Chongqing- Since November 12, 1952, when the Dazu County People's Government approved the establishment of the Dazu County Cultural Relics Preservation Committee, the Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute has been for a glorious 70 years. On January 4, 2023, the Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute held a symposium for the 70th anniversary of its founding and reviewed its development process over the past 70 years.

The protection organization continues to grow

Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute started with three office rooms, an initial team of 3 people, and only two senior professional titles in the 1990s. Now there are professional talents gathered together in spacious buildings, and 30 of them have senior titles. Along the way, the Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute lays a solid foundation for developing and protecting Dazu Rock Carvings. 

Improved management

Since 1953, three county-wide cultural relic surveys and several special investigations have been carried out, which have increased the number of Dazu Rock Carvings from more than ten known in the 1950s to 141. The age advances from the late Tang Dynasty to the early Tang Dynasty. After decades of development, the management of Dazu cultural relics has developed into a three-dimensional protection that combines human, technical, and physical defense. In particular, the "Dazu Rock Carvings Protection Regulations" implementation marks that the conservation and management of Dazu Rock Carvings have embarked on the track of legalization.

Strengthened protection and maintenance

Dazu Rock Carvings face major diseases such as water seepage in caves, rock mass instability, and stone weathering. In terms of protection methods, the Institute attaches importance to rescue and preventive protection and leapfrogging towards technological and digital protection. In terms of protection content, it is expanding to protecting the natural, humanistic environment and historical information on which the cultural relic depends. At the same time, extensive international cooperation has been carried out with cultural relic protection institutions such as Italy and Japan.

To-be-revealed great value

The first Dazu Rock Carvings International Academic Symposium was held in 2005. After that, a series of academic exchange activities strongly promoted the academic research of Dazu Rock Carvings and expanded the scope of Dazu Rock Carvings globally. The influence at home and abroad has continuously demonstrated the philosophical thoughts, humanistic spirit, moral norms, and value concepts contained in the Dazu Rock Carvings.

Deepened inheritance and utilization

Utilization in protection and protection in utilization are the most worth summarizing experience of Dazu Rock Carvings in the past 70 years. In 1979, the first documentary film, "Dazu Rock Carvings," was filmed and released. In 1980, it was opened as a tourist area. In the following decades, more scenic spots and exhibition halls were continuously built, and more promotional activities were held, leading to a new leap forward in the inheritance and utilization of Dazu Rock Carvings.

After 70 years of development, Dazu Rock Carvings have been reborn. In 1999, Dazu Rock Carvings became the second grotto cultural heritage included in the "World Heritage List" after Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes; in 2007, it became the first batch of national 5A-level tourist attractions. Dazu Rock Carvings, once unknown, have been shown to the world with their unique image.