🪨Encounter the romance of millennium stone carvings in Neijiang, Sichuan

🪨Encounter the romance of millennium stone carvings in Neijiang, Sichuan Xianglongshan Stone Carvings: a hidden gem in Neijiang, Sichuan, that is both incredibly niche and stunning. Like a reclusive hermit, it quietly narrates the stories of millennia in the river of time, unassuming yet extraordinarily charming. 🪦Looking Back at History The carving history of Xianglongshan Stone Carvings can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, spanning the Song and Ming Dynasties. After hundreds of years of meticulous carving, it carries a profound historical and cultural heritage. At that time, Buddhism flourished, and craftsmen, with pious hearts, wielded hammers and chisels on these cliffs, perfectly blending faith and art. With each strike of the hammer and chisel, they created this breathtaking artistic treasure. Over the long years, it has witnessed the prosperity and vicissitudes of Neijiang, endured the erosion of wind and rain, and the baptism of war, yet it has stubbornly survived, becoming a precious window for us to understand ancient culture, art, and religious beliefs. 💎Features of the Stone Carvings 🔸 Diverse themes of statues: Buddhist statues dominate, including solemn Buddha statues, compassionate and serene Bodhisattva statues, and lively and dynamic Apsaras statues. Each statue has a unique expression and temperament, some with lowered eyes and bowed heads, others with slightly open eyes, as if overlooking all things in the world. For example, the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva has a full and round face, with slightly upturned corners of the mouth, revealing a faint smile. Her eyes are filled with love and compassion, her robes fluttering, and the lines are smooth and natural, as if she is about to ride the wind at any moment. In addition to Buddhist statues, there are also some secular statues reflecting the social life of the time, vividly displaying the life scenes and customs of ancient people. 🔸 Exquisite carving craftsmanship: The carvings fully demonstrate the superb skills of ancient craftsmen. The facial expressions of the Buddha statues are meticulously detailed, the skin texture is lifelike, and even the hair strands are clearly defined. The carving of the clothing lines is even more exceptional, flowing and layered, as if blown by the wind, giving a strong artistic appeal. On the backlights and niche lintels of some statues, there are also exquisite patterns carved, such as lotus patterns and scroll patterns. These patterns have beautiful lines and complex shapes, full of decorative and artistic beauty, making people marvel at the wisdom and creativity of the ancients. 🏞Surrounding Environment Xianglongshan, where the Xianglongshan Stone Carvings are located, boasts beautiful scenery, lush trees, and fresh, pleasant air. Walking up the winding mountain path, you feel as if you are in a natural oxygen bar, with your body and mind completely relaxed. Standing on the mountain, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of Neijiang city, with the hustle and bustle of the city in full view, forming a sharp contrast with the tranquility and simplicity of the stone carvings. At the foot of the mountain, there are also some ancient dwellings and traditional shops selling various local snacks and handicrafts. After visiting the stone carvings, it is also a good choice to enjoy the food and choose souvenirs here.