Stone Buddha Gorge

Stone Buddha Gorge Scenic Area: Located in Potou Township, Mianchi County. It consists of two parts — Diecui Valley and Foye Gully — stretching a total of 8 kilometers. The area boasts rich cultural heritage and beautiful natural scenery. Diecui Valley features stunning landscapes: in spring, flowers bloom in clusters; in summer, crystal-clear springs teem with fish swimming near the surface, shrimp, and crabs scuttling about; in autumn, fiery red leaves and fruit-laden branches paint the valley; in winter, the mountains and forests take on a serene, expansive look. Foye Gully houses an 18-foot-tall stone Buddha carved during the Northern Qi Dynasty, along with hundreds of other large and small Buddha statues. Research indicates that these carvings predate the Longmen Grottoes but postdate those of the Yungang Grottoes, representing a masterpiece that combines ancient sculptural art with Buddhist culture. Within the collapsed temple ruins and nearby areas, eight stone steles from the Ming and Qing Dynasties record the temple’s various restoration efforts throughout history.