Bazhong Grottoes

Bazhong Grottoes

The Bazhong Grottoes are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Bazhong Grottoes (Bazhong City)

The statues in the Bazhong Grottoes possess distinctive artistic styles and features.

First is the emphasis on realism. In addition to the unique iconographic conventions of Buddhist statuary, in the carving and painting of certain bodhisattvas and secular figures, the artisans based their work on the various people from the real society of that time and place. As a result, one can even find guardian kings wearing straw sandals and Hariti depicted entirely in the image of a Tang Dynasty woman.

Second is the expression of spirit through form, achieving a unity of form and spirit. The artisans paid close attention to revealing the inner world of the figures through the coordination of facial features, the postures and gestures of the characters, and the overall structure of the carvings. The figures in the Bazhong Grottoes each have distinct personalities and expressions—the solemnity of the Buddha, the compassion of the bodhisattvas, the kindness of the disciples, as well as the might and bravery of the guardian kings and guardian warriors, are all expressed vividly and incisively.

Third is the exquisiteness of the niche lintels and strong decorative quality. While the focus of the statuary is on the figures, the artisans also placed great emphasis on the carvings and paintings of the niche lintels. They designed many house-shaped niches and carved patterns such as flowers, plants, animals, celestial beings, and transformation buddhas. These enhanced the decorative effect and, together with the main statues, played a supportive role in conveying the content of Buddhist themes. At the same time, the use of colors such as green, red, white, blue, and earthy red in the paintings gives the niche lintels a fresh feeling and a majestic momentum.

The art of the Bazhong Grottoes, mostly created during the Tang Dynasty, is a crystallization of the wisdom of the ancient Chinese laboring people. When people enter these grotto sites, they are captivated, enchanted, and moved by the resplendent and magnificent colored carvings. The Bazhong Grottoes are not only material witnesses to ancient civilization but also important physical materials for the study of China’s history, culture, art, and religion today.

1. South Cliff Carvings

Protected area: West to 45 meters west of Shenxianpo cliff, east to the existing boundary of Nanbei Park extended to the south side of the current Nanbei cultural relics management and office buildings, north to 60 meters north of Guanyinyan, south to the enclosed area of the original southern wall of the Nan Cliff carvings.

Construction control zone: West to the boundary of the Jiashuai Stele Forest at Shenxianpo rock mass, east to Taizi Road at the foot of the mountain, north to the descending corridor of Feixia Pavilion, south to the enclosed area of the Liangyazi irrigation channel outside the original southern wall of the Nan Cliff carvings.

2. North Cliff Temple Cliff Carvings (Bazhou District)

Protected area: Front to Badal Highway, back extending 35 meters outward from the top of the cliff, north extending 50 meters from the edge of Xiaoshiba to the camphor tree by the cliff, south extending to Erlang Temple Cliff Carvings.

Construction control zone: An extension of 50 meters beyond the protected area.

3. West Cliff Cliff Carvings (Bazhou District)

Protected area:

Foyewan: East bounded by the edge of the cliff top extending 10 meters eastward to the drainage ditch, west to 33 meters outward from the western cliff, south to 20 meters outward from the southern cliff to Guanyindi, north to 20 meters outward from the northern cliff to the drainage ditch.

Liubeichi: Extending 50 meters eastward from niche 92 to the road junction, extending 50 meters westward from the west edge of niche 53 to the stone lion, extending 10 meters southward from the top of the cliff where the cliff carvings are located, extending 50 meters northward from the cliff where the cliff carvings are situated.

Longri Temple: Extending 50 meters eastward from the guardhouse east of the cliff carvings to the stone retaining wall, extending 50 meters westward from the cliff carvings’ enclosure wall, extending 20 meters southward from the southern enclosure wall of the cliff carvings, extending 5 meters northward from the drainage ditch at the top of the cliff where the carvings are located.

Construction control zone: An extension of 50 meters beyond the protected area.

4. Shuining Temple Cliff Carvings (Bazhou District)

Protected area: Extending 50 meters eastward from the eastern enclosure wall of the cliff carvings, extending 50 meters westward from the western enclosure wall, extending 50 meters southward to the drainage ditch of Badal Highway, extending 25 meters northward from the top of the cliff to the edge of the woods.

Construction control zone: Front to Shinig River, back extending 55 meters outward from the top of the cliff, north extending 150 meters from the edge of Xiaoshiba to the camphor tree by the cliff.