Sichuan Ziyang

1.Anyue Rock Carvings·Yuanjue Cave Scenic Area

Anyue Rock Carvings·Yuanjue Cave Scenic Area-A Millennium-Old Gallery of Divine Stone!

Hidden in the lush hills of Sichuan's Anyue County,this breathtaking UNESCO Tentative List site boasts over 10,000 Buddhist statues carved between the Tang and Song Dynasties (8th-13th century).The star attraction?The Yuanjue (Perfect Enlightenment) Cave,where 12 life-size Bodhisattvas emerge from the cliffside with such delicate detail you'll see the folds in their stone robes ripple!

Gasp at the 3.5-meter-tall "Water Moon Guanyin",her serene face tilted as if listening to pilgrims' prayers for 800 years.Nearby,the "Flying Apsaras" ceiling carvings seem to float mid-dance,their fluttering ribbons frozen in sandstone.Don't miss the "Nirvana Scene" where Buddha's disciples weep with such realism,their tear tracks still visible under flashlight.

The magic doubles at sunset,when golden light streams through the cave's "Heavenly Window",illuminating the central Buddha like a divine spotlight.Local monks still burn incense in the Tang Dynasty prayer niches,their chants echoing off walls covered in 1,200-year-old lotus carvings.

2.Banyue Mountain Giant Buddha

Banyue Mountain Giant Buddha-Where the Mountain Transforms into a Divine Guardian!

Carved majestically into a sheer cliff face in Sichuan's Anyue County,the Banyue Mountain Giant Buddha is a breathtaking 22-meter-tall Tang Dynasty masterpiece (circa 800 AD) that seems to emerge from the rock itself.Known as "The Smiling Buddha of Eastern Sichuan",this serene colossus gazes over rolling farmland with eyes that have witnessed twelve centuries of history!

Marvel at how the Buddha's stone robe cascades in realistic folds down the mountainside,his right hand raised in the classic "fear-not" mudra.Local legend says the full moon perfectly frames his halo on the 15th night of each lunar month-a celestial alignment the Tang sculptors engineered with astonishing precision!

Climb the ancient prayer path lined with 1,200-year-old stone lanterns to reach the viewing platform.Here,you'll understand why pilgrims still whisper prayers into the "Echoing Wall" behind the statue-your voice carries mysteriously across the valley!Don't miss the Song Dynasty inscriptions at the base,recording repairs made after a medieval earthquake.

Every spring,the Buddha Bathing Festival sees monks pour scented water over the statue's feet while farmers pray for harvest blessings-a tradition unchanged since the Tang Dynasty!

3.Chen Yi's Hometown

Chen Yi's Hometown-Where a Revolutionary Legend Was Born!

Step into the bamboo-shaded village of Shiyangwan in Sichuan's Lezhi County,where the beloved Marshal Chen Yi-one of China's "Ten Great Marshals" and a key founder of the People's Liberation Army-took his first steps in 1901.This beautifully preserved Qing Dynasty compound isn't just a museum;it's a living portal to the early 20th century,when a bright-eyed village boy grew into a revolutionary giant!

Walk through the wooden study hall where young Chen Yi first read Marxist texts by oil lamp,its walls still bearing his handwritten poem:"For the people's liberation,I'll charge without hesitation!" Nearby,the family rice mortar sits exactly where teenage Chen hid secret messages during the 1911 Revolution.

Don't miss the "Long March Corridor",where holograms recreate Chen Yi's guerilla battles in the Jiangxi mountains.The interactive "Diplomacy Room" lets you "negotiate" with his 1955 Geneva Conference persona via AI-a thrilling fusion of history and technology!

Every August 26th (Chen's birthday),veterans gather at the Bronze Statue Square to sing The March of the Volunteers under his 8-meter-tall smiling likeness.

4.Lezhi Baoguo Temple

Lezhi Baoguo Temple-A Hidden Jewel of Buddhist Serenity!

