FCA&C’s mini Chinese flavoured season (exhibition and accompanying activities) at St Andrews Museum have just come to an end, and seem to have proved very popular to visitors of all ages.  Alas, the exhibition now wends its way back to the Chinese Arts Centre in Manchester.

But if you’re in the Cardiff area before 3 April 2011 and would like a taste of Chinese culture from 9-13th centuries, look no further than the National Museum of Wales.  Seen for the first time out of China is an amazing selection of rock carvings from Dazu in south west China (the ones on display have become detached from their original site!).  Originating from caves, hewn out of the hillsides, these beautiful sculptures give a hint of secular and religious life in China from many centuries ago.  Full details of  ‘From Steep Hillsides: Ancient Rock Carvings from Dazu, China’ from the NMW’s website.

Vairocana Buddha, (c) Dazu Rock Carvings Museum, Chongqing, China