Fahua Cave Grottoes

　　The Fahua Cave Grottoes are located on Mount Hua, about 1 kilometer east of Qingyansi Village, Wu'an City, Handan, Hebei Province. In 1982, they were designated as a provincial-level key cultural relic protection unit by the People's Government of Hebei Province.

　　The grottoes were carved between the seventh year of the Taiping Xingguo era (982 AD) and the second year of the Yongxi era (985 AD) during the Northern Song Dynasty, taking three years to complete. There are currently three caves, all facing west. Except for the middle cave, the left and right caves have been damaged, with no statues remaining. The central cave is 5 meters wide and 7 meters deep. The main statue is approximately 1 meter from the east wall, depicting a half-lotus seated Buddha, standing 2.2 meters tall, clad in a draped kasaya, with a full-bodied form and heavy drapery lines. On either side stands a disciple figure. The north, east, and south walls are carved with thousands of Buddha images, arhats, and donors, among which the center of the south wall features a thousand-armed Guanyin statue, 1.2 meters tall, exquisitely shaped and finely carved, representing the finest work among the Fahua Cave Grottoes.

　　Although many of the Buddha statues are now damaged, their exquisite craftsmanship and vivid forms remain evident, reflecting the flourishing state of Buddhism and the exceptional skill of the carving art at the time.

　　Transportation Guide

　　Location: Northeast of Qingyansi Village, Shidong Township, Wu'an City, Hebei Province

　　Getting there: Take a bus from Wu'an bound for Shidong Township, get off at the Gucheng Overpass, then transfer to a minibus to Qingyansi Village.