Brief Introduction of Wanfo Hall Grottoes in Yixian County

Wanfo Hall Grottoes is the oldest and largest grotto complex in Northeast China, which is in the same period as Yungang and Longmen. It is an artistic complex composed of calligraphy and cliff stone carvings, which has high historical value and artistic research value and is a treasure of the Chinese nation. Wanfo Hall Grottoes, located on the Fushan Cliff on the north bank of Daling River, 9 kilometers northwest of the ancient city of Yixian, Liaoning, are magnificent. Grottoes are divided into east and west areas, with existing caves 16, and more than 430 statues at any time. The Western District was dug by Yingzhou (now Chaoyang), the general of Pingdong, in the 23rd year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 499) for the emperor's blessing. In the third year of Jingming in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 502), a private cave was dug by 74 people, including the Khitan emissary, in the eastern area. There are statues everywhere in the grottoes, but the small ones are only a few inches long. The whole statue group is well-laid, rich in content, beautifully carved and vivid. The lotus cover and flying algae well at the top of the cave show the instantaneous skills of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Cliff "Yuan Jing Statue Monument" has neat handwriting and exquisite brushwork. It was named by Liang Qichao in the late Qing Dynasty as "the sky shines brightly", while Kang Youwei called it "the best monument in Yuan and Wei Dynasties". The inscription on the statue of Han Zhen is a valuable material for studying the history of the northern nationalities and the frontier of China.