Beishan is less dramatic at first glance than Baodingshan, but it is one of Dazu's most rewarding sites. Nearly 10,000 figures are packed into hundreds of niches along the cliff, with work dating from the late Tang through the Song dynasty.
The pleasure here is in detail: small bodhisattvas, fierce guardians, inscriptions, and changes in style from robust Tang carving to more delicate Song work. It is close enough to town for a taxi ride or a determined walk.