Mingshan Temple Rock Carvings
茗山寺
A Song-dynasty cliff-carving complex on the summit of Tiger Head Mountain. Vairocana, Manjushri, Guanyin and other large figures stand 5 to 6 meters tall, overlooking the fields from giant rocks on the peak.
Mingshan Temple is on the summit of Tiger Head Mountain in Dingxin Township, southeast of Anyue county. The carvings date to the Northern Song and are distributed along the giant rocks on the summit, with more than ten niches. They include Vairocana Buddha, Manjushri Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and Dharma protectors. The main figures stand about 5 to 6 meters tall and are imposing in scale. This is the most open site among Anyue's stone carvings. From the summit you can look out over the surrounding hills, fields and farmland. It is a national key cultural heritage protection unit, and admission follows on-site notices. Reaching the summit requires a short climb on foot. It can be visited on the same day as Piluo Cave, Huayan Cave and Peacock Cave. Most carvings are open-air cliff carvings. Touching, climbing and flash photography are prohibited. The sites are quite far apart, so self-driving or hiring a car in town is recommended.
Opening hours
About 08:30–17:30
Nearby sights
- Kongque Cave & Baoguo Temple
- Huayan Cave
- Pilu Cave (Purple Bamboo Guanyin)
- Gaosheng Giant Buddha
- Tongnan Great Buddha Temple
- Anyue Lemon Orchards
- Yuanjue Cave Grottoes
- Anyue Confucian Temple & Kuige Pavilion