Qinjiahe Rock Carvings

CHINA, Shaanxi, Tongchuan

These sculptures are located in Yijun county in Tongchuan, on the west side of a cliff near the Qinjia River. Originally, the cliffside had a row of four rectangular niches and one cave. Unfortunately, the niches have since been destroyed and only the cave remains. Niches 1 and 2 were carved during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534), while Niches 3 and 4 and the cave were created during the Tang dynasty (618–907). This area was listed as a Provincial Cultural Heritage Site in 2003.
The cave is located 100 m south of where the niches were located. It has a width of 1.9 m, a height of 1.92 m, and a depth of 2.72 m. The truncated pyramidal ceiling displays twin dragons and lotus flowers. The back wall has high reliefs of a Buddha, two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas, all of which have been severely damaged. Only the Buddha, seated in full lotus position on a lotus throne, and a partially damaged statue of a disciple on the left are distinguishable.