A 9.9-meter-tall Root Carving Buddha and Bodhisattva Statue, Along with a Group of Diverse Root Carved Laohan

Located in the Dangtu Modern Agricultural Demonstration Park within Ma'anshan, Anhui Province, there is a scenic area called ‘Shishang Rulin Jia’ (Poet’s Residence).

The scenic area has three areas: a high-end bonsai garden, a root carving exhibition hall, and a water touring zone. The bonsai garden covers an area of approximately 20,000 square meters, featuring treasures such as ‘Lianli Yingke Mu’ (Linked Pine and Guest Welcoming Pine) and the ‘Four Combination Bonsai’, as well as nearly a thousand bonsai of various sizes and characteristics in a pile-style.

I was deeply impressed by the root carving exhibition hall. The root carving exhibition hall consists of the Tianwang Dian (Heaven King Hall), Da Xiong Bao Dian (Great Palanquin Hall), and Luo Han Tang (Lao Han Hall), along with connecting corridors, with a total area of approximately 4,000 square meters, forming an architectural group with a style reminiscent of the Qin and Tang Dynasties.

In the main hall, there is a giant root carving woodblock print measuring 9.9 meters in height depicting the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, as well as various figures of Eight Hundred Lao Han (Monks). Upon careful observation, the intricate carvings and sculpting techniques are exceptionally refined. The carvings are made from a single wooden pillar, meticulously carved and polished by skilled artisans into lifelike, expressive works of art, transporting visitors to another artistic realm.

There’s a familiar line of poetry: ‘I live at the head of the Yangtze River, you live at its tail; I think of you every day, I cannot see you, and we share a drink of Yangtze River water’ – this is from the famous Song Dynasty poet Li Zhiyi. He lived in Dangtu for 10 years.

We are familiar with the poet Li Bai, who visited Dangtu seven times. He was a true ‘traveling genius’ of ancient times, wandering and indulging in Dangtu throughout his life, eventually settling down and dying there.

Shishang Rulin Jia is a typical Hui style architecture, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship even in the details. The water touring zone features a false mountain landscape created from approximately 5,000 tons of Taihu stone and sculpture, a ‘Love Lake’, and a 100-meter-long waterfront cultural corridor, with rare endangered plants such as Red Pine (Hong Dou Shan) reaching heights of seven or eight meters.

Shishang Rulin Jia scenic area’s Hui style bonsai garden and Hui style root carving Buddhist kingdom represent a quintessential example of Hui style and Hu (Huai An) charm, recognized as a non-material cultural heritage with high quality and status. Visitors can appreciate these artistic masterpieces while strolling through the area. The scenic area integrates leisure, tourism, entertainment, and dining, making it an ideal place for relaxation and recreation.

Scenic Area Address: No. 2, Dangtu Second Route, West of Phoenix Mountain Road, Ma'anshan Modern Agricultural Demonstration Zone (opposite Zisheng Ecological Park)

Bus Route: Take Dangtu East Gate Bus Station's Second Route Line to Shishang Rulin Jia Scenic Area

Driving Route: Ning Ma Expressway Dangtu Exit – 314 Provincial Road East 2 kilometers to the site.