Chaoyang Thousand Buddha Caves

Chaoyang Thousand Buddha Caves

The Chaoyang Thousand Buddha Caves are located in Nanshuangmiao Township, Chaoyang County. They were built in the 23rd year of Emperor Shengzong Yelü Longxu of the Liao Dynasty (1005 AD).

The caves lie amid high mountains, embraced by stone belts. By climbing up the stone steps, you’ll find the Thousand Buddha Caves. The entrance faces south and is over twenty zhang wide. There are three caves: the East Cave, the West Cave, and the Middle Cave. The East Cave is ten zhang wide, thirty-six to thirty-seven zhang deep, and about fifteen to sixteen zhang high—extremely magnificent. Inside, there are more than a thousand stone Buddha statues, hence the name “Thousand Buddha Caves.” Unfortunately, most of the stone Buddhas have been damaged. In front of the Thousand Buddha Caves lies a broken stele with incomplete inscriptions, but you can still make out the words “23rd Year of the Tonghe Era,” which confirms that the caves were built during the reign of Emperor Shengzong of the Liao Dynasty. The Middle Cave is deep, five zhang wide, five zhang deep, and about thirteen to fourteen zhang high. The lama Loboseng Suniqingeleng built a three-bay Buddhist hall just outside the cave entrance, beneath the rocky cliff. The West Cave is eight zhang wide and contains seven meditation rooms where lamas usually reside.

Built in 1005. The natural stone cave stretches tens of meters in length and several zhang in height, taking on a crescent shape that is truly spectacular. Inside, there are three shrines: the central one is the Stone Buddha Shrine, the eastern one is the Lord Shrine, and the western one houses both the Jade Emperor Shrine and the Bodhisattva Shrine across two levels. The Stone Buddha Shrine enshrines 995 stone Buddha statues of various sizes. These stone Buddhas are remarkably diverse—some crying, some smiling, some missing legs—you name it. There’s even a myth explaining why these stone Buddhas look so unusual.

Legend has it that the Pointing Generals’ Platform was where the great Tang Dynasty general Xue Rengui once set up camp, pitched tents, and appointed military leaders while leading his eastern campaign. Directly opposite the platform to the east lies Chengzi Mountain, with the two mountains being 10 li apart. At the summit of Chengzi Mountain is a well, surrounded by the former camp and barracks of the Xianbei general Gai Suwen, with remnants still visible today.

At that time, Xue Rengui and Gai Suwen commanded their armies from opposing mountain peaks, locked in irreconcilable conflict for the sake of their respective dynasties. They battled face-to-face with bows drawn and arrows flying, yet despite Xue Rengui’s valiant soldiers and capable generals, he suffered repeated defeats and heavy casualties. One evening, after calling back his troops, Xue Rengui rested in the Thousand Buddha Caves and noticed that the stone Buddhas inside were all drenched in sweat. Realizing that these stone Buddhas had been aiding Gai Suwen, Xue Rengui flew into a rage. He grabbed his steel sword and fiercely attacked the stone Buddhas. Out of a thousand, only five managed to “escape” to the Five Buddha Cave on Yangshan Mountain south of the Thousand Buddha Caves. The remaining 995 were damaged to varying degrees. From then on, the stone Buddhas never dared help Gai Suwen again, and Xue Rengui went on to win the battle and achieve great merit. To this day, over seventy stone pillar bases used for tent pegs and one of Xue Rengui’s large footprints remain on the Pointing Generals’ Platform. The radio drama "The Yu’ni River and the Thousand Buddha Caves," which tells the story of Xue Rengui saving the emperor (referring to Emperor Li Shimin at the time), is based here. Therefore, developing tourism at the Thousand Buddha Caves holds profound historical significance.