Overview

Wenquan Cliff Inscriptions, located in Anning City (安宁市), Yunnan Province (云南省), are a significant group of stone carvings from the Ming Dynasty (明朝) to the Republic of China (民国时期). These inscriptions are situated on Yiqing Road (一清路) in the Wenquan community (温泉社区) of Wenquan Street (温泉街道). They were designated as a key national cultural relic protection unit by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China in October 2019.

Historical Background

The Wenquan area is situated along the Tanglang River (螳螂川), about 7 kilometers north of Anning City. It lies between Longshan (龙山) and Fengshan (凤山) mountains, known for its natural hot springs. The hot spring’s historical significance dates back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (东汉), specifically to the year 56 AD when it was discovered by the famous general Su Wenda (苏文达). Historical texts, such as the “Yuan Hunyi Fang Yulansheng” (元混一方舆览胜), have documented that Anning had the most hot springs among various districts in Yunnan.

From the Han Dynasty (汉代) to the Ming and Qing Dynasties (明清), visitors to the Wenquan area left behind a wealth of historical and cultural information on the surrounding cliffs. Over the years, the landscape has changed, and the cliff inscriptions have risen closer to the ground due to road construction during the Republic of China period.

Description of the Inscriptions

The Wenquan Cliff Inscriptions comprise more than 170 pieces of text and pictorial engravings spanning over 320 years, mainly from the Ming and Qing Dynasties to the Republic of China. These inscriptions are located on a 600-meter-long, 20-meter-high cliff wall. The area is divided into three sections: the first two are separated by the Kunming Cadres Sanatorium, and the third is within the Long family villa (龙氏别墅).

The inscriptions include six from the Ming Dynasty and over 160 from the Qing and Republican periods. The earliest inscription is the phrase “Ting Quan” (听泉), written by He Mengchun (何孟春), a Vice Minister of the Right who governed Yunnan in 1521 during the Ming Zhengde period. Another notable inscription is “Bu Ke Bu Yin” (不可不饮) by Yang Shen (杨慎), a famous scholar.

Artistic Features

The Wenquan Cliff Inscriptions are notable for their diversity in content, which includes scenic names, couplets, poetry, and Buddhist phrases. The majority are calligraphic works, with a few exceptions being pictorial carvings such as the “Water Moon Guanyin” (水月观音图) and “Tiger Howling Wind” (虎啸生风图). The longest inscription, “Nine Curves Dragon Nest” (九曲龙窝), measures 4 meters long, while the shortest, “Bu Ke Bu Yin” (不可不饮), is merely 27 centimeters.

Cultural Significance

The Wenquan Cliff Inscriptions are among the best-preserved and most abundant cliff carvings in Yunnan. They reflect the region’s natural beauty and cultural richness, intertwined with the prevailing social customs, economic conditions, aesthetic standards, and the policies of different ruling powers over the centuries. Some inscriptions are linked to significant historical events, providing valuable documentation for studying Yunnan’s political, economic, and cultural history.

Honors and Recognition

On July 14, 2023, the “Bu Ke Bu Yin” (不可不饮) and “Shizong” (石淙) inscriptions were included in the first batch of ancient famous stone inscriptions published by the National Cultural Heritage Administration.

Preservation Measures

In October 2019, the Wenquan Cliff Inscriptions were officially recognized as a key national cultural relic protection unit by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

Travel Information

Location

The Wenquan Cliff Inscriptions are located in Anning City (安宁市), Yunnan Province (云南省), specifically on Yiqing Road (一清路) in the Wenquan community (温泉社区).

Transportation

Driving: The Wenquan Cliff Inscriptions are approximately 8.9 kilometers from the center of Anning City (安宁市), with a driving time of about 16 minutes.

Chinese Name:石钟山石窟
English Name: Shizhong Mountain Grottoes in Shibaoshan Mountain,Dali
 Location: Shibaoshan Mountain, Jianchuan County, Yunnan Province
Located in Shizhong Shan Mountain (石钟山) of the Shibao Shan mountain range, the Shizhong Shan Grottoes (石钟山石窟) are also sometimes referred to as the Shibao Shan Grottoes (石宝山石窟), or “Stone Treasure Mountain Grottoes.” Housed in buildings clutching the mountainside, these ancient grottoes house Buddhists sculptures, statues of Bai deities of the ancient Nazhao and Dali Kingdoms, and yoni shrines (representing the female sex), some dating back over a thousand years.

