Xi'an Stone Tablets Forest. Situated in a former Confucian temple. Xi'an Stone Tablets Forest houses the heaviest collection of stone books in the world. Over 3000 stone tablets from the Han Dynasty (206B.C.-220A.D.) through the Qing Dynasty(1616-1911) are preserved.

Situated in a former Confucian temple. Xi'an Stone Tablets Forest houses the heaviest collection of stone books in the world.

Over 3000 stone tablets from the Han Dynasty (206B.C.-220A.D.) through the Qing Dynasty(1616-1911) are preserved.
It was originally set up in 1087 when some precious tablets were moved here for safe keeping.
Stone Tablets are often borne on bixi, legendary turtle-like creatures that were renowned for their incredible strength. In ancient time, tortoise symbolized longevity.

Handwriting of the greatest Chinese calligrapher, Wang Xizhi of Jin Dynasty(265-420).
Stone tablets here illustrate very well the evolution of the Chinese writing system. Up to today, these tablets have served as models for learners of calligraphy to follow.
It's a treasure house of ancient Chinese calligraphy, also a rich collection of historical documents and stone carvings of various styles.

The Da'qin Nestorian Tablet was engraved and erected in 781 A.D..
"Da'Qin" is an ancient Chinese term for the Roman Empire. Nestorian is a sect of Christianity.
It recorded the visit of a Nestorian priest to Chang'an (ancient Xi'an city) and the founding of a Nestorian chapel, providing evidence of a Nestorian presence in China as early as 635A.D..


Junyun Bell weighs 6 tons. It was cast during the reign of Jingyun (711A.D.), hence its name.
It's said that its clear and beautiful sound could be heard all over the city, when the bell was struck.
It was accepted as a world-famous bell at the World Bell Exhibition in 1964.

Stone sculpture is the gem of the nation's excellent cultural heritage. Stone sculptures here are classified into two groups: mausoleum carvings and religious carvings.

This stone animal used to be placed in front of a mausoleum to protect it from the attack of evils.

Striding beast, East Han Dynasty(25-220).
The craftsman of the Han Dynasty combined the physical features of lions and tigers, and created such an imaginary beast of prey.

Training lions was very popular in the Tang Dynasty.
This stone lions used to be placed in front of Zhaoling Mausoleum. They were so vividly modeled to reveal the animal's imposing and mighty power.

Training lions was very popular in the Tang Dynasty. Tamed lions could perform dances to the accompaniment of music in the imperial palace.

This stone rhinoceros, 10 tons in weight, was carved in 635, and initially placed in front of Emperor Gao Zu's tomb.
It was modeled out of a huge stone after the live rhinoceros that a foreign envoy sent to the Royal Court in the Tang Dynasty.

These Buddhist statues are graceful and solemn.
Buddhism was introduced into China from India around the first century A.D..
Idol carving also came to China with Buddhism, and stimulated the development of Chinese sculpture.
The meticulously carved muscles, jade trimmings, scarf and lotus petals are real to the touch and well-proportioned.