Cliff Inscriptions and Rock Paintings at Liaoshan

Cliff Inscriptions and Rock Paintings at Liaoshan

The cliff inscriptions and rock paintings at Liaoshan are a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

The cliff inscriptions and rock paintings at Taiyang Liaoshan were discovered in October 1982 by the Gao’an Cultural Relics Census Team at the summit of Liaoshan. They were reported by the Jiangxi Daily in May 1983. Liaoshan is a historically significant mountain in Gao’an, located in Huangjia Village, Liaoshan Village Committee, northwest of Taiyang Town, Gao’an. It borders Huibu and Xiangcheng to the north and Taiyang Town to the south, approximately 38 kilometers from Gao’an, with an elevation of 224.1 meters. The distance from the mountain foot to the summit is about 2 kilometers. Known as "Liaofeng Yixiu" (Liaoshan Peak Embracing Beauty), the mountain once had a Two Generals Temple at its summit, which was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.

At the mountaintop, there are two steep, cliff-like boulders. The cliff faces bear inscriptions and miscellaneous records from scholars, officials, and eminent monks who visited Liaoshan during the Song and Ming dynasties, as well as rock paintings depicting horses, tigers, cats, dogs, mythical beasts, and arhat figures. Existing relics include the North Gang Temple, monks’ quarters, a vegetarian kitchen, and the Liaoshan Cave. Liu Yinglong, Minister of War during the Song Dynasty, once visited Liaoshan. Later, scholars such as Ao Xian, Liu Wenguang, and Zou Yuanbiao from the Ming Dynasty also composed poems and left stone inscriptions about their visits.

In May 1983, the cliff inscriptions and rock paintings at Liaoshan were designated as part of the first batch of key cultural relic protection units by the People’s Government of Gao’an City. In December 2006, they were listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

Further Reading:

· First and Second Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Gao’an City

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Jiangxi Province