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Visitors to the will from today have an opportunity to see a unique exhibition of ancient rock carvings from China - sculptures never before been seen outside China.

will be open from Wednesday 26 January to Sunday 3 April 2011, with free entry. National Museum Cardiff is the only venue for the exhibition before it returns to Dazu.

Sakyamuni Buddha, Xiaofowan(AD1174-1252). © Dazu Rock Carvings Museum, Chongqing, China

The steep hillsides of the Dazu World Heritage site near contain an exceptional series of rock carvings dating from the middle of the seventh century and developed between the ninth and the 13th centuries.

Head of Sakyamuni Buddha (AD1127-1279). © Dazu Rock Carvings Museum, Chongqing, China

The carvings comprise 50,000 figures in total, and are remarkable for their aesthetic quality, their rich diversity of subject matter, both secular and religious, and the light that they shed on everyday life in China during this period.

It contains superb examples that have become detached from their original setting, along with accurate replicas of some of the most important sculptures still in situ and dramatic large-scale images, to give some idea of what it is like to visit these spectacular places.

Stone carving being delivered to the museum

Speaking about the carivings, David Anderson, director general of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales Director said: "Dazu rock carvings are some of China's greatest cultural treasures from a golden period of Chinese art.

"Hosting their first appearance outside of China is a privilege not just for the Museum but for Wales. I am confident this will be a popular exhibition and hope this is the beginning of a successful relationship between us and the Chongqing Culture Bureau."

Stone carving being delivered into museum building

Li Fangyin, curator of Art Museum of Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing, commenting on the exhibition in Cardiff, said: "Wales is such a place that is steeped in history and cultures, and the rich historical and cultural deposits embedded with her are exactly why we choose National Museum Wales, Cardiff to host the first appearance of Dazu Rock Carvings Art outside of China.

"As a world cultural heritage, Dazu Rock Carvings should not only be taken as a treasure for local people of Dazu, but should also be recognized as a cultural property of the whole world, and both the artistic and historical value should be shared and appreciated by world people".

The museum has made a film about the exhibition that you can .

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