Dazu & Anyue Rock Carvings: A 2-Day Private Tour of China's Sacred Cliff Sculpture

This relaxed two-day private tour explores one of China's greatest yet least-visited treasures of religious art: the cliff carvings of Dazu and Anyue, on the border of Chongqing and Sichuan. The Dazu Rock Carvings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a vast complex of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian sculptures carved into the hillsides between the 9th and 13th centuries and ranked among the finest grotto art in the world. With your own English-speaking guide and private vehicle, you begin in the photogenic Ming and Qing dynasty water town of Anju, wander its lantern-lit lanes sampling local street food, then visit the Baoding and Beishan carvings at Dazu. Day two crosses into Sichuan's Anyue county, a hidden trove of Song-era cliff sculpture, where you see the elegant 'Purple Bamboo Guanyin' that British author Han Suyin called the 'Oriental Venus,' along with the Mingshan Temple, Pilu and Huayan caves. This is a culture and heritage trip ideal for travellers drawn to history, sacred art and authentic small towns away from the crowds. Best enjoyed in spring and autumn. Itinerary may adjust based on weather, road and local regulations. Good to know: • Best season: spring and autumn for the most comfortable weather • Easy pace with light walking around carving sites; suitable for most ages • Some Anyue sites such as Kongque Cave are protected and may occasionally be closed to visitors • Modest dress is appreciated at religious sites • Comfortable walking shoes recommended