Dance Drama ‘Tianxia Dazu’ Revives Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing Premiere

Chongqing - On February 21, the Chongqing Grand Theatre was packed to capacity as "Tianxia Dazu" (For an Eternal Homeland—The Stone Carvers' Legacy), the first dance drama inspired by the UNESCO World Heritage Site Dazu Rock Carvings, made its highly anticipated debut in Chongqing.

Co-produced by the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee Publicity Department, Dazu District Government, and China Oriental Performing Arts Group, the two-year-in-the-making production brought to life the cultural legacy of the ancient stone carvings through a fusion of dance, music, and cutting-edge stagecraft.  

Set against the backdrop of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), the drama follows Xiao Fu, a war-displaced boy who finds refuge among cliff-dwelling artisans. Through his eyes, audiences witness the grueling yet awe-inspiring process of carving Buddhist statues into the mountains—a testament to human perseverance and artistic devotion. Choreography alternates between raw, muscular movements mimicking stonecutters' labor and lyrical sequences depicting everyday joys, reflecting the duality of hardship and harmony in Song-era Sichuan-Chongqing life.  

"While the carvings are static, dance is inherently dynamic. Our challenge was to capture the secular, life-oriented essence of the cliffs," said chief choreographer Zhang Yaqi. 

Costume designer Yang Donglin incorporated rope, straw, and bamboo weaves—materials emblematic of Chongqing's climate—with earthy hues mirroring the cliffs' patina. "These designs nod to historical authenticity while meeting modern stage demands," Yang noted.  

A towering mirror, the set's centerpiece, served dual purposes: Its angled reflections created vertiginous "cliff" illusions while symbolizing Buddhist self-reflection and interconnectedness. "Audiences became part of the narrative, their presence mirrored alongside performers," said stage designer Gao Guangjian.  

"The carvings were made by ordinary people yearning for a better life. This universality—earthly contentment within a grand cultural tapestry—is our core theme," said producer Wu Shan.  

As the story concluded, the lights brightened, and the actors returned to the stage for a curtain call. The audience's cheers pushed the atmosphere to its peak. The applause and cheers intertwined as if paying collective homage to the thousand-year-old stone-carved culture.

"This dance drama, with its unique artistic perspective, skillfully weaves the historical context and cultural essence behind the Dazu Rock Carvings into every dance sequence, bringing the carvings that have slept on the cliffs for over a thousand years to life before the audience's eyes," said Guo Xiangying, the founding curator of the Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Museum, who traveled specifically to watch the performance. As a guardian of the Dazu Rock Carvings for over five decades, he noted that this drama is not only a vivid portrayal of Dazu's artistic heritage but also a successful exploration of the inheritance and innovation of traditional culture.

Li Fangyin, former director of the Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute, said, "From a professional perspective, "Tianxia Dazu" has reached an exceptionally high standard in artistic creation. Even more commendable is that the drama delves into the humanistic spirit and philosophical ideas embedded in the carvings, making this work artistically captivating and deeply thought-provoking. It is a rare masterpiece on stage."

"When the character Xiao Fu solemnly took the stone hammer on stage, I felt a surge of emotion. At that moment, I truly understood the meaning of heritage!" said an excited audience member, Xu Ping. 

Another history enthusiast, Hu Ke, added, "The drama not only restored the artistic beauty of the carvings but also allowed me to feel the craftsmanship and dedication of ancient artisans. This is what true cultural inheritance is about."

Among the audience were many visitors who had traveled specifically to Chongqing for the performance. Ms. Zhang from Guiyang Province was one of them. After the show, she said, "This dance drama is breathtaking! From the stage design to the actors' performances, every detail was handled perfectly, and the essence of the Dazu Rock Carvings was captured flawlessly." She also revealed that after watching the performance, she couldn't wait to plan a trip to the Dazu Rock Carvings scenic area to experience the charm of this ancient culture firsthand.

With plans to stage 100 performances annually, the drama aims to showcase the beauty of Dazu to the world. "Tianxia Dazu" will launch a national tour in 2025, covering 11 cities with 50 performances and aiming for a total of 100 shows in the year. The tour will include Nanning, Hefei, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanchang, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Changsha, and other cities.

Alongside the national tour, "Tianxia Dazu" will initiate a series of promotional activities, including "Masters Appreciate the Carvings," art exhibitions, cultural pop-ups, interactive experiences with iconic characters, and "Follow the Drama to Dazu" tourism campaigns. 

These efforts aim to spread Chongqing's outstanding traditional culture and promote the World Heritage Site of the Dazu Rock Carvings across the country, creating a synergistic effect where the drama's popularity drives interest in the city.

"Tianxia Dazu" will also be performed for three consecutive days at the Chongqing Grand Theatre from February 21 to 23. On the afternoon of February 22, a meet-and-greet event with the cast will be held at the theatre, allowing audiences to interact with the creative team and gain deeper insights into the artistic and cultural essence of the Dazu Rock Carvings.