The treasure trove of stone carving art, a witness to history

Xiangtangshan Grottoes The Xiangtangshan Grottoes were initially excavated during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577 AD), with additional excavations carried out during the Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. Currently, there are 16 existing grottoes, over 450 cliff carvings, and between 4000 to 5000 statues of various sizes. The carving style of the grottoes is distinctive, showcasing the high achievements of Buddhist art during the Northern Qi period. It is a treasure trove for studying Chinese Buddhism, architecture, sculpture, painting, and calligraphy. The faces of these Buddha statues are full and round, with slender eyebrows and eyes, upturned corners of the mouth, and a kind and serene smile, exuding a sense of tranquility and solemnity. The carving lines are upright, the technique is smooth, the facial details are exquisite and delicate, and the metallic luster is apparent. However, due to historical reasons, many Buddha heads have been stolen and lost overseas, with some currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other places. North Xiangtangshan Grottoes: Key sites to visit include the Great Buddha Cave, Shakyamuni Cave, and Sutra Carving Cave. The Great Buddha Cave houses a large Buddha statue several meters high, which is magnificent; the Shakyamuni Cave features exquisite carvings and is worth seeing; the Sutra Carving Cave is fenced off and contains precious sutra carvings, showcasing ancient calligraphy art. South Xiangtangshan Grottoes: Main sites to visit include the Huayan Cave and the Thousand Buddha Cave. The main Buddha head in the Huayan Cave is an original from the Northern Qi, rich in historical value; the Thousand Buddha Cave contains 1028 Buddha statues, with the lotus caisson and flying apsaras reliefs being particularly exquisite, showcasing the Buddhist art style of the Northern Qi period. It's a pity that the Buddha heads have been stolen so severely...