Things to do in Anyue

The stone carvings in Yuanjue Cave are divided into north and south cliffs. The north cliff is characterized by large niches and statues, including three large Buddha statues, each about 7 meters tall, standing separately in their respective niches. The central cave depicts Shakyamuni Buddha with a compassionate expression, holding the teaching mudra. To his lower right is his disciple Kasyapa, depicting the scene of the Buddha smiling and spreading the Dharma, which is very similar to the statues in Banbian Temple. The left cave features Guanyin with a vase, holding a willow branch in her right hand and a vase in her left. The right cave features Guanyin with a lotus hand, holding a lotus flower, which is carved using the typical openwork technique of Anyue. Weighing over 100 kilograms, it appears delicate but has remained intact for thousands of years.

毗卢洞的石刻造像开创于五代后蜀，之后历代都进行过培修、补刻。这里曾经是五代至北宋年间四川佛教密宗的主要道场之一。尤其是观音堂内雕刻的那尊“水月观音”，群众称她“紫竹观音”，英籍华人作家韩素英把她誉为“东方的维纳斯”，是全国少有的北宋石刻艺术珍品。这尊紫竹观音高3米，悬坐于那凸露的峭岩石窟之中。她背倚浮雕的紫竹和柳枝净瓶，头戴富丽华贵的贴金花冠；蛾眉上竖，凤眼下垂，直鼻微隆，朱唇略闭；上身穿短袖薄裟，袒胸裸肘，臂戴膀圈，璎珞象随身而泻的金色瀑布，网坠于胸腹；下身长裙薄如蝉翼，紧贴于腰腿之间，衣裙飘逸，富于动感。她坐在一张3米长的弧形荷叶上，上身稍左侧；左手抚撑叶面，右手放在膝盖，五指自然下垂；一双秀丽的赤脚，左脚悬于莲台，轻轻踏着花蕊，右腿弯曲上翘，脚踏莲叶，故人们又俗称她“翘脚观音”。紫竹观音仿佛就是一位丰姿绰约、温柔潇洒的妙龄女郎。她既具少女的妩媚，又具女神的仪容，世俗风味极浓，人们又爱称她为“风流观音”。看了紫竹观音，令人不得不为宋代雕刻大师们那出神入化、巧夺天工的精堪技艺所折服。而如今，因为建国初期对文物保护的不得当，导致紫竹观音的右手掌遭窃，当再次找到右手掌时，却无论怎么接都不能恢复到原来的匀称，所以，如今的右手不是原来的形态。

Many friends have said that the Anyue stone carvings are very beautiful. After looking at several beautiful stone carvings, I came to this stone carving and found that the colors in the back were more vibrant. Later, I learned that they were painted over by people in the Qing Dynasty and modern times. I have to say that the aesthetic sense of the ancients was quite high, but it dropped precipitously after the Qing Dynasty.

This area is quite selective and particularly appealing to those interested in Buddhist statues, scripture, stone carving, Tang and Song dynasty history, and eastern Sichuan architecture. Anyue County boasts a rich collection of stone carvings, with Yuanjue Temple, the Reclining Buddha Temple, and Pilu Cave being must-see attractions. Driving within Anyue is also quite convenient.

The Huayan Cave stone carvings are steeped in history, with exquisite and delicate carvings throughout the grottoes. Each statue is lifelike and expressive, showcasing the astonishing skill of the ancient artisans. The scenic area is uncrowded, offering a tranquil and peaceful environment perfect for leisurely appreciation of the stone carving culture. This less-traveled historical site, untouched by excessive commercialization, is well worth a special trip for those who appreciate historical stone carvings.

Mingshan Temple was founded during the Yuanhe period of the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Northern Song Dynasty. Most of the existing statues were carved during the Northern Song Dynasty. Most of them are well preserved and magnificent. There are 20 existing caves and niches, with 63 statues. Although they are not as shocking and spectacular as the Dazu Rock Carvings, if you appreciate them carefully, you will find that each statue carries the vicissitudes of history. The stone carvings are carved on the mountain. There are more than 60 Tang and Song Dynasty statues. Although the number is small, the statues are magnificent and the stone carving art is exquisite. The focus and essence are all on the mountainside, which are all extremely valuable cliff stone carvings.

