I'm so excited, I regret not coming here sooner! The most beautiful Buddha statue of the Northern Song Dynasty!

Anyue Stone Carvings, located in Anyue County, Ziyang City, Sichuan Province, are hailed as a 'treasury of ancient Chinese carving art', known for their grand scale, rich themes, and exquisite craftsmanship. This group of stone carvings, hidden deep in the hills of central Sichuan, spans the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, witnessing the blending and development of Buddhist and Taoist cultures! 🍀 Must-visit attractions: ① Xuanmiao Temple A national key cultural relic protection site, it was built between the 6th year of the Kaiyuan era and the 7th year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty. Its uniqueness lies in the *Buddha-Taoist niches*, where Laozi and Sakyamuni are ingeniously carved together in the same grotto, showing a historical scene of religious harmony. The most eye-catching is the sculpture of Laozi herding cattle, vividly recreating the life scene of the Taoist founder, which is breathtaking. ② Reclining Buddha Temple Centered around a 23-meter-long full-body stone-carved reclining Buddha from the Tang Dynasty, it is the largest full-body reclining Buddha statue of the Tang Dynasty in the country. The Buddha's expression is serene, with smooth lines, surrounded by many exquisite cliff carvings and inscriptions, creating a solemn and serene atmosphere for meditation. ③ Yuanjue Cave As the essence of Anyue Stone Carvings, Yuanjue Cave is famous for its intricate layout and delicate carvings. The cave is filled with lifelike statues of Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and others, especially the twelve Yuanjue Bodhisattvas, whose dignified demeanor and elegant drapery are considered the epitome of Song Dynasty stone carving art. 🍀 Detailed address: Anyue County, Ziyang City, Sichuan Province. The specific stone carving sites are distributed in different townships within the county, such as Xuanmiao Temple in Tongxian Town, Reclining Buddha Temple in Wofu Town, Yuanjue Cave in Yueyang Town, etc. It is recommended to use navigation software for precise positioning. 🍀 Transportation strategy: ① Self-driving: Depart from Chengdu and travel about 150 kilometers along the Chengdu-Chongqing Expressway or Chengdu-Anshun-Chongqing Expressway to reach Anyue County, then follow the navigation to the stone carving sites. ② Public transportation: First take the high-speed train to Ziyang North Station, then transfer to a long-distance bus to Anyue County, and then choose local taxis or chartered cars to the stone carving scenic areas. Some popular attractions like Yuanjue Cave are accessible by public bus routes. 🍀 Food recommendations: ① Anyue Rice Rolls: A local specialty snack made from high-quality rice, steamed to a fine and smooth texture, served with spicy or sour and spicy sauce, delicious and not to be missed. ② Lemon Feast: Anyue is known as the 'Hometown of Chinese Lemons'. Local restaurants have innovatively launched a lemon feast that incorporates lemon elements into various dishes, such as lemon fish, lemon chicken, lemon ribs, etc., which are sour, sweet, appetizing, and refreshing. 🍀 Recommended nearby attractions: ① Mingshan Temple Carvings: About 30 kilometers away from Anyue County, it is dominated by Tang Dynasty cliff carvings, especially the magnificent Medicine Buddha and Thousand-Handed Guanyin. ② Huayan Cave: Not far from Yuanjue Cave, the cave houses a grand Huayan Three Saints statue and many exquisite stone carvings, another masterpiece of Song Dynasty grotto art. ③ Lezhi Baoguo Temple: Located in Lezhi County adjacent to Anyue County, it is a long-standing Buddhist temple with a tranquil environment, ancient trees reaching to the sky, and a great place for quiet contemplation, worship, and leisurely health preservation.