The Dazu Rock Carvings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Chongqing, China. They are a series of intricate stone carvings that date back to the 9th century and depict various Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist religious scenes. These carvings are renowned for their exceptional artistic quality and historical significance, offering a unique glimpse into ancient Chinese religious beliefs and cultural traditions.
How To Get To The Dazu Rock Carvings
The Dazu Rock Carvings are located in Dazu County, which is situated in the Chongqing Municipality of China. To get there, one can take a flight to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport and then travel by road for approximately 2 hours to reach Dazu County. Alternatively, there are also buses available from Chongqing city center that directly connect to Dazu County.
There are actually many carvings sites around Dazu County, which would take some time to see all of them. I only visited one site, the most popular one at Baodingshan. Travel China Guide has more info about the different sites.
Main Carvings To See At The Baodingshan Dazu Rock Carvings
The Dazu Rock Carvings showcase a diverse range of carvings, including intricate Buddhist sculptures, Taoist figures, and Confucian motifs. These carvings depict various scenes from mythology, historical events, and everyday life, offering a fascinating glimpse into ancient Chinese culture and beliefs.
The Baodingshan region is about 12 kilometers northeast of the Dazu District city area. The largest and most well-known of Dazu’s five rock carving sites, it is encircled by historic temples, the Dazu Rock Carving Museum, and a commercial district.
Must see: Sleeping (reclining) Buddha, Taming the Wild Ox, and the Wheel of Time.
Dazu Rock Carvings Museum
There is a museum nearby the site to walk around.
