Overview

A two-day private journey to the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the lesser-known masterpieces of Anyue, plus the ancient water town of Anju near Chongqing.

About This Tour

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

Itinerary

Day 1: Chongqing | Anju Ancient Town & Dazu Carvings

After a morning pickup near your Chongqing hotel, drive about 90 minutes to the ancient town of Anju, one of the best-preserved water towns in the region with Ming and Qing dynasty pavilions, stone bridges and quiet flagstone lanes. Spend the late morning exploring its alleys and sampling local specialties such as stone-ground tofu, glutinous rice cakes and guokui flatbread. In the afternoon your private vehicle continues to the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where your guide leads you through the Baoding Mountain and Beishan grottoes, interpreting the thousands of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian figures carved into the cliffs over four centuries. After a full day of art and history you check into a hotel in Dazu town for the night. Meals: none included (local meals on the spot). Overnight: Dazu.

Day 2: Anyue | Song-Dynasty Cliff Sculpture & Return

After breakfast, set off around 08:30 across the provincial border into Anyue county in Sichuan, a quiet rural area holding some of China's finest and least-known Song-dynasty cliff carvings. Around mid-morning you reach Mingshan Temple, its sandstone figures softened by centuries of weather, then continue to the nearby caves. The highlight is Pilu Cave, home to the famous 'Ten Penances of Liu Benzun' reliefs and the graceful Purple Bamboo Guanyin, dubbed the 'Oriental Venus.' You also visit Huayan Cave and the Great Prajna Cave, masterpieces of Song religious art. Lunch is taken in Shiyang town to sample local Sichuan flavours (paid on the spot). In the late afternoon, around 18:30, your private vehicle returns you to Chongqing, where the tour concludes. Meals: B. Overnight: trip ends.

What's Included

✓ Included

English-speaking guide Private vehicle & transfers 1 night hotel accommodation Listed entrance tickets (Dazu carvings, Anyue sites) Hotel pickup near Chongqing city center Breakfast on Day 2

✕ Not included

International & domestic flights China visa Travel insurance Most lunches and dinners (local-style, paid on the spot) Personal expenses Tips

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation is available on most tours up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact cancellation terms for this tour are shown during booking.

Traveler Reviews

4.8★★★★★Based on 87 reviews

Marco Z.🇲🇽 Mexico★★★★★2026-03

One detail from the day: the title makes this sound like a lot of ground to cover. In practice, A 2-Day of China's Sacred Cliff Sculpture and Chongqing felt like two distinct parts of the trip, not the same day repeated.

Elena U.🇯🇵 Japan★★★★★2024-04

The meeting instructions were clear and we knew what came next without being herded around. In Chongqing, that saved a surprising amount of energy.

Nadia J.🇮🇹 Italy★★★★☆2025-05

A practical note: the busiest place on the route was genuinely busy. Starting earlier would be my only change. I would still leave extra time for A 2-Day of China's Sacred Cliff Sculpture.

Mia K.🇮🇪 Ireland★★★★★2025-06

In hindsight, not every minute was engineered into a “moment.” There was time for coffee, questions and simply watching Chongqing go by. I would rather keep the pause at A 2-Day of China's Sacred Cliff Sculpture than add another stop.

Hannah R.🇧🇷 Brazil★★★★★2024-03

Honestly, the guide knew when to explain and when to stop talking. Rare, and appreciated. My only advice is not to shorten the time at A 2-Day of China's Sacred Cliff Sculpture.

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