Cliff Carvings in Zhufeng Gully

Cliff Carvings in Zhufeng Gully

The Zhufeng Gully Cliff Carvings are a cultural relic protection site of Yinchuan.

Located within Maliankou at the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains, over 30 kilometers west of Yinchuan, the carvings are on a massive rock face on the northern side of the gully.

The carving area covers approximately ten square meters. In the middle rectangular niche is a relief sculpture of Sakyamuni, standing 2 meters tall and 1.28 meters wide. With a round face and large ears, bare chest and draped shoulders, the figure has its left hand bent in front of the abdomen and the right hand hanging down over the knee, seated fully cross-legged on a lotus pedestal. To the left is a line-engraved image of Laozi, 2.2 meters tall and 1.1 meters wide, wearing a Daoist cap with long beard flowing over the chest, seated with hands resting on the knees; to the right is a line-engraved image of Confucius, 2.4 meters tall and 1.3 meters wide. With hair tied up, right hand resting on the knee, and seated cross-legged.

The exact age of the carvings remains undetermined. However, the carving technique is refined and the figures vivid. They not only represent a significant piece of rock carving art on the Helan Mountains but also serve as important physical material for studying the region’s stone carving heritage. On April 24, 1993, they were designated as part of the second batch of municipal-level cultural relic protection units by the Yinchuan Municipal People’s Government.

Source: Yinchuan Municipal Government Portal Website