Dongbin Pavilion

Dongbin Pavilion

Dongbin Pavilion — A Treasure Trove of Ancient Art in Luzhou

By Wang Yinghuai

Luzhou, with its enchanting scenery, exquisite wine, and captivating natural beauty, has attracted poets and scholars since ancient times, many of whom stayed here, enchanted and unwilling to depart. The great Qing Dynasty poet Zhang Chuanshan was so captivated by Luzhou’s splendor that he expressed his heartfelt love through the couplet: “A thousand poems composed to the rhythm of high mountains and flowing streams; a boatful of wine sipped under the bright moon and gentle breeze.” Luzhou boasts not only breathtaking landscapes and hospitable blue skies and clear waters but also a wealth of well-preserved historical and cultural heritage. Dongbin Pavilion is one of these treasures.

Statue of Lü Dongbin

Also known as Mengxian Pavilion, Dongbin Pavilion is located about 1.5 kilometers from the center of Luzhou City, within Yutang Town in Longmatan District. Nestled where the Yangtze River and Tuojiang River converge, the pavilion is built into the hillside and named after the legendary Eight Immortals figure, Lü Dongbin, whose likeness is carved here. Originally constructed during the Ming Jiajing era (1522–1572), it was expanded in the 23rd year of the Qing Kangxi reign (1684) and rebuilt in the 5th year of the Daoguang reign (1825). From the pavilion, visitors can gaze out over the vast panorama of Luzhou City. Overlooking the confluence of the two rivers, where the surging waters crash with a thunderous roar, evokes a sense of awe and inspiration. But that’s not all — even more breathtaking sights await.

What makes Dongbin Pavilion truly captivating is its exquisite stone carving art. The pavilion houses well-preserved cliffside statues spread across a 43.50-meter-long, 7.10-meter-high rock face, totaling 202 figures. Among them, the statues of Lü Dongbin and his disciples, along with the Thousand Buddha Cliff carvings, are remarkably intact and vividly lifelike. The Luzhou Stone Carving Art Museum is located here. It is the province’s only museum dedicated to stone carving art and currently the largest specialized, period-specific stone carving museum in Southwest China. Its collection, in both scale and quantity, is among the most significant in the nation’s stone carving museums. The museum houses nearly 600 sets of stone carving masterpieces spanning over two millennia, from the Han, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties to modern times. Most of these were unearthed in the hilly regions north of Luzhou, including 256 pieces classified as national treasures or higher (Grade 3 or above). These remarkable stone carvings vividly showcase over two thousand years of Luzhou’s rich historical and cultural heritage, serving as a living testament to the city’s economic and social development.

Stepping into Dongbin Pavilion, you’ll find yourself immersed in a profound and timeless corridor of stone carving art. Here, you can admire the Han Dynasty stone coffins from Hejiang, hailed by experts at home and abroad as the “most unique and numerous.” You can also stroll through the Song Dynasty tomb carvings, renowned as China’s “unique southern scenic line.” Marvel at the Ming Dynasty cliff carvings of Lü Dongbin and the Thousand Buddhas, as well as the elegant Qing Dynasty stone Buddhist sculptures. There’s also the relocated “Hundred Sons Cliff Inscription” from the Tang to Qing dynasties, and the grand “Lexianghao Archway” from Hongdao Hall, commissioned by Emperor Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty.

Dongbin Pavilion leaves a profound impression and sparks the imagination with legends about Lü Dongbin. On either side of the Cliffside statue niche dedicated to Lü Dongbin, there is a couplet describing his persona:

Drunk under the moon by the river, reveling through eternity,

Awakening souls through dreams, blessing the land of Sanlu.

The tale goes that Lü Dongbin, riding a crane across the world, once passed through Luzhou. Peering down from the clouds, he was struck by the city’s enchanting beauty and couldn’t tear his eyes away. Drawn by the rich aroma of wine, a temptation he could never resist, he descended. He entered Luzhou’s finest tavern and drank bowl after bowl without ordering any side dishes, drinking to his heart’s content. Sober no more, Lü Dongbin staggered to the Yangtze Riverbank, collapsed on the sand, and fell into a deep slumber. He lay drunk for three full days and nights as the river lapped at the shore and waves washed over him. The cool spray refreshed him upon waking, leaving his head clear and his spirits light. “What fine wine!” he exclaimed. Gazing at the endless flow of the Yangtze, emotions surged within him, inspiring him to spontaneously recite a poem:

Today I ride my crane to Luzhou,

Drinking deeply for three days to soothe my woes.

Lying drunk upon the river’s sandy shore,

Sipping waves and gulping down my wine store.

From then on, Lü Dongbin chose to stay in Luzhou, savoring its fine wines day after day.

Through years of preservation and development by the people of Luzhou, Dongbin Pavilion has become a renowned tourist attraction. It is not only a treasure trove of ancient art but also a beloved and enduring friend.

Contact Number: 18121973360