Anju Stone Carvings · Yuanjue Cave Scenic Area

Anju Stone Carvings · Yuanjue Cave Scenic Area

The Anju Stone Carvings · Yuanjue Cave Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a key cultural relics protection unit of China.

The Anju Stone Carvings are characterized by being “ancient, numerous, exquisite, and beautiful”:

Yuanjue Cave

Yuanjue Cave

First, they are “ancient”—carving began during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, flourished in the Tang, Five Dynasties, and Northern Song periods, and hold a unique position in the history of Chinese stone carvings as “bridging the Yungang and Longmen Grottoes with the Dazu Rock Carvings.”

Yuanjue Cave

Second, they are “numerous”—there are over 230 sites of cliff stone carvings, more than 100,000 statues, and over 400,000 characters of inscriptions, distributed across 69 towns and townships in the county. Among them are 10 national key cultural relics protection units. Outstanding examples include the “Venus of the East,” the Zizhu Guanyin (Bamboo Grove Guanyin) of Pilu Cave, and the world’s longest left-side reclining Buddha in the Reclining Buddha Temple.

Third, they are “exquisite.” The Anju Stone Carvings are “innovative”—featuring not only the Zizhu Guanyin of Pilu Cave, acclaimed as “the most beautiful Guanyin in China,” but also the Nirvana statue of Sakyamuni, which breaks from the traditional carving principle of “reclining on the right side with the head to the north, and hands holding the feet.” …At the same time, the carvings are “syncretic,” with Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism sharing the same niche.

Fourth, they are “beautiful.” The unique “modular” arrangement of Anju Stone Carvings, the realistic yet expressive styles, along with the exquisite and delicate carving techniques, have produced many artworks rich in human beauty and aesthetic value, making them extremely significant for artistic appreciation and historical research.

The Anju Stone Carvings · Yuanjue Cave Scenic Area has been successfully rated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction.

Yuanjue Cave is located on Yunju Mountain in Jinhua Village, Yueyang Town, Anju County, Ziyang City, Sichuan Province, about 1 kilometer southeast of the county town, with Provincial Highway 206 leading directly to the scenic area. It originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Five Dynasties and Northern Song periods. It was named after the twelve statues of the Dhyani Buddhas carved in a stone cave during the Northern Song period. It is a comprehensive scenic tourist area integrating stone carving culture, natural landscapes, science education, and tourist reception services.

At the top of Yunju Mountain, surrounded by rocks, main attractions include the Tomb of Chen Tuan, the Memorial Hall of Qin Jiushao, the Yuanjue Cave stone carvings, Jiaozhong Temple, and ancient architecture of -Temple. The stone carvings of Yuanjue Cave are mainly concentrated on the southern and northern cliffs of the West Mountain, covering a carving area 186 meters long. There are currently 103 cliff grottoes, 1,933 statues of various sizes, 25 stone inscriptions, and one Tang Dynasty pagoda. The themes of the Yuanjue Cave cliff carvings are primarily Zen Buddhism, followed by Esoteric Buddhism and syncretic Buddhist-Taoist niches. The carvings depict figures that are dignified and full-bodied, with robust forms, clinging garments, and fluttering ribbons, showcasing the charm of “Cao Clothes Emerging from Water” and “Wu Belts Dancing in the Wind.”

The stone carving art in the scenic area is thrilling. The carvings on the northern cliff mainly feature Guanyin and Sakyamuni, characterized by large niches and massive statues. Among them, the “Three Saints of the West” are the most spectacular, each carved in a separate large niche. The three statues are about 7 meters tall, with handsome faces, graceful postures, harmonious proportions, and ornate decorations. In the center is Amitabha Buddha (Figure 3), with spiral curls, draped in a kasaya, fingers performing mudras, appearing solemn and majestic, like the boundless and awe-inspiring founder of Buddhism. To the left is Guanyin Bodhisattva, wearing a floral crown and beaded ornaments, holding a pure vase in her left hand and a willow branch in her right, stepping barefoot on a lotus, radiating compassion. To the right is the Lotus-Hand Guanyin (Figure 4), with a kind face and composed expression, giving the impression of being the sole bearer of radiant wisdom. These break from the rigid, solemn seating posture of early Chinese cave sculptures, bringing the deities closer to the mortal and human realm and elevating stone carving art to its peak.

The flying apsaras on the side walls of the three major niches (Figure 6) create an illusion of “graceful lightness, celestial garments fluttering, with the whole wall seemingly in motion,” using fluttering ribbons. In the Heavenly Worthy niche on the north cliff, the main figure exudes nobility and grace, resembling a cultivated Taoist master, a rare physical artifact for studying flourishing Tang Taoism.

The Five Dynasties carvings on the southern cliff include as many as 27 themes, with the first appearances of the “Sixteen Arhats,”

“Vaisravana” (Figure 7), the “Hell Transformation Niche” (Figure 8), and the “Kṣitigarbha and Ten Kings Transformation” among other new content. The figures are small and delicate, with vivid expressions, simple attire, and intricate clothing patterns, thin garments resembling silk. They carry both the richness and elegance of the Tang Dynasty and the refined splendor of the Song Dynasty. Niches such as the Wisdom King niche, Thousand-Handed Guanyin niche, Kṣitigarbha and Ten Kings niche, Arhat niche, and Vaisravana niche feature raised scarves and clearly detailed armor scales. This refined carving technique is a successful example of localized folk sculpture. The scenic area is rich in natural surroundings where greenery complements human structures. The Tang Dynasty reliquary stupa appears rustic and solemn. The memorial hall of Qin Jiushao, the great mathematician of the Song Dynasty, is grand and imposing in its architecture.

The Yuanjue Cave Scenic Area is suitable for travel all year round. With fresh air and bright sunlight, it is an excellent destination for sightseeing, recreation, and vacation. Facilities such as food, lodging, transportation, and communication are highly convenient, making it a must-visit spot for travelers to Anju.

Prefecture/City: Ziyang City

Address: Yueyang Town, Anju County

Ticket: 20 RMB/person

Business Hours: 8:00 – 19:30

Contact Phone: 028–24527255

Tourism Complaint Hotline: 028–24520973 | Fax: 028–24536626

Postal Code: 642350

Yueyang Town: The seat of the county government, bordering towns such as Yuanda, Shiqiaopu, Chengbei, Sixian, Yueyuan, and Chengxi. The town covers a total area of 77.2 square kilometers, governing 27 administrative villages with 285 villager groups, 13 communities, and 157 independent residential groups. It has a total of 46,925 households, with a population of 120,581, including 39,676 agricultural residents and 80,905 urban residents. The town has 1,673 hectares of arable land, including 1,077.7 hectares of paddy fields and 595.3 hectares of dry land.

[Natural Environment and Resources] The area features low hilly topography... More details on Yueyang Town ++