Qionglai Grottoes

Qionglai Grottoes

The Qionglai Grottoes are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The scenery at the Qionglai Grottoes is rather ordinary, and there aren’t many grottoes. However, they are relatively well-preserved, and the statues carved inside are still vivid and lifelike.

1. Huazhi Temple Grottoes

The cliff carvings of Huazhi Temple are located in Group 7, Pantuo Village, Lincong Town, Qionglai City. These carvings were created in the 14th year of the Zhenyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (798), distributed along a 34-meter-long, 10-meter-high cliff by Zhuxi Lake, with 12 niches and one Tang Zhenyuan commemorative stele still extant. The main features of the carvings include Buddhist figures such as the Amitayus Buddha, the Western Pure Land transformation, and the Thousand-Armed Guanyin. The Huazhi Temple cliff carvings are exquisitely and vividly crafted, showcasing the solemn, majestic, and plump characteristics typical of early Chinese Buddhist statuary. The garments are simple, the lines smooth and flowing, the layout rigorous, and the carving techniques powerful and refined—fully reflecting the stylistic influence of both the Northern Wei and flourishing Tang periods. They hold significant value for the study of early Buddhist statuary, artistic styles, and historical changes.

Protected area: Extending 50 meters outward from both ends of the grottoes on the east and west sides, 10 meters outward to the north up to the top of the cliff, and 20 meters inward to the south.

Construction control zone: Extending 50 meters outward to the east, south, and west, and 50 meters outward to the northwest beyond the protected area of the grottoes.

2. Panta Temple Grottoes

The cliff carvings of Panta Temple are located in Group 6, Pantuo Village, Lincong Town, Qionglai City, and were first carved in the 15th year of the Yuanhe era of the Tang Dynasty (820). The carvings are distributed along the rock walls surrounding the main hall, comprising a total of 6 niches. The main contents include: K1 depicting the “Three Saints of the West,” K2 a thousand-Buddha niche containing a total of 903 Buddha figures, K3 illustrating the Western Pure Land transformation, K4 featuring Esoteric Buddhist statuary, K5 heavily weathered and unrecognizable, and K6 a damaged niche. The Panta Temple cliff carvings are well-composed, with concise and refined carving techniques and exquisite ornamentation, fully embodying the rounded and plump characteristics typical of Tang Dynasty stone carvings. They hold high historical and artistic research value.

Protected area: Bounded by the existing enclosing wall.

Construction control zone: Extending 50 meters outward from the protected area.

3. Shisun Mountain Grottoes

The cliff carvings of Shisun Mountain are located in Group 4, Jinggou Village, Datong Town, Qionglai City. These carvings were first created during the Tang Dynasty, extending horizontally across a 120-meter-long, 40-meter-high mountainside, facing southwest and situated northeast, comprising a total of 33 niches. The Shisun Mountain cliff carvings are exquisitely crafted, with smooth lines and naturally expressive figures, rich in content and of great artistic value, offering significant insights into the art of Tang Dynasty Buddhist stone carvings.

Protected area: Extending 60 meters outward from both ends of the grottoes on the east and west sides, 10 meters upward to the top of the cliff to the north, and 15 meters downward to the south.

Construction control zone: Extending 100 meters outward from the protected area.

In 2006, approved and announced by the State Council in Document No. [2006]19, it was included in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Location

Within Qionglai City, Sichuan Province

Further reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units