The Maha Cliff Tomb

The Maha Cliff Tomb

The Maha Cliff Tomb is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Maha Cliff Tomb is located in Maha Bay, about 1 kilometer from the suburbs of Leshan City, Sichuan Province.

The Maha Cliff Tomb is a cliff tomb from the Eastern Han Dynasty. The tomb chamber consists of several parts: the tomb gate, the main hall, the passage, and the coffin chamber. It is 29.93 meters deep, 10.9 meters at its widest point, and 2.8 meters at its highest. On the right doorpost of the second tomb passage entrance is inscribed “Wuyang Yuan,” and on the left is “Yangjia Third Year.” The left side of the inner doorway frame is inscribed with “Tomb of Deng Jingga,” all in intaglio script using Han-style clerical writing, with bold and unrestrained brushstrokes. “Wuyang Yuan” was an official title in the Han Dynasty, possibly one held by the tomb owner during his lifetime.

The tomb contains rich stone carvings. The tomb gate features carvings of upturned eaves, roof tiles, and dougong (bracket sets). On the lintel above the gate are carved a sheep on each side, along with three relief human figures. The flying eaves of the left tomb gate depict a tiger or leopard-like animal. The three sides of the main hall are adorned with dozens of carved eaves and roof tiles, featuring finely detailed and varied patterns. The relief images carved into the walls of the main hall include “The Imperial Carriage Procession,” “Herdsmen with Horses,” “Feast and Music,” and “Jing Ke Assassinating the King of Qin.” Outside the tomb passage entrance, on the lintel, there is a relief carving of a Buddhist figure sitting in the lotus position, with a high ushnisha (protuberance on the head), a halo, the right hand forming the “fear-not” gesture, and the left hand resting on the knee holding a sash-like object. The figure’s body protrudes beyond the lintel, making it one of China’s earliest Buddhist statues. (National Cultural Heritage Administration)

Protected Area: East to the ridge on the east side of Hutou Bay, west to the ridge on the west side of Dadi Bay, north to the mountain ridge divide, and south to the northern side of Mahao Fishing Village, Mahao Museum, and the line connecting Dadi Bay and Dawanzui foothills.

Construction Control Zone: East to the east side of Lingyun Road, west to the west bank of the Mahao River, north to the southern gate of the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area and the steep slope on the northern side of Huahu Bay, and south to the water area at the southern entrance of Dawanzui.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units