The dome movies and digital displays were very well made. It was inconvenient for the elderly to climb the mountain, but after visiting here, they felt as if they were there in person and said that the trip was worthwhile.

The Tapo Cliff Statue is a provincial cultural relic protection unit. There are three existing statues of the Three Holy Ones of Huayan in the Song Dynasty. The statue of Vairocana Buddha in the middle and the statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva on the left are well preserved, with exquisite shapes and exquisite workmanship. They can be called the pinnacle of stone carvings in the Northern Song Dynasty. The statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva on the right was reshaped in the Qing Dynasty due to the collapse of the face. There is actually only one temple in the Tapo Cliff Statue, which is not very big. I heard that it was opened during the National Day holiday. So the door of the room was closed as expected this time, and the contact number of the cultural relic protection staff on the wall was just right torn off [Trick], but two benches were placed outside the locked door for tourists to climb up, hold the wall, and look inside through the window. Although the road to Tapo is not easy to walk, it is still recommended to have a look if you have the chance. This is the real essence of Anyue stone carving.

Qianfo Temple, a Buddhist holy site with a long history, attracts numerous tourists with its unique cultural charm and exquisite architectural art. The following is a detailed review of Qianfo Temple: Historical and Cultural Value - Long History: Qianfo Temples in different regions all possess profound historical heritage. For example, Yibin Qianfo Temple was first built in the Tang Dynasty, Chongqing Qianfo Temple in the Ming Dynasty, and the Huangling Qianfo Temple Grottoes were carved in the Song Dynasty, witnessing the inheritance and development of Buddhist culture in these areas. - Profound Cultural Accumulation: The temples preserve a wealth of Buddhist scriptures, historical relics, and grotto statues, possessing significant cultural research value. For example, the original Song Dynasty architecture and sculptural art of the Huangling Qianfo Temple Grottoes provide valuable materials for the study of ancient architecture and sculpture. Architectural and Artistic Features - Unique Architectural Style: The buildings in Qianfo Temple are mostly traditional flying eaves and upturned corners, built against the mountainside, with a rigorous layout and magnificent scale. For example, the Chongqing Qianfo Temple has multiple halls, including the Mountain Gate Hall, the Great Buddha Hall, and the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall, arranged in a harmonious and orderly manner. - Exquisite Buddha Statues: The Buddha statues in the temples are exquisitely carved, lifelike, and full of artistic appeal. Whether it's the largest Buddha statue in Jiangnan at Xinchang Dafosi Temple or the Thousand-Hand Guanyin at Fushun Qianfosi Temple, they all showcase the superb skills of ancient craftsmen. Natural Landscape and Cultural Atmosphere - Tranquil Environment: Most Qianfosi Temples are located in mountainous forests, offering a tranquil environment with fresh air, providing visitors with a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. For example, the Qianfosi Temple on Cuiping Mountain in Yibin is surrounded by ancient trees, offering beautiful scenery. - Rich Cultural Atmosphere: The temples are bustling with worshippers and Buddhist activities, allowing visitors to experience a rich Buddhist cultural atmosphere, participate in meditation and worship, and cleanse their minds. Tourist Facilities and Services - Convenient Transportation: Most Qianfosi Temples are easily accessible by a well-developed transportation network. For example, the Chongqing Qianfosi Temple is located next to Nanbin Road, and the Yibin Qianfosi Temple is directly accessible by bus. - Comprehensive Service Facilities: The temples are surrounded by parking lots, restaurants, shopping, and other supporting facilities to meet the diverse needs of visitors. Some Thousand Buddha Temples also offer guided tours to help visitors better understand the temple's history and culture. In conclusion, Thousand Buddha Temples, with their profound historical and cultural heritage, unique architectural style, beautiful natural scenery, and rich cultural atmosphere, have become popular tourist destinations.

When you come to Anyue County, besides Yuanjue Temple, another place worth visiting is Qianfozhai. However, because the public transportation in Qianfozhai is not very convenient, many people will give up. I rode a shared bicycle here at that time. Although this is not the place where shared bicycles are stored, it is worth visiting here. It feels like walking in the wild in the Wizard of Oz.