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Photo: Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Baodingshan Rock Carvings is located 15 kilometers northeast of Longgang Town in Dazu County, with an elevation of 527.83 meters. The cliffside carvings at Baodingshan Rock Carvings began during the Southern Song Dynasty and cover an area of 2.5 kilometers, featuring numerous Buddha statues carved into the surrounding rock formations. These carvings include the main sites of Dafowan and Xiaofowan, centered around the Shengshou Temple, and are distributed across the eastern, southern, and northern faces of the mountain. There are over 360 large-scale carvings, among which the most notable are the Six Realms of Reincarnation, the Grand Treasure Pavilion, the Huayan Trinity, and the Thousand-Hand Guanyin. The Shengshou Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple in eastern Sichuan, is located at Dafowan of Baoding Mountain and was established during the Southern Song Dynasty.
Baodingshan is a Buddhist site in Chongqing. The site is located on a limestone outcropping at an elevation of 500 meters, fifteen kilometers north of the center of Dazu District, a market town that dates to 758 CE and the city is ringed by religious sites dating from 892 to 1249 CE. Primary construction at Baodingshan took place during the Southern Song dynasty but it remained largely unknown to the outside world until its reopening to the public in the 1980s, the earliest documented research on the site dating to 1944. The site has since been designated a World Heritage Site since 1999, falling within the collective grouping of Dazu Rock Carvings, a reference to the district in which Baodingshan is located. Dazu County covers 1400 square kilometers northwest of Chongqing on the road to Chengdu. During the Song dynasty, this area of the Chengdu plain was considered one of the wealthiest regions in China.
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大足石刻博物馆
The Art Museum of Dazu Rock Carvings, a national first-class museum in China, primarily exhibits the Beishan Grottoes, Baodingshan Grottoes, Shimenshan Grottoes, and Nanshan Grottoes. As of the end of 2019, the museum's collection included a total of 614 items/sets. The museum adopts an open layout, with most artifacts displayed without protective glass covers. Among these directly exhibited artifacts, more than 400 are original cultural relics. The museum is closed on Mondays, so visitors are advised not to plan their visit on this day.
广大寺
Guangda Temple, originally constructed during the Song Dynasty, is a prominent part of the Dazu Rock Carvings, renowned for its detailed sculptures and artistic significance. The temple offers a glimpse into ancient Chinese Buddhist art and provides valuable insights into religious and cultural practices, making it a compelling site for historical and cultural exploration.
圣寿寺
Shengshou Temple, part of the Dazu Rock Carvings complex, was constructed in the Southern Song Dynasty and serves as the religious center of the Baoding Mountain carvings. It is known for its detailed carvings that blend Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist elements, reflecting the unique cultural integration of the period. The temple’s sculptures, such as the Thousand-Hand Guanyin, showcase exceptional craftsmanship and artistry.This location allows visitors to express their wishes or prayers according to local traditions. You are welcome to make a wish here if desired.
大足石刻游客中心
All visitors to the rock carvings at Baodingshan are required to come to the visitor centre first. After purchasing your tickets (or printing hard copies if you bought tickets online), you may then board a shuttle bus to Baodingshan. The visitor center includes a souvenir store and a cinema.
大足石刻数字影院
The cinema includes a tourism service area, digital cinemas, and a cultural exhibition area. The center features an 8K dome-screen cinema and a 4K wide-screen cinema, each accommodating up to 300 viewers. Both cinemas are equipped with Dolby Atmos technology, providing an enhanced audiovisual experience. The 4K film The World of Dazu narrates the founding and historical evolution of the Dazu Rock Carvings. The 8K dome-screen film Dazu Rock Carvings combines live-action shooting with CG animation to showcase the artistic value of the rock carvings. These two films, serving as complementary parts of the same work, are screened throughout the day and have become an integral part of the Dazu Rock Carvings tour.（Screening schedule: 7 shows every day at 09:30, 10:20, 11:10, 12:00, 13:30, 14:20, and 15:10.）
香国公园
Xiangguo Park is a city park that blends natural landscapes with cultural elements, featuring scenic views and blooming flowers throughout the year, making it an ideal place for leisurely walks and relaxation. The park’s ancient-style architecture and cultural sculptures showcase a strong artistic presence, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in history and culture while exploring. The park offers a variety of recreational facilities, such as children's play areas and fitness trails, making it a great choice for family outings and outdoor activities. There are also tranquil tea pavilions and observation decks where visitors can fully enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the surroundings. Whether for connecting with nature or experiencing local culture, Xiangguo Park is a must-visit destination.