Dazu Rock Carvings, Rock carvings in Dazu District, Chongqing, China.

Dazu Rock Carvings are stone sculptures spread across five mountains and carved into limestone cliffs and cave walls. Together they contain roughly 50,000 statues and 100,000 Chinese characters carved into the natural stone surfaces.

Carvings at Dazu began in 650 AD under the early Tang, and the main campaign opened in the late 9th century when Wei Junjing, Prefect of Changzhou, started work on Mount Beishan. Local gentry, monks, nuns and ordinary people continued through the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907–65). In 1179 the monk Zhao Zhifeng began Baodingshan, where carving went on for more than 70 years.

The carvings reflect how Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian beliefs merged into a single artistic vision across the mountains. You can see this blend in the religious figures and written passages carved directly into the stone.

Access to the site works best through organized tours from Chongqing city, which sits roughly 165 kilometers away. Wear comfortable walking shoes and plan to spend several hours exploring the carved mountains at your own pace.

Mount Baoding arranges its carvings in a U-shaped valley formation, while Mount Beishan displays roughly 300 meters of unbroken cliff sculptures from the 9th century. Each mountain offers its own distinct layout and visual experience to visitors.