Day 3: Let's rock

Dazu district is about 100 km west of downtown, and the tour to Dazu Rock Carvings will take a day.

One of the four greatest Buddhist grottoes in China, it has a history of more than 1,000 years and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

What makes the Dazu carvings so special are their aesthetic quality, state of preservation, rich diversity of the subject, both secular and religious, and the light that they shed on daily life in China during ancient times. Many of the carvings are brightly painted and tell religious, moral and historical stories.

If you are interested in Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, Dazu is a must-see destination.

After enjoying the spiritual journey, you can eat at Lotus Garden on your way back to the downtown. The recommended dishes include lotus-themed food — soup, pork and porridge — and also drinks. The restaurant is built on a beautiful lotus lake.