An artist makes rubbings from cliff carvings in Suzhou. [Photo/Suzhou Daily]

Cliff carvings in Suzhou, formerly covered by sludge and weeds, will soon be fully restored. The rubbings made from cliff-carvings have already been finished, and a rubbing book will soon be published featuring the cliff-carving rubbings of Zhao Yiguang (a Ming Dynasty calligraphy stamp-carving talent) and Qing Emperor Qianlong’s script.

Cliff carving is a precious tradition of major historical significance, often called a “frozen art museum”. In Suzhou High-Tech Zone, cliff carvings can be seen in the stones of several mountains including Tiger Hill, Guanshan Mountain, Hanshan Mountain, Qionglong Mountain, and Shigong Mountain. The cliff carvings at Hanshan Mountain, to the north of Tianping Mountain in the southwest of Suzhou, are the most famous. Though recognized as a Suzhou “cultural relic preservation site” in 1986, the mountain’s cliff carvings have been sadly neglected.

Suzhou High-Tech Zone has created detailed rules and regulations for the management, protection and fire-prevention of cliff carvings. Additionally, the zone will clearly identify all cliff carvings in Suzhou and arrange regular inspections. Along with several other cultural restoration projects, the preservation of cliff carvings is an integral part of Suzhou High-Tech Zone’s tourism-development plans for 2014. In the future, the cliff carvings will become a highlight of Suzhou tourism.