Qianfoya, Guangyuan: A Millennium in a Glance, Travel Guide

🌈Qianfoya is one of the four major grottoes in China. It was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty, more than 1,500 years ago. Located on the ancient Jinniu Road in Shu, the grottoes were first carved in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, flourished in the Tang Dynasty, and ended in the Qing Dynasty. After thousands of years, a Buddhist stone carving art treasure house was formed, with a Buddha cliff nearly 388 meters long and 45 meters high, with more than 950 niches and more than 7,000 statues. The niches are up to 13 layers, making it the most magnificent grotto group in Sichuan. Every Buddha statue and mural carries the wisdom and faith of the ancients. 🌈[Highlights] 1⃣[Dayun Ancient Cave] Located in the center of Qianfoya, it is the largest cave in Qianfoya, with a total of 234 statues. 2⃣[Great Buddha Cave] It is the earliest cave in Qianfoya, with a huge Buddha statue and two Bodhisattva statues. 3⃣[Lotus Cave] The top of the cave is carved with a huge lotus flower, which is magnificent. The cave is carved with the Three Buddhas: Amitabha, Shakyamuni, and Maitreya, among which Maitreya is the incarnation of Wu Zetian, the background of the time. 4⃣[Sleeping Buddha Niche] It is one of the best-preserved caves in Qianfoya, with the main statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in Nirvana, about 10 meters long, lying on a stone couch. 5⃣[Thousand Buddha Cave] It is the cave with the most statues in Qianfoya. The walls of the cave are covered with small Buddha statues, numbering in the thousands, which is very spectacular. Although these small Buddha statues are not large in size, each one is meticulously carved, with clear facial features, hairstyles, and costumes. 6⃣[Jinniu Road Site] Under Qianfoya is a part of the rugged and dangerous ancient Jinniu Road, with more than 300 meters of existing sites. 7⃣[A Millennium in a Glance] When viewing Qianfoya, you can also see the high-speed trains whizzing by on the Jialing River. On one side is modern civilization, and on the other side is the thousand-year-old grottoes. The sense of a millennium in a glance is perfectly presented here. 📌Tips: 1⃣Recommended visiting time: 2–3 hours 2️⃣ Wear comfortable shoes, as some steps are steep and only allow one person to pass. Be careful. 3⃣The light in the grottoes is dim, so be careful not to use flash when taking photos to avoid damaging the Buddha statues. 4️⃣ Large Buddha caves have mobile phone audio guides, and you can also hire a guide for an in-depth understanding. 📍Address: Qianfoya, East Bank of Jialing River, Lizhou District, Guangyuan City 🕙Opening hours: 08:30–17:30 (ticket sales stop at 17:00) 🎫Tickets: CNY 50/person in peak season, CNY 40/person in off-season 🚘Transportation 1⃣Self-driving: Navigate directly to "Qianfoya, Guangyuan". There is a parking lot in the scenic area, and the parking fee is CNY 10–20. 2⃣Public transportation: Take bus No. 1, 23, etc. in Guangyuan City, and get off at Qianfoya Station. 🌈[Guangyuan Food Recommendations] 1️⃣ Guangyuan Hot and Cold Noodles: A local specialty snack, white flat cold noodles, different from Chengdu cold noodles, a must-try. 2️⃣ Tofu Feast: Guangyuan's tofu is known for its delicate and smooth texture. 3️⃣ Walnut Cake: Guangyuan is rich in walnuts, and walnut cake is crispy and delicious, a traditional local pastry.