Shibaoshan Grottoes: Nanzhao kings carved in red sandstone
Shibaoshan, between Shaxi and Jianchuan
Cave carvings from the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms, roughly the 9th to 12th centuries, cut into red sandstone cliffs: kings seated with their courts, Buddhas, guardian figures and a fertility shrine local women still visit. It fits neatly into a night in Shaxi, a short drive below.
What locals sayPosts put it alongside Shaxi as the Jianchuan stop most visitors skip and shouldn't.
- Time
- 2–3 hours · Morning
- In Chinese
- 石宝山石窟 石钟寺
Based on what locals and regular visitors share, checked against current sources · Updated September 2026. Details change — check opening times locally.
