Rock-Dwelling Chan Grotto Temple 🏞️
📍 Location: Along Provincial Road 241, in Lizhou District, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, nestled between cliffs along the Jialing River
🌿 Historical Origins
Rock-Dwelling Chan Grotto Temple was originally constructed during the mid-to-late Tang Dynasty and stands as one of the most significant Buddhist grotto sites in northern Sichuan. According to the Guangyuan County Chronicles, the temple was founded by the eminent monk Huiyuan, named to reflect the intention of “calming the mind among mountain ravines and practicing meditation in secluded valleys.” It underwent multiple reconstructions during the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, reaching its greatest scale during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, when it became a vital center for the spread of Chan Buddhism in northern Sichuan.
🏛️ Architecture and Cultural Relics
- Grotto Structure: Carved into sandstone cliff faces following the natural terrain, the site features 17 existing caves and niches. The main cave, known as the Mahavira Hall Cave, measures approximately 6 meters in height and 8 meters in depth, housing three well-preserved stone-carved Buddha statues in Tang Dynasty style.
- Sculptural Art: The iconography includes figures such as Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Guanyin Bodhisattva, blending Han Chinese and Tibetan Buddhist artistic elements with distinct characteristics of the transitional period between the Tang and Song dynasties. Some niche lintels feature exquisite relief carvings of "flying apsaras" and "lotus petal patterns," with fluid lines and masterful craftsmanship.
- Inscribed Stone Tablets: A surviving Ming Dynasty tablet titled Record of the Renovation of Rock-Dwelling Chan Grotto Temple documents the temple’s rise and decline, as well as contributions from local devotees. This inscription provides invaluable historical material for studying grassroots religious activities in southwestern China.
📜 Cultural Significance
Rock-Dwelling Chan Grotto Temple is a prominent representative of Ba-Shu Buddhist grotto art, reflecting the historical integration of Han and Tibetan cultures since the Tang and Song periods. Its spatial layout, carving techniques, and inscribed records hold exceptional academic value for understanding religious beliefs, social structures, and artistic evolution in northern Sichuan. In 2013, it was designated a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.
🚶 Travel Information
- Opening Hours: 8:00 – 17:30 daily (peak season); extended to 17:00 in winter
- Admission: Free entry (with valid ID registration required)
- Transportation Tips: Drive along Provincial Road 241 to Lizhou District, Guangyuan City, and navigate directly to “Rock-Dwelling Chan Grotto Temple”; alternatively, take a city bus to “Jialing River Bridge East Station” and walk about 1.5 kilometers
- Visitor Guidelines: The site is located on steep cliffside terrain; some pathways are steep—please wear non-slip footwear. Please do not touch the carvings to help preserve the cultural heritage.
🕊️ A single cave has stood silent for a thousand years, where the stillness echoes with ancient chants. Rock-Dwelling Chan Grotto Temple awaits those destined to step into the depths of time.