Ayeyao Grottoes

Ayeyao Grottoes

The Ayeyao Grottoes are a protected cultural heritage site of Hebei Province.

Ayeyao Grottoes

The Ayeyao Grottoes are situated on the mountainside of Xiangshan, southeast of Ayeyao Village, Piancheng Town, about 23.5 kilometers northwest of She County. They face west. These grottoes were carved during the Northern Qi Dynasty and cover an area of 5.64 square meters. The entrance is a rounded rectangle, 1.46 meters in height and 1.1 meters in width, featuring a herringbone groove above it. To the left of the entrance is the north side, and to the right is a statue of a guardian figure. The grotto has a square floor plan, measuring 2.3 meters in width and 2.45 meters in depth, with three sides featuring carved platforms. The front platform originally housed five statues, all in round sculpture form, but these have since been lost, leaving only the pedestals. On the northern wall of the grotto is a carving of one Buddha and two disciples, with the main seated Buddha standing 1 meter tall. The southern wall also features a Buddha and two disciples, with the seated Buddha also 1 meter in height. On either side inside the entrance are carvings of two donors. The ceiling is decorated with the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) and auspicious clouds. Aside from some damage to the heads, the stone sculptures inside the grotto are generally well-preserved. It is now a key cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites of Hebei Province