Introduction
The
Forest of Stone Steles in Xi'an is an art treasure-house with the
oldest and richest collection of steles in China. It is a classical
courtyard styled structure situated at the site of formal Confucian
Temple in Sanxue Street, xian, near the south gate of Xi'an City Wall.
The museum covers an area of more than 30,000 square meters. It
is not only one of the centers of ancient Chinese stone-engraving
classics, but also the focus of the works of art of celebrated calligraphers
of past dynasties. The numerous standing steles resemble a forest,
hence the name " Forest of Steles"'. With a history of almost
900 years, it is an art gem renowned at home and abroad.
History
The
Forest of Steles was initially established in AD 1087 when some precious
stone steles were moved here for safe keeping, including the "Classic
on Filial Piety" written by Emperor Xuanzong in AD 745 and "the
Kaicheng Stone Steles" arved in AD 837.
More information...
Exhibition
Halls
With 900 years of history, this treasure house holds a large collection
of the earliest stone steles of different periods, from the Han Dynasty
to the Qing Dynasty.The exhibition areas includes two sections: Forest
of Steles and Stone Sculpture. Forest of Steles house over 3,000 pieces
of steles from the War Kingdoms to Qing Dyasty time. The simple figure
of the stone sculpture shows vigorous strength. More
information...
The
Stone Sculpture Gallery was built in 1963, including mausoleum stone
sculpture and religious stone sculpture from Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD)
to Tang Dynasty. The famous exhibits are the six bas-reliefs, four
of them original, form the Zhaoling, the Mausoleum of Emperor Tang
Taizong.A reproduction of the horse from the tomb of " Swift
Cavalry General" Huo Qubing also stands here.At the end of the
gallery are some Buddhist statues, of which the most famous is a very
beautiful torso of a bodhisattva, showing strong Indian influence
from the Tang period. It is prized as a great treasure in the art
of world stone sculptures.
Xian Tour Routes Covers Forest
of Stone Steles
XK-1. 2 Days Xian Tour
XK-2. 3 Days Xian Tour
XK-6. Xian 4 Days Tour of Terracotta Warrior and Mt. Hua
XH-1. Xian 2 Days Private Tour of Terracotta Warriors
XH-2. Xian 3 Days Package Tour
XH-3. 4 Days Organized Xian Tour of Terracotta Warrior
XH-5. 4 Days Xian Private Tour of Terracotta Warrior and Famen Temple
XH-6. 4 Days Xian Tour of Terracotta Warrior and Mt. Huashan
Photo of Stele Forest
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