Sichuan and Chongqing together boast the highest number of grotto temple cultural relic sites in China. The grottoes in the two places represent the late phase of Chinese grotto temple art and herald the ultimate zenith in global grotto artistry. They are celebrated as a pivotal chapter in the evolution of Chinese grotto art. In the past four years, Sichuan and Chongqing have signed the Strategic Cooperation Agreement for the Protection and Utilization of Cultural Relics within the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and jointly established the Sichuan-Chongqing Grotto Protection Research Center. The development of the Sichuan-Chongqing Grotto Temples National Heritage Park has been incorporated into the national Plan for Cultural Relics Protection and Science and Technology Innovation during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and the Special Plan for Grotto Temple Protection and Utilization during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). The park also represents the inaugural area for the pilot initiative of establishing national grotto temple heritage parks.

Reportedly, this past August, the Overall Plan for the Sichuan-Chongqing Grotto Temples National Heritage Park (hereinafter referred to as the Plan) was formally approved by a national panel of experts in Dazu District, Chongqing. The joint effort by Sichuan and Chongqing to establish the national heritage park for grotto temples is now accelerating forward. As outlined in the Plan, an integrated approach will be implemented in Sichuan and Chongqing. Specifically, through evaluating the grotto temple resources in the two places, the most appealing and influential sites will be chosen as the core zones of the park. In light of the scattered distribution of the grotto temples and their seamless blend with the natural scenery, two types of display nodes will be established: "cultural attractions" and "micro-landscapes". The core zones and the display nodes will be interconnected through the historical routes of the grotto temple spread, encompassing the Shu Roads and the Jialing River.