|
Dazu Stone Caving
In Dazu region, there are the unique series of rock carvings. The
time spans form the 9th century to the 13th century. These rock
carvings are famous for high quality art spanning various subjects.
From secularity to religion, these rock carvings reflect the Chinese
daily social life of that period. In 1999, the world heritages that
China declared had only one approved. That is worlds cultural heritage
Dazu Stone Caving?
Dazu is the hometown of stone carvings. The whole county has more
than 40 stone carvings and over 50,000 sculptures. Among them, the
most famous and largest are Baoding Hill and Beishan (North Hill).
The two hills are under national key cultural protection and is
the art masterpiece of late Tang Dynasty. Dazu County was built
in BC 758. Dazu means adequate harvest. It is well-known as stone
village and metals village. Dazu County has a long history with
a rich natural landscape and tourist resources. Within the county,
the stone sculptures spread widely.
Beishan (north hill) stone carving
Beishan Cliff Statues were carved between the end of the Tang Dynasty
and the end of Southern Song Dynasty. It is located on the north
hill which is 2 kilometers away from the north of Dazu County. Taken
the Buddha Bay as the center, around it is the Goddess of Mercy
slope, Yingpan slope, the Buddha ears rock and Beita temple. The
Beishan stone carving is more than 500 meters long and about 7 meters
high with 5,000 statues. They are delicate and exquisite. Apart
from some stone inscription and tower blocks are broken, others
are kept well.
Baoding Hill
It is 15 kilometers away from northeast of Longgang Town, Dazu County
with an elevation of 527.83 meters. This hill was built during the
Southern Song Dynasty. On the rock within 2.5 kilometers are carved
many statues, including big Buddha Bay and small Buddha Bay. There
are over 360 huge carvings, such as Baolou pavilion, two Huayan
icons and thousand hands Goddess of Mercy.
Nanshan (south hill) stone carving
Nanshan was called Guanghua Hill. It is 5 kilometers away from southeast
of Dazu County. In the past, there was Yuhuang (jade emperor) temple
on the top of the hill. Nanshan stone carving was built between
AD 1127 and 1279. It belonged to Taoist statues. In Ming and Qing
Dynasty, it was rebuilt.
Shizhuan Hill Stone Carving
Shizhuan hill is located in the Fohui village of Sanqu Town, which
is 25 kilometers away from southwest of Longgang Town, Dazu County.
The elevation is 444.6 meters. According to historic record, sculptures
were dug up between AD 1082 and AD1096. Its about 130 meters long.
Each sculpture in Shizhuan hill has its own number. There are totally
ten numbers. The sixth number is Confucius, who was the famous Chinese
philosopher. On both sides of Confucius are his ten disciples. The
seventh number is a niche for a Buddha. The eighth number is a senior
shrine. On both side of it have seven master statues.
Shimen Hill Stone Carving
Shimen hill is located in the Xinsheng village of Shima Town, which
is 20 kilometers away from the east of Longgang Town, Dazu County.
The elevation is 374.1 meters. It was built between AD 1094 and
1151. It is about 71.8 meters long. There are sixteen sculptures
in Shimen hill. They also have their own numbers. The second number
is Jade Emperor. The seventh number is Wutong Emperor with only
one foot. The tenth number is Sanhuang (three emperors) Cave.
|