Hometown of Li Diaoyuan

Hometown of Li Diaoyuan

The Hometown of Li Diaoyuan is a cultural tourism attraction.

The hometown of Li Diaoyuan, a literary figure, drama theorist, and poet of the Qing Dynasty, is located at the Guanyin Rock Carvings in the northern part of Luojiang County, covering an area of 33,000 square meters. It was first initiated for construction by Magistrate Mian in the 32nd year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty and later rebuilt by Li Diaoyuan. The cliffs feature carvings such as the frontal Guanyin, Thousand-Armed Guanyin, White-Robed Guanyin, Child-Giving Guanyin, Auspicious Guanyin, Salvation from Seven Calamities, the Universal Gate of Guanyin with Manifestations of the Bodhisattva, and the Maitreya Buddha. The cliff sculptures are benevolent in expression, the statue of Skanda is solemn, and the reliefs depicting the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars and the Thirteen Acts of Filial Disobedience and Their Retributions are striking in their moral lessons. Other scenic elements include the Three Fish Stone and Heaven Ladder. The carving area boasts pleasant scenery and delightful natural landscapes. The world’s longest Reclining Lotus Guanyin carving, spanning one hundred meters, has commenced construction. Additionally, the Scenic Spots “Muddy Water Dragon” and “Moon Island” are under planning. Over the years, the local government has built pavilions along the mountain and developed scenic viewpoints, establishing structures such as the Three Phoenix Pavilion, the Misty Pavilion, the Responsive Pavilion, and the Dragon Viewing Platform. Now, the magnificent Guanyin rock carvings and the newly developed attractions complement each other brilliantly, deeply captivating visitors. With an average annual visitor count exceeding 250,000, Guanyin Rock can be considered the most promising and popular destination along the entire tourist route.

Two kilometers north of Guanyin Rock lies the Temple of the God of Literature (Kuixing Hall), where the Sichuan-Bashu prodigy Li Diaoyuan resided and studied during his youth and encountered the divine. Four kilometers west is Li Diaoyuan's former residence — the Xingyuan Garden. The garden houses calligraphy, paintings, and poetry manuscripts by Li Diaoyuan. It is indeed an ideal place to pay homage to this eminent figure and inspire today’s students.