As Chongqing’s only World Cultural Heritage site and one of the world’s great grotto complexes, the Dazu Rock Carvings carry deep historical and cultural weight. Artistically, historically, and culturally, they hold a rare and irreplaceable appeal.

The carvings began in the Tang Dynasty (Yonghui year one, 650 AD) and were expanded during the Five Dynasties, Song, Ming, and Qing periods. They are spread across 23 locations in Dazu, with 19 concentrated clusters including Baodingshan and Beishan. Over the past millennium, they have survived cycles of construction and damage, and are now globally recognized for their scale, craftsmanship, depth of content, and strong preservation.

How should you explore a site this spread out? This guide covers routes, the character of each grotto group, transportation, and practical tips.

Ticket Information

This is only for references, please double check the price before you go. College students and 60-64 years Seniors can get half price for the tickets.

Most Famous: Baodingshan Rock Carvings

In a narrow sense, when most people refer to the Dazu Rock Carvings, they are specifically talking about the Baodingshan Rock Carvings. These carvings are the largest in scale, the most well-preserved, and primarily focus on Buddhism, representing the essence of the Dazu Rock Carvings.

Relevant Business Information

Opening Hours
Baodingshan Rock Carvings (8:30-18:00, ticket sales stop at 16:30)
Dazu Rock Carvings Museum (9:30-17:00, ticket sales stop at 16:30), closed on Mondays (except for statutory holidays).

How to Get There
By Bus: Direct buses to Dazu city are available from Chongqing's Caiyuanba, Chenjiaping, and Longtousi bus stations. After arriving in Dazu, transfer to Bus 205 to reach the Baodingshan Scenic Area.

By High-Speed Rail: Take the Chengdu-Chongqing High-Speed Rail and get off at Dazu South Station. Then, take Bus 204 or 206 to Dazu city, and transfer to Bus 205 to reach the Baodingshan Scenic Area.

By Car: Take the Chengdu-Chongqing Expressway (G85) and exit at Youting, or take the Chongqing-Chengdu Expressway (G95) and exit at Dazu East, or take the Chongqing-Suining Expressway (G99) and exit at Tongliang.

The Most Ancient: Beishan Rock Carvings

Featuring Guanyin as its hallmark, it boasts the longest history and preserves the most authentic stone carving art. The statues are characterized by distinct personalities, graceful postures, and lavish attire adorned with intricate ornaments. The statue of Samantabhadra is hailed as the "Venus of the East," the statue of Manjusri is praised as the "Handsome Man of the East," and the statue of the Bead-Holding Guanyin is affectionately nicknamed the "Charming Guanyin." Thus, the Beishan Stone Carvings are celebrated as the "Museum of Chinese Guanyin Statues."

Relevant Business Information

Opening Hours
Daytime: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Year-round)
Summer (May 1 - September 30): Nighttime: 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM daily, last entry at 9:30 PM.
Winter (October 1 - April 30): Nighttime: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM daily, last entry at 9:00 PM.

How to Get There
Driving Address: Beishan Road, Longgang Town, Dazu District (Navigate to "Beishan Rock Carvings" for direct access).

The Most Exquisite: Nanshan Rock Carvings

Represented by the Sanqing Ancient Cave, a total of 421 statues are carved, showcasing the application of the circumambulation method in Taoist rituals in the cave's design. Among the Taoist grottoes of the Song Dynasty, this cave features the most exquisite carvings.

Relevant Business Information

Opening Hours: 8:30-18:00 (Ticket sales stop at 17:00)

How to Get There
By Bus: Direct buses to Dazu city are available from Chongqing's Caiyuanba, Chenjiaping, and Longtousi bus stations. Upon arrival in Dazu, take a taxi to reach the Nanshan Rock Carvings.

By High-Speed Rail: Take the Chengdu-Chongqing High-Speed Rail and get off at Dazu South Station. Then, take bus No. 204 or 206 to Dazu city. From there, a taxi to the Nanshan Rock Carvings costs around 10 yuan.

The Rarest: Shizhuan Mountain Stone Carvings

The earliest area in China featuring the integration of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism in sculptural art, particularly the Confucian cave sculpture "The Niche of Confucius and His Ten Disciples" in Cave No. 6, is rare in the world. Shizhuanshan boasts a total of nine groups of sculptures, comprising approximately four to five thousand statues. Among them, the statues of Ksitigarbha, the Laozi Cave, the Cave of the Three Buddhas, the Cave of King Wenxuan, the Cave of Manjusri, and the Luban Cave are well-preserved, while the rest have become indistinct and difficult to discern.

Relevant Business Information

Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM

How to Get There
By Bus: Direct buses to Dazu urban area are available from Chongqing's Caiyuanba, Chenjiaping, and Longtousi bus stations. Upon arrival in Dazu, transfer to a regular bus to Sanqu Town, then walk or take a village shuttle to your destination.

By High-Speed Rail: Alight at Dazu South Station on the Chengdu-Chongqing High-Speed Rail, and take bus routes 204 or 206 to Dazu urban area. After arriving in Dazu, transfer to a regular bus to Sanqu Town, then walk or take a village shuttle to your destination.

By Car: Take the Chengdu-Chongqing Expressway (G85) and exit at Youting, or the Chongqing-Chengdu Expressway (G95) and exit at Dazu East, or the Chongqing-Suining Expressway (G99) and exit at Tongliang.

Most Unique: Shimen Mountain Stone Carvings

Primarily depicting stories of Buddhist and Taoist figures, this is the largest integrated Buddhist and Taoist sculpture area in the Dazu Rock Carvings, with the Taoist-themed caves being particularly artistically distinctive. The works feature plump forms and lifelike expressions, skillfully blending the majestic aura of deities with the vivid demeanor of humans, standing out uniquely in the art of Chinese rock-cut caves.

Relevant Business Information

Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM

How to Get There

By Bus: Direct buses to Dazu urban area are available from Caiyuanba, Chenjiaping, and Longtousi stations in Chongqing. After arriving in Dazu, transfer to a regular bus to Shima Town, then walk or take a village shuttle bus to your destination.

By High-Speed Rail: Get off at Dazu South Station on the Chengdu-Chongqing High-Speed Rail, and take bus No. 204 or 206 to Dazu urban area. After arriving in Dazu, transfer to a regular bus to Shima Town, then walk or take a village shuttle bus to your destination.

Travel Route

It is recommended to visit in the following order: Baodingshan Rock Carvings - Beishan Rock Carvings - Nanshan Rock Carvings - Shizhuanshan Rock Carvings - Shimenshan Rock Carvings.