Dazu Rock Carvings

Dazu rock carvings are to be found in Dazu County, Chongqing. The statues carved out of the rock in cave shrines there were made as early as 650 AD, reached their apogee from the turn of the 9th century to the mid 13th century, and continued under the Ming and Qing Dynasties (the 14th to the 19th century). There are more than 50000 statues carved out of the rock and carved inscriptions of 100000 characters located at 75 places. As an outstanding example of works of art in cave shrines in the later phase of history, Dazu rock carvings are planned on a large scale, varied in subject matter, rich in contents and kept in a good state of preservation. With the portrayal of real life and a strong ethnic flavor, they are a comprehensive expression of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian sculptural arts. Having met the criteria Nos.1, 2, 3 for inclusion of cultural properties on the World Heritage List, Dazu rock carvings were inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1999.

The Sun and Moon Goddess of Mercy of the North,Hill,Dazu