The art of Dazu, which emerged in the late Tang Dynasty (618- 907AD) and flourished in the Song Dynasty (960-1127), represents an important chapter in China's cultural and religious history.
Over 60,000 carved stone figures relating mainly to Buddhism are spread around 76 places within Dazu County, 160 kilometers to the west of Chongqing. The content and craftsmanship are best at Beishan (North Hill) and Baoding (Treasure Peak) Mountain.
Beishan (North Hill or Gulonggang Hill) has 290 shrine caves in all, the most well known of them is the Xinshenche (the Wheel of the Universe) Cave.
In the center shrine stands the Buddha, with Jingbaobing Guanyin at the left side and Duoluo at the right side. In the left shrine there stand Manjusri, Yuyin Guanyin and Ruyizhu Guanyin. In the right shrine there stand Samantabhadra, Riyue Guanyin and Suzhushou Guanyin. They are created in a symmetrical manner and proper order, as though they were an integral whole. The eight statues of Bodhisattvas have the features of well-proportioned bodies, exquisitely luxurious garments and distinct characters.
In the center shrine stands the Buddha, with Jingbaobing Guanyin at the left side and Duoluo at the right side. In the left shrine there stand Manjusri, Yuyin Guanyin and Ruyizhu Guanyin. In the right shrine there stand Samantabhadra, Riyue Guanyin and Suzhushou Guanyin. They are created in a symmetrical manner and proper order, as though they were an integral whole. The eight statues of Bodhisattvas have the features of well-proportioned bodies, exquisitely luxurious garments and distinct characters.