Shaanxi Northern Buddhist Grottoes Pictorial Chronicle - Zichang Zhongshan Grottoes

Zhongshan Grottoes, located 15 kilometers west of Zichang County, Shaanxi Province, also known as Wanfo Rock, Puji Temple, Dapuji Zen Temple, Shigong Temple. It was first built during the Taihe period of the Jin Dynasty (366-370 AD). After more than a thousand years of construction, the entire grottoes were built along the mountain, connecting to the Qingfeng Mingyue Opera Tower in the east, overlooking the Xiuyan River in the south, and the ancient city of Anding in the west, which is a must-pass route for the northern route of the Silk Road in China. Zhongshan Grottoes are an important birthplace of Buddhism in Northwest China. The scale of the grottoes is magnificent and spectacular, with incense burning throughout the ages, known as a "paradise on earth". In 1988, it was announced by the State Council as a "National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit". There are more than 10,000 large and small Buddha statues inside, the relief Buddha statues are well-arranged, finely crafted, and some experts call it "the second Dunhuang", believing that it has extremely high historical, scientific, and artistic value.