Stone Carved Statues in Zhaoba Cave

The stone carved statues in Zhaoba Cave represent the largest grotto Buddhist sculpture complex in Zhangqiu. The cave is located 800 metres south of Zhaobadong Village, Yanjia Yu Township, Zhangqiu City, beneath the West Peak. Steep mountain cliffs surround it on the east, south and west. A rugged mountain path from the village leads up to the cave entrance.

Zhaoba Cave is a natural limestone cavern facing northeast. The entrance is 8 metres wide, the cave stretches roughly more than 50 metres inward, and its height varies from 5 to 20 metres. In the southwest corner lie a natural stone bed and stone table. Further southwest is another narrow cavern only wide enough for one person to squeeze through.

Five metres inside the main cave, a total of 85 relief statues were carved on the north and south walls during the Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties. On the south wall, 1.5 metres from the entrance, there is a horizontal stone plaque inscribed with four running-script characters: Reaching Heaven and Penetrating Earth. The inscription reads: "Written by Su Zhou, also known as Snow-Straw Man, for Dragon Cave of Zhonglu Mountain Man in the fourth lunar month of the Jiyou year during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty." The brushwork is unrestrained yet well-structured with remarkable artistic charm, making it a rare treasure of calligraphy.

Jagged stalactites hang from the ceiling, and clear pools dot the ground. The cave stays piercingly cool all year round, making it an ideal summer retreat.

In September 1979, the Stone Carved Statues in Zhaoba Cave were designated a Major Cultural Relic under Municipal Protection by the People’s Government of Jinan City.