Buddhist Grottoes Tuoshan

detail of head of attendant boddhisattva figure.

there 638 stone buddhas in 5 main grottoes, chiselled in northern zhou (577-581) , tang dynasty (613-907) , lie along mountain s eastern edge, close summit. of smaller grottoes empty. main grottoes intact exception of many of smaller-buddha s heads. protected cages. tallest statue, of seated buddha, still survives. on 7 m high, making largest in province. smallest statues @ site 10 cm (4 in) tall. site placed under national protection in 1988.