feel a connection to the people who once prayed here, who turned rough sandstone into expressions of their deepest beliefs. The Dazu Rock Carvings are not just stones and figures; they are living proof of human creativity, a window into a long-gone world, and a reminder of art’s enduring power to transcend time.
In the following pages, we will embark on a journey through this extraordinary site. We will explore its history, from the first chisel marks in the Tang Dynasty to the final additions in the Qing Dynasty. We will admire its greatest artworks and uncover the stories behind famous carvings like the Thousand-Hand Guanyin and the Great Buddha of Baoding Mountain. We will examine the challenges it faces today—from extreme weather to the impact of tourism—and learn about the efforts to protect it for future generations. Along the way, we will understand why the Dazu Rock Carvings continue to attract and inspire visitors from every corner of the globe.
But for now, let’s savor this moment: the golden sunlight, the sweet scent of osmanthus, the quiet wonder of the people around us. Let the charm of these stone carvings touch your heart. Welcome to Dazu.
