Stone Carvings and Statues at Zhaobadong Cave

Stone Carvings and Statues at Zhaobadong Cave

The stone carvings and statues at Zhaobadong Cave are a cultural relic protection unit of Jinan City.

The stone carvings and statues at Zhaobadong Cave are the largest grotto carvings in Zhangqiu, located 800 meters south of Zhaobadong Village in Yanjiayu Township, Zhangqiu District. Situated beneath the peak of Xishan Mountain, the site is surrounded by steep cliffs on the east, south, and west sides. A rugged path from Zhaobadong Village leads to the cave entrance. Zhaobadong is a natural stone cave, with its opening facing northeast, measuring about 8 meters in width and extending approximately 50 meters in depth, with a height of around 5–20 meters. In the southwest corner, there is a stone bed and stone table, and further southwest lies a deep cave with a narrow entrance that only allows one person to pass through. Five meters inside the cave, the north and south walls feature 85 relief carvings carved during the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. About 1.5 meters from the cave entrance on the south wall, there is a stone plaque inscribed with four running script characters: “通天透地” (Penetrating Heaven and Earth), signed “April, Jiyou Year of the Jiajing Reign, Ming Dynasty, Su Zhou (Snow Cape) for Zhonglu Shanren of Longdong.” The calligraphy is bold yet orderly, exuding remarkable charm, making it a rare masterpiece of calligraphic art. Inside the cave, stalactites are abundant, and the ground features clear, cool pools of water that are refreshingly invigorating — making it an excellent summer retreat. The stone carvings and statues at Zhaobadong Cave were designated as a municipal-level key cultural relic protection unit by the Jinan Municipal People’s Government in September 1979.