Tang Dynasty Masterpieces in Stone — Bazhong’s South Grotto
by Zero899
Aug 14, 2025
The Nan Kan Grottoes, also known as the Nan Kan Cliff Carvings, are located in the belly of Nan Kan Slope, about 1 km south of Bazhou District, Bazhong City, Sichuan Province. They are the largest and best-preserved grottoes in Bazhong and are excellent representatives of ancient grotto art and the crystallization of ancient Bazhou culture. The Nan Kan Grottoes were first carved in the Sui Dynasty and flourished in the Tang Dynasty. They have a history of more than 1,300 years. People used to call them Nan Kan Temple. In the third year of Qianyuan of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty, they were named Guangfu Temple. In 1988, they were announced by the State Council as a national key cultural relics protection unit. In 2001, the Shuining Temple Grottoes, the West Kan Grottoes, and the North Kan Grottoes in Bazhou District, Bazhong City were merged into the Nan Kan Grottoes, all of which were recognized by the State Council as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Cultural relics protection unit. There are 176 niches and more than 2,700 statues in the Nan Kan Grottoes. The statues are mainly Buddhist, with generally strong bodies, full faces, rich clothes, various postures, chic and elegant expressions, and mostly use high relief carving techniques. The clothing patterns and tassels use smooth and brisk intaglio lines, and the knife skills are sophisticated. The Nan Kan Grottoes have rich content and elegant style, with distinctive artistic style and characteristics, and are the main physical historical materials for studying China's Sui and Tang cliff carvings.
⏳Tour time:
Buy tickets to visit, the ticket price is CNY 40, and the tour time is 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Post by Luna_2_Moonhaven/81 | Oct 19, 2024














