Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing: Top Highlights & How to Visit
The Dazu Rock Carvings are beautifully preserved relics that date back to the Tang Dynasty and are some of China's most impressive cultural and religious treasures. They span the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you're interested in Buddhism, Confucianism, art, or ancient history, the Dazu Caves are a must-visit.
Row of painted dazu guardian statues
Dazu Rock Carvings: Essential Travel Information
Painted bodhisattva in dazu carving
These caves date back to 650 C.E., when the first Tang carvings appeared, celebrating the rise of Buddhism in China. During the Song Dynasty, the carvings expanded in scope, detailing day-to-day life in the Beishan and Baodingshan regions, and continued during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, the Dazu Rock Carvings are protected and preserved by the Chinese government and are an important piece of priceless cultural heritage.
- Ticket Price: Combined Admission Ticket 140 RMB during peak season and 120 RMB during off-season
- Location: Dazu District in the Chongqing municipality
- Recommended Visiting Time: 5 to 7 hours
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Who This Site Appeals To: Anyone interested in culture, history, and religion; photographers
Recommended Tour Itinerary
Top Highlights and Attractions of Dazu Caves
Although every aspect of the cave complex is awe-inspiring, there are a few attractions that we consider the absolute highlights.
Baodingshan
This area, also known as "Great Buddha Bend," was enhanced by the Zhao Zhigeng of the Song Dynasty and remains one of Dazu Caves' most impressive parts. You'll find 10,000 statues, plus fantastic carvings depicting the Reclining Buddha and the Grand Avalokitesvara statue. There's also plenty of stone pagodas and the Nine Dragons Wall, which features several overlapping stone dragons and is a great example of artistic Song Dynasty stonework.
Baodingshan is also where you'll find the Shengshou Temple, a Song Dynasty-era religious site known for its beautiful statues and gated courtyards.
Beishan
Buddha triad and arhat figures
See more stunning Song and Tang sculptures and carvings at Beishan. This area has 5,000 statues and some of the oldest works in Dazu Caves. Special pieces include the Buddha Triad and Arhat figures, but this region is also well-known for its depictions of daily Chinese life. If you're interested in getting a peek into the past, this is one spot that you don't want to miss.
Nanshan Rock Carvings
This area features 15 caves full of hundreds of statues and carvings that celebrate China's Buddhist and Taoist faiths. You'll find the peaceful Sanqing Ancient Grotto here, which is an excellent place to rest and reflect. It's also an incredible example of the fusion of nature and art, as many of the reliefs and sculptures perfectly mesh with the natural landscape.
Shimenshan Rock Carvings
The Shimenshan Rock Carvings feature images of day-to-day life during the Song Dynasty, plus folklore and religious works carved directly into the cave walls themselves. It's smaller than some of the more popular sites, but a magnificent example of religion and culture combined in gorgeous panels, scenes, and stories.
Shizhuanshan Rock Carvings
Vivid dazu rock carvings
You'll find Confucius and Buddha statues, plus depictions of legends and daily life at the Shizhuanshan Rock Carvings. Like the Shimenshan Rock Carvings, these works are integrated into the cave walls. Some parts of Shizhuanshan can be steep, so we recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and take care during wet weather.
Dazu Rock Carvings Digital Cinema
Enjoy two immersive movies at Dazu Caves, both of which tell the story of the place and why it's so important. The first is "Dazu," where visitors are invited to lie down and watch the story of the carvings projected around them on all sides. The second, "Dazu Stone Carvings," is an 8K movie that combines Buddhist chanting and a fully panoramic experience.
How to Get to Dazu Rock Carvings from Chongqing
The closest major city to the Dazu Caves is Chongqing, and you can go between the two by train, car, or bus. A high-speed train from Chongqing West Railway Station to Dazu South takes about 30 minutes, and there are generally 6 trains daily.
Additionally, you could take a bus from Chongqing Jiangbei Bus Station to Dazu Bus Station, which takes 2 hours. Once you arrive in Dazu, you should take a shuttle bus or taxi to the caves.
For the most comfortable experience, we recommend a private car. We can arrange this for you, along with a professional guide to help you understand the history and significance of the rock carvings, so you can simply relax and enjoy your time at Dazu Rock Carvings.
Suggested Travel Route
Dazu thousand hand guanyin statue
The Dazu Caves span a large area, so it's a good idea to have an idea of what you want to see and in what order before you visit. We suggest the following one-day itinerary, which includes Beishan and Baodingshan, the two main areas. This travel route takes between 5 to 6 hours.
- Start at the Dazu Rock Carvings Visitor Center
- Stop Two: Dazu Rock Carving Museum for the digital film experience
- Stop Three: Baodingshan Rock Carvings, including the Shengshou Temple
- Stop Four: Beishan Scenic Area
- End back in Chongqing
Useful Travel Tips
Keep these travel tips in mind to have the best time possible at Dazu Caves. We can also give you personalized advice based on your needs.
- Visit during the autumn or spring for comfortable temperatures and drier weather.
- Set off early, as the more popular areas can get crowded later in the day, and avoid Chinese holidays if you want fewer crowds.
- Wear good, sturdy shoes, especially if you're exploring some of the more off-the-beaten-path areas or planning on walking between caves.
- Don't touch the carvings or go off the marked paths.
- Keep your voice low in religious areas and temples.
- Bring plenty of water and some snacks.
Recommended Tour Itinerary
Step Back in Time at Dazu Caves
The Dazu Rock Carvings will give you a fantastic overview of Chinese cultural and religious life, spanning centuries. Visiting these preserved reliefs and sculptures is sure to be one of the major highlights of your China tour. Visit our contact page or email us at trip@odynovotours.com to start planning your visit today.Quick Question
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