The Shizhong Mountain Grottoes (石钟山石窟) is located 25 kilometers southwest of Jianchuan County, Yunnan Province. It is considered the “treasure of the south.” The carvings were constructed during the the Nanzhao and Dali periods (738-1253 A.D.). The 17 grottos and 139 statues make up one of the most beautiful grotto complexes in South China, with statues of the royal Nanzha family and other historical figures, as well as Buddha statues.

Shibao Mountain is famous for its natural beauty as well as the local Buddhist caves, sculpture and
temples. Amongst rocks of various strange shape and size, the slopes of the mountain are covered

with azaleas and other green vegetation. There are two main tourist attractions on the mountain, namely the Shizhong Caves and Baoxiang
Temple. The caves were created during the Song Dynasty.

One hundred and thirty-nine statues of Buddha in 16 grottoes are scattered throughout Shizhong Temple, and Shiziguan and Shadengqing of the
Shizhong Temple section. The Baoxiang Temple section is the most scenic attraction of Shibao Mountain. The Baoxiang Temple has a reputation
as the “suspended Temple”. Thousands of stone steps ascend to the Cascade, Stone Tower, Sky Ladder, and Ancient Bridge, halls and pavilions.

The grottos had been gradually chiseled and sculpted from the Nanzhao (local regime in Yunnan
Province from 700~900 during the Tang Dynasty) to the Dali (during the Song Dynasty), which
lasted several hundred years (c.649-1094).

The optimal season to visit the Shibao Hill is the end of the 7th month and the beginning of the 8th
month of the lunar calendar. There is a traditional singing and dancing jamboree held each year,
which never fails to enchant visitors.

Travel tips:

– Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

– Admission: 30 yuan

– How to get there: Take a bus from Xiaguan to Jianchuan County, then transfer to another bus from Jianchuan County to Shibao Mountain

Yunnan Travel Guide

Things To Do

• Yunnan Overview
• Yunnan Attractions
• Yunnan Tours
• Yunnan Shopping
• Yunnan Culture
• Festivals and Activities

Travel Information

• Yunnan Travel Tips
• Yunnan Climate
• Yunnan Transportation
• Yunnan Maps
• Yunnan Photos
• Yunnan Dining
• Yunnan Accommodation
• Yunnan Education
• Yunnan Travel News
• Administrative Divisions

Create My Trip

You Might Like

• 7 Days Baima Snow Mountain Hiking Tour to Nine Lakes and One Mountain Scenic Area
• 8 Days Yunnan Cycling Tour from Shangrila to Lijiang
• 3 Days Xingyi and Luoping Rapeseed Flowers RV Tour from Kunming
• Lijiang Old Town Night Tour
• 2 Days Fuxian Lake and Modou Mountain Cycling Tour from Kunming
• 10 Days Yunnan Trekking Tour of Tiger Leaping Gorge and from Baoshan Stone Town to Lugu Lake
• 6 Days Kunming Shadian Muslim Tour with Yuanyang Rice Terraces and Jianshui Old Town
• 7 Days Lijiang Hiking Tour from Lugu Lake to Baoshan Stone Village

Grottoes

Wenquan Cliff Inscriptions in Anning City, Kunming

Overview Wenquan Cliff Inscriptions, located in Anning City (安宁市), Yunnan Province (云南省), are a significant group of stone carvings from the Ming Dynasty (明朝) to the Republic of China...

Attractions    Veiw

• Anning
• Grottoes
• Kunming
• Wuhua District

Shizhong Mountain Grottoes in Shibaoshan Mountain,Dali

Chinese Name:石钟山石窟 English Name: Shizhong Mountain Grottoes in Shibaoshan Mountain,Dali  Location: Shibaoshan Mountain, Jianchuan County, Yunnan Province Located in Shizhong Shan Mountain (石钟山) of the Shibao Shan mountain range,...

Attractions    Veiw

• Dali
• Grottoes
• Jianchuan County
• Mountains in Dali