Baoding Mountain Scenic Area

The Dazu Rock Carvings are not just a single set of stone carvings, but rather the collective name for all the stone carvings within the Dazu District of Chongqing. There are as many as 75 sites of Dazu Rock Carvings with more than 50,000 statues, especially those in Beishan, Baodingshan, Nanshan, Shimenshan, and Shizhuanshan Grottoes are the most distinctive. The Dazu Rock Carvings were first created in the early Tang Dynasty, went through the late Tang, Five Dynasties, flourished in the Song Dynasty, and continued into the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Along with the Dunhuang, Yungang, and Longmen grottoes, they form a complete history of Chinese grotto art. The Baodingshan Grotto carvings were excavated by the Dazu monk Zhao Zhifeng from 1174 to 1252, over a period of 78 years. The Baodingshan cliff carvings are the largest in scale at Dafowan and Xiaofowan, distributed on the east, south, and north sides. There are more than 360 giant carvings, with the Wheel of Reincarnation, the vast treasure towers, the Huayan Three Saints, and the Thousand-Hand Guanyin being the most famous. The Thousand-Hand Guanyin of the Dazu Rock Carvings is the only true Thousand-Hand Guanyin in China, with approximately 1006 hands. The niches are densely packed like a honeycomb, and it is hailed as a 'gallery of grotto art' from the late 9th century to the mid-13th century. The Wheel of Reincarnation depicts 90 human figures and 24 animals. In the relentless wheel, a large demon stretches out both arms to embrace the six realms of existence, within which the cycle of life for all beings is carved. The Reclining Buddha of Sakyamuni entering nirvana is about eight meters high and 32 meters long, with a gentle smile and a compassionate demeanor. The Buddha said, 'In life, there is birth and there is death, but only through nirvana can one escape the cycle of life and death.' The disciples are neatly lined up in front of the Buddha, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and reverence, with a sense of reluctant parting. The Dazu Rock Carvings are world-renowned for their grand scale, exquisite carvings, diverse themes, rich connotations, and complete preservation; they are rare in integrating the 'three teachings' of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism; and they stand out in Chinese grotto art with their distinctive national, secular, and lifelike characteristics. 📍Detailed address: Dazu Rock Carvings: Baoding Town, Dazu District, Chongqing Ticket price: From 110 yuan per person

🌟 The Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing, located in the southwest of China, 👑 are hailed as one of the world's eight great grottoes, on par with China's Dunhuang Mogao Caves. Each STONE statue here is a poem of the ages, 📜 telling the legendary stories of a thousand years. For art 🎨 enthusiasts, history 📚 researchers, and cultural tourists 🌍, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is an unmissable journey through time! 🚗 **Specific Travel Route Suggestions** - **Morning Itinerary**: - Set off early in the morning, head west 🏃‍♂️, drive yourself or take the tourist bus 🚌 directly to the Dazu Rock Carvings scenic area, and remember to purchase tickets online _tickets_ to save time. - First, visit the Baoding Mountain carvings 🏞️, admire the 'Pasturing Cattle' and 'Wheel of Reincarnation' carvings, as if stepping into a time tunnel 🕰️; don't forget to visit the Dazu Rock Carvings Museum 📖, to deeply understand the historical and artistic charm behind them. - **Afternoon Journey**: - Continue to explore the Beishan carvings, where the meticulous artistry is truly admirable 😍; after the tour, you can choose to return or leisurely stroll through the pastoral scenery 🏞️. 🍲 **Culinary Recommendations** While appreciating art, you must also taste the authentic Bayu cuisine 😋! Try the 'Posthouse Crucian Carp 🐟', a spicy and fresh catch; and don't miss the hot and spicy Chongqing hotpot 🍲 and classic noodles 🍜, adding a delicious memory to your journey. Shuttle Bus Transportation Hub 🚉 **Transportation Guide** - **Public Transport**: Depart from the major long-distance bus stations in the city to Dazu District, then transfer to a bus 🚍 or taxi 🚕 to the rock carvings scenic area. - **Self-Driving**: From the heart of Chongqing, it's only about a 1.5-hour drive _drive_, with beautiful scenery along the way, making for a better self-driving experience. - **Tourist Line**: You can opt for a one-day tour service, which includes a hassle-free shuttle bus service. 💡 **Travel Tips** 1. As most of the Dazu Rock Carvings are outdoor sculptures, please apply sunscreen _sunscreen_ and rain protection _raincoat_, and wear comfortable walking shoes 👟. 2. Relics should not be touched 🚫, please follow the regulations and visit civilly manners matter. 3. A guided tour or audio guide will help you understand the connotations of the carvings, consider renting a headset_with_speaker. 4. The carvings are widely distributed, please plan your itinerary reasonably, allowing ample time for photography 📷 and in-depth appreciation. Join us in Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings, and let this wonderful journey of a thousand-year-old carvings intertwined with cuisine become a unique cultural exploration stamp in your heart ✨!

Scenic Area Admission Fees: - Off-Season (December 1st to the end of February next year): - Baoding Mountain Stone Carvings ticket: 90 yuan; Shengshou Temple ticket: 20 yuan; Baoding Mountain Stone Carvings, Shengshou Temple combo ticket: 100 yuan; Baoding Mountain, Beishan Stone Carvings combo ticket: 120 yuan; Baoding Mountain, Beishan Stone Carvings, Shengshou Temple combo ticket: 130 yuan; Beishan Stone Carvings ticket: 70 yuan. - Peak Season (March 1st to November 30th): - Baoding Mountain Stone Carvings ticket: 120 yuan; Shengshou Temple ticket: 20 yuan; Baoding Mountain Stone Carvings, Shengshou Temple (Guangda Temple) combo ticket: 130 yuan; Baoding Mountain, Beishan Stone Carvings combo ticket: 170 yuan; Baoding Mountain, Beishan Stone Carvings, Shengshou Temple (Guangda Temple) combo ticket: 180 yuan; Beishan Stone Carvings ticket: 90 yuan. - Ticket Concessions: - Children under 1.20 meters in height can visit for free; - Domestic seniors aged 60 to 69 years old (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) can visit at half price with valid personal identification; - Students (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) with valid 'Student ID' can visit for free on January 1st, May 1st, May 4th, October 1st, and the first day of the lunar new year, and at half price at other times; - Active duty military personnel, martyrs' relatives, revolutionary disabled soldiers, military* retired cadres, local retired cadres, domestic disabled persons, and seniors over 70 years old (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) can visit for free with valid personal identification.

The Baoding Mountain statues are concentrated in two places, the Big and Small Buddha Bay, with the Big Buddha Bay being the largest. There are more than 30 grottoes in the Big Buddha Bay, mainly large-scale rock carvings, created by the famous Southern Song monk Zhao Fengzhi. The statues were basically built during the Chunxi to Chunyou period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1174-1252), lasting more than 70 years. The statues cover and mix the Esoteric Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, Huayan Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, and Confucian filial piety thought in Buddhism, especially the Esoteric Buddhism theme is prominent, reflecting the active and prosperous religion in the southwestern region of the Southern Song Dynasty. The craftsmen broke the barrier between religion and the secular, making the statues more secular and life-like, not only helping to achieve the purpose of promoting Buddhism and educating believers, but also vividly showing the faith world and real life of local bureaucrats, gentry and ordinary people.