Local fresh sandstone samples from Yungang Grottoes, Leshan Giant Buddha and Dazu Rock Carvings were used to conduct one-dimensional capillary rise tests for distilled water. Evolutions of absorption mass and wetting front were obtained while local microstrain was measured by strain gauge rosettes in three directions on the surface of specimen at different heights. Macroscopic properties were analyzed in combination with microstructural characteristics. The results show that the whole process of capillary water absorption can be divided into three stages. The fastest and the slowest changes of capillary water absorption and capillary height with time are in Leshan sandstone and Dazu sandstone, respectively. The final values of local microstrain gradually increase for Yungang sandstone, Dazu sandstone and Leshan sandstone, which have differences in order of magnitudes. The variation trend of local microstrain is closely related to the movement of wetting front in that both the vertical and tilted (45°) strains show a contraction first, followed by an expansion. Pore size distribution and clay minerals are critical in influencing the capacity of capillary water absorption and hydric deformation. Such ability is very closely correlated with the formation of surface weathering diseases such as powdering, disintegration, cracking and flaking.