The Gallery on the Cliff: Guangyuan Thousand Buddha Cliff and the Jialing River Grottoes

The "Museum of Stone Carving Art" on the Jialing River

1.Located on the eastern bank of the Jialing: River, about 3 kilometers north of the city center in the Lizhou District of Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, the Guangyuan Thousand Buddha Cliff (Qianfo Cliff) is a magnificent display of ancient religious art. As the largest group of cliffside grottoes in Sichuan, it stretches approximately 417 meters long and rises up to 45 meters high. The site is often hailed as a "Museum of Stone Carving Art" due to its massive scale and historical continuity. With over 7,000 Buddhist statues preserved in more than 400 niches and grottoes, the site offers a breathtaking view where the solemnity of Buddhism meets the rushing waters of the Jialing River. Originally forming a natural barrier on the ancient Shu Road (specifically the Jinniu Road section), the cliffside path was once part of the dangerous plank roads connecting Central China to the Sichuan Basin. Today, it stands as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit and a National 4A Tourist Attraction, witnessing over 1,500 years of history from the Northern Wei to the Qing Dynasty,.

A Masterpiece of the Tang and Song Dynasties

2.While the carving began in the Northern: Wei period, the Thousand Buddha Cliff reached its zenith during the Tang Dynasty, particularly under the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, who was born in Lizhou (Guangyuan). The statues here are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship, vivid expressions, and distinct artistic styles that bridge the majestic Northern grotto art (like Longmen) with the unique characteristics of the Sichuan Basin. The statues display the "Great Tang" aesthetic—full-figured, graceful, and healthy. The centerpiece of the site is the Dayun Cave (Cave of Great Clouds), located at the highest point of the cliff. It houses the majestic Lushena Buddha (Vairocana), standing about 7 meters tall with a plump face and a mysterious, kindly smile, often compared to the famous Mona Lisa for its enigmatic expression. The layout of the grottoes is dense, resembling a honeycomb, with statues ranging from imposing giant Buddhas to palm-sized figurines, many of which still retain their vibrant original colors from the Tang and Song eras,.

The Secularization of Divine Figures

3.One of the most fascinating aspects of the: Thousand Buddha Cliff is the secularization of Buddhist deities, reflecting the local culture and the humanistic spirit of the Tang and Song dynasties. A prime example is the "Straw Sandal Heavenly King" (Cao Xie Tian Wang). Unlike traditional deities wearing armor and combat boots, this Heavenly King wears ordinary straw sandals, a unique feature attributed to the local artisans incorporating the lifestyle of the common Sichuan people into religious art. Another highlight is the "Coquettish Guanyin" (Meitai Guanyin) or the "Holding Lotus Guanyin." This statue depicts the Bodhisattva with a slender waist, tilted hip, and flowing robes, resembling a graceful palace dancer from the Tang court rather than a rigid religious icon. These unique artistic touches make the Qianfo Cliff not just a place of worship, but a gallery of ancient social life and aesthetics,.

The Legend of the Empress and the River

4.The site is closely linked to Wu: Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history. Legend has it that the young Wu Zetian often played by the river and worshipped at the nearby Huangze Temple (Temple of Imperial Favor). The proliferation of Maitreya statues and the "Dayun" themes in the grottoes reflect the political and religious atmosphere of her reign, where Buddhism was promoted to legitimize her rule. The interplay between the cliff, the historic ancient plank road ruins visible along the river, and the enduring legends of the Empress adds a layer of profound historical depth to the scenic beauty of the Jialing River valley,.