Thousand Buddhas Cliff, Buddhist cave sanctuary in Jiajiang County, China.
Thousand Buddhas Cliff is a cave sanctuary stretching 63 meters long and carved with over 210 Buddhist statues along with 43 stone inscriptions spanning different periods. The site contains four separate caves named Longquan, Jile, Qianlou, and Luzu, each showing distinct architectural and artistic features.
The first Buddha sculpture was created in 619 AD by monk Sha Dong, with monk Ming De adding more carvings after waiting 25 years. This sustained effort across generations shaped how this sanctuary looks today.
The carvings depict members of the imperial family, including Princess Nanping, daughter of Emperor Taizong, and her husband Liu Xuanyi. These figures show how closely political power and Buddhist art were connected, something visitors can observe in the fine details of the stonework.
The site requires walking on uneven ground with steps, so wear appropriate footwear and be prepared for some physical effort. Plan enough time to explore all four caves thoroughly.
These sculptures were created during a period when the Tang dynasty officially favored Taoism over Buddhism. This makes the sanctuary a powerful example of private religious belief persisting despite state opposition.
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