Nestled in the lush hills of Sichuan's Lezhi County,Baoguo Temple is a 1,400-year-old sanctuary where Tang Dynasty grandeur meets tranquil natural beauty.Founded during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong,this sacred site has been a spiritual retreat for monks and pilgrims alike,offering peace and reflection amidst breathtaking surroundings.

Step into the Main Hall,where golden Buddha statues gleam under intricately carved wooden beams,and the scent of sandalwood incense fills the air.Marvel at the ancient stone sutras embedded in the courtyard,their inscriptions still sharp despite centuries of weathering.Don't miss the Thousand-Armed Guanyin Pavilion,where the goddess of mercy seems to gaze upon visitors with boundless compassion.

Outside,wander through the Bamboo Forest Path,where sunlight filters through swaying leaves,creating a meditative atmosphere.The temple's Lotus Pond blooms spectacularly in summer,its pink flowers symbolizing purity and enlightenment.

Join the monks for morning chanting or a quiet cup of tea in the Auspicious Cloud Teahouse,where time seems to slow down.

5.Huayan Cave

Huayan Cave-A Breathtaking Underground Sanctuary of Buddhist Art!

Tucked into the emerald hills of Anyue County,Huayan Cave is a mesmerizing Song Dynasty masterpiece (circa 12th century) where stone transforms into divine beauty.This sacred grotto isn't just a cave-it's a 10-meter-tall gallery of 159 exquisitely carved statues that glow like amber in the soft lantern light!

Gasp at the centerpiece:the "Huayan Triad",where Vairocana Buddha sits in cosmic meditation,flanked by Manjushri's wisdom and Samantabhadra's compassion,their jeweled crowns still bearing traces of original gold leaf.Look closer-the cave's ceiling is a stone mandala of lotus flowers,each petal thinner than your fingernail!

Don't miss the "Ten Great Disciples" wall,where Song sculptors captured each monk's personality-from the stern Kasyapa to the ever-smiling Ananda.The "Heavenly Musicians" carved above the entrance still seem to play silent melodies on their flute and pipa after 800 years.

Local nuns still chant here at dawn,their voices echoing off walls where pilgrims once traced sutras in the stone.Time your visit for Buddha's Birthday (April/May) when the cave fills with lotus lanterns,their light making the statues appear to breathe!

6.Qianfo Village Scenic Area

Qianfo Village Scenic Area-Where the Mountains Come Alive with a Thousand Buddhas!

Nestled in the lush hills of Anyue County,Qianfo Village is an open-air museum of Tang and Song Dynasty Buddhist artistry,featuring over 3,000 statues carved directly into the cliffs.Imagine walking through a sacred valley where every rock face whispers ancient prayers and every grotto reveals divine craftsmanship!

Marvel at the 15-meter-tall reclining Buddha,his serene expression carved during the 8th century,still radiating tranquility.Nearby,the "Thousand Buddha Wall" dazzles with rows of miniature Buddhas,each uniquely posed-some meditating,some teaching,all glowing with golden hues at sunset.Don't miss the "Dragon and Phoenix Ceiling" in Cave No.12,where mythical creatures seem to flutter across the stone!

Stroll along the "Path of Enlightenment",lined with 1,200-year-old stone lanterns,and pause at the "Echoing Grotto"-whisper a wish,and locals say the Buddhas might answer!The site's magic peaks during foggy mornings,when mist swirls around the statues like celestial breath.

7.Fengling Park

Fengling Park-Lezhi's Green Oasis of History and Harmony!

Nestled in the heart of Lezhi County,Fengling Park (Phoenix Hill Park) is where locals come to exercise,unwind,and celebrate-a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural charm.Named after its phoenix-shaped hill,this 40-hectare retreat has been Lezhi's favorite gathering spot since the Ming Dynasty!

