Xianren Cliff Rock Carvings

CHINA, Gansu, Tianshui

Xianren Cliff Rock Carvings are located 45 km southeast of the Maiji area in Tianshui. These cliff carvings consist of Huayan (Avatamsaka) Temple in the south, Shuilian (Water Lotus) Temple in the east, and Lingying (Spiritual Response) Temple, Yuhuang (Jade Emperor) Peak, Baogaishan (Precious Canopy Mountain), and Xianzhushan (Offering Jewel Mountain) in the west. The first carvings were made between 500 and 503 during the Northern Wei dynasty and were repaired and extended during subsequent dynasties. Carvings were most prolific during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. This site was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2006.
The cliffs contain 11 caves and nearly 1,000 niches and cliff sculptures, which house 197 Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian statues and murals. The earliest caves were carved in the south cliff during the Northern Wei (386–534), Northern Zhou (557–581), and Sui (581–618) dynasties. There are also Song dynasty (960–1279) statues, including a re-sculpted 3 m Buddha and accompanying disciples. Colorful Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) paintings of the Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future, as well as Tara and Dharma protectors, are found on the cliffs.
The East Cliff has one hall with four caves containing statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Manjusri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and the Eighteen Arhats. These vivid statues are well-preserved and are regarded as remarkable works of the Ming dynasty.
The impressive West Cliff contains one cave and 12 halls, including the Great Hero Hall, Vairocana Hall, Avatamsaka Hall, Avalokitesvara Hall, and Ksitigarbha Hall. The Great Hero Hall, the biggest on the West Cliff, was built during the Ming dynasty and houses statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Manjusri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. In addition, it contains statues of Twenty-Four Heavenly Beings and Eighteen Arhats repainted during the Qing dynasty.