DUSHANBE, 12.06.2025 (NIAT Khovar) – The Dazu Rock Carvings, located in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, are widely regarded as one of the most significant achievements of ancient Buddhist grotto art. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999, the site spans 75 officially protected cultural heritage zones and comprises over 50,000 finely preserved stone statues and reliefs.

Dating from the 9th to the 13th century, the Dazu Rock Carvings represent the culmination of centuries of Chinese grotto artistry. Alongside the Mogao, Yungang, and Longmen grottoes, Dazu stands as a pillar of Chinese spiritual and artistic heritage. Due to its artistic excellence, spiritual depth, and cultural continuity, it is often referred to as «the last monument of world grotto art.»

In recent years, advanced technology and cultural initiatives have played a key role in revitalizing the site’s contemporary relevance. A full-dome 8K immersive film titled Dazu Rock Carvings offers visitors a transformative digital experience, blending live-action footage with computer-generated imagery. The audience is enveloped by celestial visuals, where ancient Buddhist chants resonate as carved deities appear reborn in light and pixels.

Meanwhile, the dance-drama Tian Xia Dazu (For an Eternal Homeland — Dazu Rock Carvers’ Legacy) brings the stories of the ancient sculptors to life through performance art. With evocative choreography and dynamic visual staging, the production portrays the spiritual devotion and craftsmanship that shaped the grottoes.

The Dazu imagery has also found a place in modern interactive media. In the video game Black Myth: Wukong, the iconic Thousand-Armed Guanyin of Dazu is rendered with striking detail, merging cultural heritage with digital storytelling. Gamers explore a digitally reconstructed Dazu, encountering Buddhist iconography within mythological landscapes.

In addition, national broadcasters have spotlighted Dazu’s living legacy. CCTV’s China in Intangible Cultural Heritage series dedicated an episode to the site, describing its cultural impact as “like stars falling all over mountains and rivers in Chongqing,” reflecting the deep historical imprint the carvings continue to leave on Chinese identity.

Whether through digital innovation or performing arts, the Dazu Rock Carvings are reaching new audiences while preserving their ancient essence. As a bridge between past and present, the site continues to inspire appreciation for the profound philosophical, artistic, and spiritual traditions of Chinese civilization.