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Upon completion of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River, the municipality of Chongqing, China, with a population of over 30 million people, will become the world's largest inland port city. And that ain't all. . .
Chongqing (Twin Fortune) is a classic example of a city built on diversity. It is an ancient entity, composed equally of its parts, narrow streets, sloping alleys, multi-lane highways, modern office towers, ancestral homesteads, religious centers, academic institutions, Chongqing's history as China's WWII war capital and its role as "just plain old home" to millions of people. In the more than 2000 years of Chongqing's history, these have been just a few of the reasons people visit this city time and again. The last decades have brought new technology and growth to Chongqing. Modern highways have been built and archaeological restoration projects are underway in this part of the Sichuan province. So, after tourists tire of the city lights, restaurants and cruises along the Yangtze, there are other sights to see. Unfortunately, the modernization that has occurred in Chongqing proper has not extended along the road to Dazu. Dazu There are an estimated 50,000 stone sculptures carved into the limestone mountain faces at over 40 sites in Dazu County. Most of the sculptures are concentrated at 2 main locations, Beishan (North Hill or Summit) and Baodingshan (Precious Hill or Summit). Beishan The 250 years of carving at Beishan were extremely productive. Over 10,000 statues were completed during that time. Most of the scenes portrayed on the cave walls at Beishan are religious in nature. It is not unusual to find Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian teachings depicted side by side in many places. One of the most interesting religious sculptures is the 1,000-handed statue of the Goddess of Mercy, otherwise known as Guanyin or Bodhisattva in Buddhist teachings. This statue is brightly painted and her arms fan out behind her like the tail of a peacock. Each hand is carved holding a different musical instrument, including some similar to modern day flutes, bells and cymbals. |
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