The Yilizhai Cliff Carvings are located in Dongfeng Town, Yanjiang District, Ziyang City, adjacent to a major transportation route. The 41 extant Buddhist niches were carved in two phases: an early phase and a later 
phase. The statues built in the early phase are predominantly carved into broad and smooth cliff faces, featuring medium-to-large statues with a wide range of subjects. They date from the second half of the 8th century to the first half of the 9th century. The statues constructed in the later phase are mostly attached to the side walls of large niches or scattered on cliff faces, with small niches dominating and limited subject matter, dating from the second half of the 9th century to the early 10th century. The change in subjects of the carvings between the two phases are closely related to the transformation of Buddhist belief in Sichuan region from the late Tang Dynasty to the Five Dynasties, reflecting distinct characteristics of the times. The numerous mortise holes and groove traces on the cliff face reflect the continuous efforts by devotees throughout history to build and preserve the grottoes, demonstrating the continuity and transmission of Buddhist faith among the local populace.