Xuanmiao Taoist Temple Carvings
玄妙观
Rare Tang-dynasty Daoist and combined Buddhist-Daoist niche carvings in Anyue, with Laozi, Heavenly Venerables and Buddha images on the same cliff wall. They are precious material for studying Tang Daoist imagery.
Xuanmiao Temple is on Jisheng Mountain in Yuanda Town, about 20 km northwest of Anyue county seat. It retains more than 70 niches and over 1,000 images carved during the Tang Tianbao era. The images are mainly Daoist figures of Laozi and the Heavenly Venerables, with some niches combining Buddhist and Daoist imagery. The site also preserves a Tang stele commemorating the scenic sites of Xuanmiao Temple on Jisheng Mountain. In central Sichuan, where Buddhist carvings dominate, Tang-dynasty Daoist images like these are very rare. It is a national key cultural heritage protection unit. Admission and opening arrangements follow the on-site situation. The road is remote, so self-driving is recommended. 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 08:30–17:00 (check on site)
Nearby sights
- Qianfozhai (Thousand-Buddha Camp) Grottoes
- Mumen Temple
- Anyue Confucian Temple & Kuige Pavilion
- Yuanjue Cave Grottoes
- Wofoyuan Grottoes
- Anyue Lemon Orchards
- Gaosheng Giant Buddha
- Pilu Cave (Purple Bamboo Guanyin)