China

Dazu Rock Carvings

WHS Score 3.71
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Votes for Dazu Rock Carvings

3.0

  • Matthewsharris

3.5

  • Alex Marcean
  • Dwight Zehuan Xiao
  • Eric PK
  • nan
  • Rainlover91125
  • Shandos Cleaver
  • Solivagant
  • Zoë Sheng

4.0

  • Bin
  • Bundi Cao
  • Christravelblog
  • Els Slots
  • Frederik Dawson
  • Kbtwhs
  • lichia
  • Ludvan
  • Luke LOU
  • Oscar Wu
  • PabloNorte
  • Stanislaw Warwas
  • trekkie900
  • Xiquinho Silva
  • Yang Chengyu
  • YAO WEI

4.5

  • Hanming
  • Jeffrey Chai
  • Pchxiao
  • Petteri
  • Roland

5.0

  • chenboada
  • John Smaranda
  • Monica Tasciotti
  • Ssong.x
  • Szucs Tamas
Dazu Rock Carvings by Els Slots
Dazu Rock Carvings by Els Slots 19

The Rock Carvings in Dazu show the harmonious coexistence of Tantric Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism in medieval China.

These five clusters with diverse cave temple art shed light on the everyday life of the 9th to 13th centuries. They also show the craftsmanship of their artists because of their grand scale and aesthetic quality.

Community Perspective: Allow a day to do this site justice. Baodingshan is the best place to see painted carved figures, while at more museum-like Beishan, two giant Buddhas stand out. The other 3 locations see fewer tourists, as reported by Chris. Frederik has explained the site from an art history perspective. Nan has shared up-to-date practical details from his visit in 2025.

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Dazu Rock Carvings (ID: 912)
Country
China
Status
Inscribed 1999 Site history
History of Dazu Rock Carvings
1999: Inscribed
Inscribed
Type
Cultural
Criteria
  • i
  • ii
  • iii
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
Official
Related
All Links
UNESCO.org
Official Website
Related Resources
News Article
  • 11 May 2018 xinhuanet.com — Rock carving of world's earliest banknote discovered in China
  • 9 May 2014 english.peopledaily.com.cn — Facial mask for centuries-old Goddess at Dazu
  • 18 Apr 2011 news.xinhuanet.com — Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality began constructing a museum for the centuries-old rock carvings of Dazu

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Religious structure: Buddhist
  • Religious structure: Indigenous
Travel Information
Sichuan Hotspot
Sichuan Hotspot
2 - 3 hours by bus
Recent Connections
View all (10) .
Connections of Dazu Rock Carvings
Geography
Trivia
History
  • Fusion
    "Tantric Buddhism from India and Chinese Taoist and Confucian beliefs came together at Dazu"
Architecture
World Heritage Process
Religion and Belief
  • Taoism
    Dazu for its outstanding evidence of the harmonious synthesis of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism (AB)
  • Confucianism
    Dazu for its outstanding evidence of the harmonious synthesis of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism (AB)
Constructions
Timeline
  • Built in the 7th century
    "The Dazu Rock Carvings are a series of Chinese religious sculptures and carvings, dating back as far as the 7th century AD, depicting and influenced by Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist beliefs." - wiki
WHS Hotspots
News
xinhuanet.com 11/05/2018
Rock carving of world's earliest b…
english.peopledaily.com.cn 09/05/2014
Facial mask for centuries-old Godd…
news.xinhuanet.com 18/04/2011
Southwest China's Chongqing Munici…

Community Reviews