Stroll around the sparkling Emerald Lake,where willow trees dip their branches into the water,and cross the Zigzag Bridge to discover hidden pavilions.Don't miss the Phoenix Tower at the summit-climb its spiral stairs for panoramic views of the city,especially stunning at sunset when the entire park glows golden.

Culture lovers will adore the open-air tea houses,where locals play mahjong under百年 old banyan trees,and the Lezhi Intangible Cultural Heritage Center,showcasing traditional bamboo weaving and folk dances.Kids (and kids-at-heart!) love the mini amusement park with its charming ferris wheel.

Visit during Spring Festival when the park transforms into a lantern wonderland,or in summer evenings when community dance groups twirl to Sichuan folk music under the stars!

8.Ziku Mountain Park

Ziku Mountain Park-Where Chinese Characters Come to Life!

Rising above Anyue County,this unique cultural park celebrates China's 5,000-year-old writing system through stunning landscapes and giant stone carvings.Named after ancient "character repositories" where scholars burned sacred texts,every path here tells a calligraphic story!

Marvel at the 20-meter-tall "Dragon Script" monument,its surface carved with 10,000 characters from oracle bones to modern fonts.Follow the "Five Strokes Trail",where boulders etched with "yong" (eternity) demonstrate perfect brush techniques.Don't miss the interactive sand tables where you can "write" characters with your feet!

The summit's "Cloud Library" pavilion offers panoramic views of Anyue,with glass floors revealing buried replicas of Song Dynasty printing blocks.Time your visit for the September Calligraphy Festival,when masters create giant water-written poems on the plaza!

9.Pilu Cave Relics Scenic Area

Pilu Cave Relics Scenic Area-A Hidden Treasury of Song Dynasty Buddhist Art!

Tucked away in the lush hills of Anyue County,Pilu Cave is a mesmerizing 12th-century grotto complex where stone transforms into celestial beauty.This UNESCO-tentative site boasts some of China's most exquisite water-moon Guanyin carvings,each statue glowing with serene grace after 800 years!

Gasp before the 3.2-meter "Luxurious Seat Guanyin",her right leg casually pendant as she gazes upon visitors with a smile that seems to follow you around the chamber.Nearby,the "Ten Bhuddist Disciples" wall captures each monk's personality in stone-from the stern Mahakasyapa to the youthful Ananda,their facial wrinkles and robe folds carved with Song Dynasty precision.

Don't miss the "Pilu Mandala Ceiling",where lotus-bearing apsaras appear to float on swirling clouds,or the secret "Diamond Sutra" niche only visible when morning light hits at a 23-degree angle!Local nuns still burn pine-resin incense here,its fragrance mingling with the cave's natural sandstone scent.

Time your visit for sunrise (6:30-7:45am) when golden light streams through the cave mouth,illuminating Guanyin's face like divine radiance!

10.Yuanjue Cave

Yuanjue Cave,a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Sichuan Province!Known for its stunning Buddhist grottoes,lush landscapes,and rich cultural heritage,this scenic area offers a perfect blend of history,spirituality,and natural beauty.

Dating back to the Tang and Song Dynasties,Yuanjue Cave is famed for its exquisite Buddhist rock carvings.The grottoes house over 1,000 statues and intricate reliefs,including the magnificent "Three Saints of the West"-Amitabha Buddha,Avalokiteshvara,and Mahasthamaprapta-each masterfully carved into the cliffs.As you explore,you'll feel the serene aura of ancient devotion and artistry.

Surrounded by rolling hills and verdant forests,the area is a paradise for nature lovers.Walk along the peaceful trails,listen to the whispers of the wind through the trees,and enjoy panoramic views of the Anju River Valley.Don't miss the "Echo Wall",where your voice magically reverberates against the ancient stones!

Whether you're a history buff,a photography enthusiast,or seeking tranquility,Yuanjue Cave promises an unforgettable experience.Take a deep breath,soak in the sacred atmosphere,and let the whispers of the past guide your journey.