Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour from Chongqing

Ten thousand ancient Buddhist statues carved into cliffs, plus a hilltop pagoda and twin Buddha figures most tour groups skip

A private tour from Chongqing to Dazu's two rock carving sites: Baoding, a UNESCO-listed sanctuary of over 10,000 Buddhist statues carved 800 years ago, and Beishan, an older, quieter site surrounded by plantations where you walk among carvings few visitors see. The tour includes hotel pickup, a guide fluent in English or Mandarin, lunch at a local restaurant, and a short country hike to an ancient pagoda and twin Buddha figures on a nearby hill.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dazu Rock Carvings and countryside tour

• Pick up from hotel in Chongqing
• Drive 2 hours to Baoding site
• Explore Baoding Dazu Rock Carvings
• Lunch at local restaurant in Dazu
• Visit Beishan Rock Carvings site
• Hike to ancient pagoda and twin Buddha
• Drive back to Chongqing
• Drop off at hotel or specified location

The experience

Over 10,000 statues carved into vertical cliffs at Baoding represent Chinese Buddhist art from the Song dynasty: a working sanctuary and pilgrimage site that UNESCO inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1999. The tour starts with a roughly two-hour drive through Chongqing's countryside to reach the main site, where your guide walks you through the scale and detail of the carvings and their place in Buddhist practice and history.

After lunch at a local restaurant (a chance to try fresh-water fish and regional flavors), you move to Beishan, the older of the two sites. Most tour groups skip it because of its isolation, which is exactly why it stays peaceful. You stroll among the carvings at your own pace, surrounded by plantations and birdsong, without the crowds that fill Baoding. The combination ticket covers both sites. Your guide is trained to explain what you're seeing at each one, a detail many local guides skip.

A short country hike takes you up a nearby hill to an ancient Buddhist pagoda and twin Buddha figures, both over 800 years old. This spot rarely sees tour groups, so you'll likely have it to yourself. The day ends with a drive back to Chongqing, with the option to return to your hotel or another location of your choice.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Chongqing.
• a private guide fluent in English or Mandarin.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• all transportation by private vehicle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except TuesdayDeparts at 08:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 24

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Legend Tour

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both Dazu sites instead of just Baoding. Beishan's quieter carvings and countryside views rarely make it onto other tours, and your guide can focus on whichever aspect matters most to you: the Buddhist history, the carving craft, or simply the landscape.

Traveler reviews

4.97★★★★★★★★★★

30 verified traveler reviews

5 ★29

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does the drive take from Chongqing to Dazu, and what's the countryside like?

The drive to Baoding takes roughly two hours through Chongqing's countryside, passing through rural areas and plantations before you reach the rock carving site.

What exactly are the Dazu rock carvings, and why is Baoding the main site?

Dazu rock carvings are over 10,000 Buddhist statues carved into vertical cliffs during the Song dynasty, about 800 years ago. Baoding is the largest and most complete sanctuary, functioning as both a religious artwork and an active pilgrimage site. It was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1999.

Why would I visit Beishan if Baoding is the main attraction?

Beishan is older than Baoding and far quieter because most tour groups skip it due to its isolation. You'll walk among ancient carvings in a peaceful setting surrounded by plantations and birds, with few or no other visitors around: ideal if you want to linger and absorb the art without crowds.

What's included in the price, and what do I pay separately?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, your guide, lunch at a local restaurant, bottled water, and transportation are all included. The combined admission ticket for both Baoding and Beishan is paid on site. An interior shuttle ride at Baoding, if you choose it, is also paid on site.