Beyond Dazu: The Secret Stone Carvings of Anyue You’ve Never Heard Of (But Should Visit from Chongqing)
- cometodolphinunion
- Oct 31
- 4 min read
You know Dazu Rock Carvings (Dàzú Shíkè, 大足石刻)—the famous UNESCO site near Chongqing.
But have you heard of Anyue Rock Carvings (Ānyuè Shíkè, 安岳石刻)?
They’re just as old.Just as detailed.
And way less crowded.
A Irish traveler once told me: “Dazu felt like a museum. Anyue felt like stepping into a hidden temple—just me and 1,000-year-old Buddha statues.”
This guide shows you how to get from Chongqing to Anyue, see the best carvings in one day, and why it’s worth skipping the crowds for something real.
Anyue vs. Dazu – Why It’s Worth the Trip
The Problem:Most tourists go to Dazu Rock Carvings (Dàzú Shíkè, 大足石刻) because it’s easy.
It has signs in English.
Big parking lots.
Tour buses.
But here’s the truth:
Dazu is polished.
Anyue is raw.
Dazu:
Well-lit paths.
¥120 entry fee.
Over 10,000 visitors on weekends.
Anyue:
Hidden in hills.
Some sites cost ¥5 or nothing.
Often, you’re the only foreigner there.
Trust me:
If you love art, history, or quiet beauty—skip Dazu’s crowd and go to Anyue.
How to Get to Anyue Rock Carvings from Chongqing
Option 1: High-Speed Train + Taxi (Budget-Friendly)
Take train from Chongqing North Station (Chóngqìng Běi Zhàn, 重庆北站) to Ziyang (Zīyáng, 资阳).
Trains leave every 30–60 mins. Ride takes 1 hour. Cost: ¥75.
From Ziyang, take taxi to Anyue County (Ānyuè Xiàn, 安岳县)—40 km, ¥180, 50 mins.
Warning: Taxis won’t wait. Book return ride in advance.
Option 2: Private Car or Driver (Recommended)
Hire a car from Chongqing.
Drive time: 2.5 hours (200 km).
Cost: ¥600–800 round-trip.
Stops: You can visit both north line and south line in one day.
Don’t use public bus—routes are unclear, transfers take hours.
Best Route:
Full-Day Private Tour of North & South Lines
Start at 8:00 AM – Pick up driver in Chongqing.
End by 6:00 PM – Return to Chongqing or stay in Anyue.
(Best Anyue Rock Carvings tour from Chongqing for foreign travelers in China)
North Line (Morning):
Wofo Yuan (Wòfó Yuàn, 卧佛院) – A 23-meter-long sleeping Buddha carved in Tang Dynasty. Flat ground, easy walk.
Mumen Si (Mùmén Sì, 木门寺) – A stone gate with no walls. Only ¥5 “donation” to enter. Climb 100 steps to see Song Dynasty carvings.
Qianfo Zhai (Qiānfó Zhài, 千佛寨) – Thousands of small Buddha heads in red rock. Best light: morning sun.
South Line (Afternoon):
4. Tapo (Tǎpō, 塔坡) – Sunset hits the main Buddha at 5:00 PM—golden light, perfect photo. No ticket, but give ¥10 to caretaker.
5. Bilu Dong (Pílú Dòng, 毗卢洞) – Home of the famous Zizhu Guanyin (Purple Bamboo Guanyin).
She sits like in Journey to the West.
Don’t miss her smile.
6. Mingshan Si (Míngshān Sì, 茗山寺) – Big cliff faces, wind-worn statues.
Feels ancient.
No shops.
Just silence.
7. Kongque Dong (Kǒngquè Dòng, 孔雀洞) – Rare peacock carving. Call the caretaker before arrival—he unlocks the gate. He’s 82, but climbs faster than most!
Skip Banbian Si (Bànbīan Sì, 半边寺)—hard to find, not worth the detour.
What to Know Before You Go – Real Tips
No English Signs:
Most sites have no maps or labels in English.
Bring a local guide app or print photos of statues.
Caretakers Are Key:
At Mumen Si, Bilu Dong, and Kongque Dong, an elder “grandpa” often gives free tours.
Tip: ¥20–50 if you understand his stories.
But check facts—some tales are legend, not history.
Food Tip:
Eat Yangrou Mixian (Yángròu Mǐxiàn, 羊肉米线) in Shiyang Town (Shíyáng Zhèn, 石羊镇).
Hot, spicy noodle soup with lamb.
Only ¥15.
I ate two bowls.
Wished I had three.
Why Anyue Beats Dazu – My Honest View
I grew up in Chongqing.
I’ve seen Dazu 10 times.But Anyue still gives me chills.
Because:
At Dazu, you follow the crowd.
At Anyue, you touch history with no barriers.
One moment:
Standing alone in Tapo, sunlight hitting a 1,000-year-old Buddha face.
No noise.
No tickets.
Just awe.
That’s why I say:
Skip Dazu.
Go to Anyue.
Real Traveler Stories
“I cried in Bilu Cave. The Purple Bamboo Guanyin looked alive.”— Anna, France
“We got lost, but a farmer led us to Kongque Dong. Best surprise ever.”— Tom, Canada
“No one else was there. I sat with the Buddhas for an hour. Peaceful.”— Maya, Australia
Next Step:
Explore More of Chongqing with Our 144-Hour Heritage Guide
You’ve seen the hidden gems.
Now go deeper into Chongqing’s UNESCO wonders—no visa needed if you stay under 144 hours.
Our 118-page e-guide includes:
✅ Dazu Rock Carvings (Dàzú Shíkè, 大足石刻) – Best times to visit, photo spots, how to skip lines
✅ Wulong Karst Landscapes (Wūlóng Yánlín, 武隆岩林) – Three natural bridges, caves, and cliffs
✅ Nanchuan Karst Landscapes (Nánchuān Yánlín, 南川岩林) – Jinfo Mountain, rare plants, quiet trails
✅ Chongqing city highlights – Hot pot spots, cable car views, hidden temples
✅ Local tips – How to use Didi, pay without WeChat, read Chinese addresses
✅ Offline maps & emergency phrases – Stay safe and connected
Only $9.99—less than one taxi ride.
Get Your Guide Now and Start Your Chongqing Adventure!
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