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| Dazu Rock Carvings (Grottos) |
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The masterpiece of China's exquisite grotto art, Dazu Rock Carvings
is a shining star in the stereological art treasure. It enjoys equal
popularity with Dunhuang frescos and forms the trilogy with Yungang
and Longmen Grottos. Having epitomized the art of grotto carvings
in China, Dazu Rock Carvings has not only elevated grotto art of a
certain time but also become an everlasting art monument in the rock
carving field of our country.
Dazu Rock Carvings is the general name of over 50,000 carved figures
of religion in 74 different places within Dazu County.
Dazu County, located in the southeast of the basin-like Sichuan
province, l67 kilometers away from Chongqing to her east, and 27l
kilometers away from Chengdu to her west, has the population of
over 880,000 and the area of about 1,400 square kilometers.
Founded in the first year of Ganyuan in Tang dynasty (758 A.D.),
Dazu county whose name suggests that of "harvest and abundance
(Dafeng, Dazu)" has thus far enjoyed her history of more than
1,230 years.
The work of Dazu Rock Carvings began during the Yongzhen period
of early Tang dynasty (around 655
A.D.), and had continued until Ming and Qing dynasties. Through
the Five Dynasties the work entered its prime time and distinguished
itself during Northern and Southern Song dynasties. Among the carvings
at Dazu are two big grottos under state protection--Beishan and
Baodingshan--in which most figures are concentrated and, which contain
statues and figures of the highest artistic value and most exquisite
technique. Besides, four other attractions: Nanshan, Shimenshan,
Shizhuanshan and Beita are also cultural and historical relics under
provincial protection, while sixty-eight smaller units, including
Miaogaoshan, Shuchengyan, and Jianzishan, are preserved by the county.
The Rock Carvings at BaodingShan is grand and magnificent, and
the statues along with inscriptions
which extend 500 meters long exhibit nothing but an unfolded and
coherent picture scroll. These statuary figures, no one identical
to the other, have long been a marvelous creation even excelling
nature by showing originality and ingenuity. The works at Baodingshan
are marked for the Buddhism of her humane, exoteric and endemic
characteristics, Which is regarded "Chinese pure and simple".
Being "National gems" and "Palace for Oriental speleological
art", Dazu Rock Carvings has been glowing with excellent traditional
culture of our country, and, too, displaying the ability of the
Chinese nation in the absorption of foreign cultures.
For her long history Dazu county has been the land for pilgrims
and other travelers. Since 1980 When she opened her door to the
outside world, tourists both from home and abroad have kept coming,
making Dazu Rock Carvings gradually known all over the world. |
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