dazu

Dazu (Chinese: 大足) is a district of Chongqing Municipality, China. It lies in the western part of Chongqing, near the border with Sichuan Province. The area is hilly and characterized by karst landscapes, with an economy focused on agriculture, manufacturing, and growing tourism. The name derives from Chinese characters 大足, though the precise origin of the toponym is not definitively established.

Dazu is best known for the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1999. The carvings were produced from roughly the 9th through the 13th centuries and are concentrated in several grotto groups, with the most prominent being Baodingshan (Baoding Mountain) and Beishan (White Mountain). The sculptures, statues, and reliefs depict Buddhist deities, bodhisattvas, guardians, and narrative scenes, reflecting a blend of Indian Buddhist iconography with Chinese aesthetics and local stylistic elements. The site is valued for its technical skill, breadth of imagery, and historical significance.

Today, conservation and tourism are central to Dazu. The rock carvings attract visitors from across China and abroad, contributing to Chongqing’s cultural tourism economy. In addition to the grottoes, Dazu features traditional towns, temples, and a landscape of limestone karst and agricultural villages, offering insights into the region’s historical and contemporary life.