Thousand-Buddha Cliff, Rock-cut Buddhist shrine in Licheng District, China.
The Thousand-Buddha Cliff is a rock-cut shrine where artisans carved Buddhist statues directly into the stone face of a hillside. The cliff stretches along a considerable length and holds multiple rows of Buddha figures in varying sizes, each positioned with individual inscriptions.
A monk named Sha Dong began carving the first statue in 619 AD when already 70 years old. His work continued over time and shaped the religious landscape despite the political pressures of the era.
The cliff displays sculptures of nobility, government officials, and Emperor Taizong's daughter Princess Nanping with her husband Liu Xuanyi.
The site is best reached from Jinan, as it sits in a southeastern direction at a moderate distance. The area around Liubu Village offers natural landmarks for visitors who wish to explore on foot.
Despite Tang Dynasty policies promoting Taoism, Buddhist monks continued carving statues, marking them as prayer objects to minimize political risks.
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