Cliff Carvings and Stone Inscriptions at Huangling Temple

Cliff Carvings and Stone Inscriptions at Huangling Temple

The Cliff Carvings and Stone Inscriptions at Huangling Temple are a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

Cliff Carvings and Stone Inscriptions at Huangling Temple (Linshui County)

Located on approximately 500 square meters of cliff faces on the southern and eastern cliffs of Huangling Mountain in Huangling Village, Longqiao Township, Linshui County, there are a total of three cliff-carved niches, seven inscribed stone tablets, and four cliff tombs. Built during the Song Dynasty and continued through the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The three niches contain 42 carved figures, which were created during the Song Dynasty.

Viewed head-on, they sit on a vajra pedestal. On either side are two disciples and bodhisattva figures each. Their attire has been completely Sinicized, showing no decorative features typical of Buddhist statues. The carvings are proportionate, with smooth lines and are well-preserved.

There are seven inscribed stone tablets and four cliff tombs; the monks’ cremation burial caves—judging from the tomb’s carving style—indicate that all three cliff tombs date back to the Song Dynasty. All are distributed along the eastern cliff face of Huangling Temple Mountain.

According to the county annals: “Huangling Temple was built during the Chunxi era of the Song Dynasty, located fifty li south of the district, with many cliff Buddha statues, some standing over ten feet tall, all exquisitely carved.” This confirms that the stone carvings and statues at Huangling Temple are undoubtedly from the Song Dynasty. Inscriptions also support this. Investigations show that Huangling Temple originally had three main halls and side rooms, plus a "Scripture Tower" at the top of the mountain behind the temple, giving it a rather grand scale. Only the stone carvings and remains of the temple structure remain today. In 2004, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit by the Guang’an Municipal People’s Government.

Protected Area: East extends 50 meters beyond the eastern edge of the burial niche; South extends 80 meters beyond the southern edge of the No. 5 stone inscription; West extends 100 meters beyond the western edge of the No. 1 cave; North extends 80 meters beyond the northern edge of the No. 3 cave.

Construction Control Zone: Extends 50 meters beyond the protected area.