0ver 6O,OOO carved stone figures relating mainly to Buddhism are spread around 76 places within Dazu County 160 kilometres to the west of Chongqing. The content and craftsmanship are best at Beishan and Baoding hills. The art of Dazu, which emerged in the late Tang Dynasty (6l8-907AD) and flourished in the Song Dynasty (960-1127) represents an important chapter in China's cultural and religious history. In the treasure of Dazu stone sculptures, the well designed groups of nineteen grand reliefs cover a wide scope of artistic themes, and most of them present Buddhist figures as human beings and depict scenes from everyday life. They are rarely seen in any other part of the world.