Xiaonanhai Grottoes
小南海石窟
Three grottoes carved into the cliffs by the Huan River during the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi dynasty. They are a national key cultural heritage site.
The Xiaonanhai Grottoes, also known as the Northern Qi Grottoes, lie on the north bank of Xiaonanhai, about 25 kilometers southwest of Anyang County. They face the Huan River and are carved into the mountainside. The three surviving caves, western, central and eastern, were all carved between 550 and 559 CE during the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi. They contain Buddha statues, relief scenes from sutras and inscriptions. Their style is similar to the Xiangtang Mountain Grottoes in Handan. They were listed as a national key cultural heritage site in 2001. The site is small, and a visit takes about half an hour. It can be combined with the nearby Lingquan Temple Grottoes and Zhenzhu Spring for a western Anyang half-day trip. Free admission is currently offered, subject to on-site confirmation. It must be reached by car or by hired vehicle.
Opening hours
Open all day (check on site)