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Dàzú Shíkè = Dazu Rock Carvings

By Jodie S. (chinatraveldepot.com)
Updated: 2011-06-23 15:51

Dazu is an area containing steep hillsides of an extraordinary series of rock carvings dating from the 9th to the 13th century. They are extraordinary for their artistic quality, their rich diversity of subject matter, both secular and religious, and the light that they shed on everyday life in China during this period.

They provide spectacular evidence of the harmonious combination of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Interested in seeing this see what’s offered at China Travels and book your China Tours to witness this amazing part of China’s history.

 

The Dazu rock carvings are located in Dazu County, about 120 km from Chongqing, is the general term for the 76 carved statues located there, and there are a total of 60,000 carvings there in all the grottoes, situated on Beishan Hill and Baoding Hill are the largest in size, richest in worth and most refined in terms of artistic skill. The site made the World Cultural Heritage list in 1961.The carving of Dazu Grottoes started in the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, reaching its peak at Song Dynasty, and continued until Ming and Qing dynasties. Now, it enjoys equal fame with the Yungang Grottoes in Shanxi Province and Longmen Grottoes in Henan province.

The carvings are split into three sections, The Dazu carvings are said to represent the pinnacle of Chinese rock art for their high aesthetic quality and their diversity of style and subject matter.

Tantric Buddhism is said to have stemmed from India and Chinese Taoist’s and Confucian beliefs which came together at the Dazu to create a highly original and influential manifestation of spiritual harmony. Finally the eclectic nature of religious belief in later Imperial China was given material expression in the exceptional artistic heritage in the Dazu rock art.

 

Some of the amazing carvings are midway around the site; you will come upon a 20 meter long, Reclining Buddha inset into the cliff face, fronted by realistic portraits of important donors. The next two panels are the Parental Kindness and Sakyamuni’s Filial Piety; fascinatingly use Buddhist themes to illustrate Confucian morals. Next is the Eighteen Layers of Hell, a horrific scene filled with amusing images like the Hen Wife and the Drunkard and His Mother. The final section illustrates the life of Liu Benzun, a Tang-dynasty ascetic from Leshan showing strong Tantric influence.

What definitely makes the Dazu carvings so special and worth while, is not their scale but the fact that it covers small areas compared to those at Datong, Luoyang and Dunhuang. Also the way the carvings quality and state of preservation has been kept so well and with each variety of subjects and styles. Some sculptures are small, some are huge; many are brightly painted and tell religious, moral and historical stories. To visit this remarkable place, and make it something to talk about with friends and colleagues just take a look at what is offered at China Tours and plan a visit to this once in a lifetime place called China.