You don't have to go all the way to the Longmen Grottoes to see Buddhist art.

I. Basic Information
Address: West section of Chentuan Road, Yueyang Town, Anyue County, Ziyang City, Sichuan Province (Yunju Mountain)
Opening Hours: 8:30–18:00 all year round (last entry at 17:30)
Tickets: Original price is CNY 28, half-price discounts may be available during the off-season (check in advance)
Best Season: Suitable for all seasons; spring and fall have pleasant weather, and winter offers a tranquil grotto experience.
II. Transportation Guide
By Car:
From Chengdu: Navigate to "Yuanjue Cave," approx. 1.5–2 hours drive (G75 Lanhai Expressway to S206)
From Anyue County: About 10 minutes by taxi, or take bus No. 4 to "Yuanjue Cave Station"
Public Transportation:
Chengdu Chadianzi Station → Anyue bus (approx. 3 hours), then transfer to bus or taxi.
III. Must-See Attractions and Highlights
Sakyamuni Buddha and the Two Guanyin
Sakyamuni Buddha: 6.2m tall, smiling sideways at his disciples, showcasing the "Zen Smile" artistic concept.
Pure Bottle Guanyin: 6.75m tall, wearing a jeweled crown, holding a pure bottle in her left hand and a willow branch in her right hand, exuding grace and luxury.
Lotus Hand Guanyin: With hands folded over a lotus bud, a serene face, and delicate carvings.
Yuanjue Cave Sakyamuni Buddha
The Western Trinity
Amitabha Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva are three 7m-tall Buddha statues standing in separate niches, unique in the country.
Yuanjue Cave Western Trinity
Flying Apsaras and Late Tang Stone Pagoda
The flying apsaras in the three major niches of the North Cliff have flowing ribbons, creating a sense of "wind moving across the wall."
The 13-story dense-eaved stone pagoda from the Late Tang Dynasty is simple and dignified.
Yuanjue Cave Flying Apsaras
Other Features
Chen Tuan's Tomb: Relics of Chen Tuan, a Taoist master of the Song Dynasty, with stone archways and alchemy sites nearby.
Qin Jiushao Memorial Hall: A memorial site for the mathematician Qin Jiushao, showcasing his achievements in Mathematical Treatise in Nine Sections.
IV. Photography and Touring Tips
Best Time to Photograph:
Morning or dusk (especially the Pure Bottle Guanyin and the Western Trinity), with better side and backlight effects.
Avoid strong midday light, and use a tripod to capture details.
Outfit Suggestions:
Hanfu or plain long dresses, which are more Zen-like when framed with ancient Buddhas and green moss.
Hanfu
3. Precautions:
Do not touch the Buddha statues, and do not use flash photography.
Wear comfortable sneakers, as some areas require climbing stone steps.
V. Nearby Attractions
Reclining Buddha Temple
The only reclining Buddha in the country lying on its left side, 27m long, with more than 400,000 characters of stone-carved scriptures from the Tang Dynasty.
Anyue Reclining Buddha Temple
2. Pilu Cave
"Purple Bamboo Guanyin" is known as "the most beautiful in the country," a masterpiece of Song Dynasty stone carving art.
Anyue Pilu Cave
3. Mumen Temple
A Five Dynasties stone imitation wood structure pagoda pavilion with realistic dougong carvings, open to the public for free.
Anyue Mumen Temple
VI. Food and Accommodation
Recommended Food:
Anyue Mutton Soup, Sad Bean Jelly, Lemon Ribs (local specialties)
Restaurants in the county, such as "Mingqi Hotel" and "Lunyi Hot Pot"
Accommodation Suggestions:
County Hotels: Bein Hotel (newly renovated), Mingshi Zhixi Hotel (light luxury style)
Near the Scenic Area: Qingxiao Shangwen Homestay (next to Times Square)
VII. Useful Tips
Itinerary Planning: It is recommended to arrange a half-day to 1-hour visit. If time is sufficient, you can combine it with nearby attractions (such as Reclining Buddha Temple and Mumen Temple) to plan a day trip.
Guided Tour Service: About CNY 100 for a single person, or pick up a tour guide at the entrance of the scenic spot in advance.
Protection Tips: Some stone carvings are severely weathered, so it is recommended to go as early as possible to avoid missing details.
Summary: Yuanjue Cave is the essence of Anyue stone carvings, integrating Tang and Song art with natural landscapes, and is suitable for culture lovers and photography enthusiasts.