Leshan Giant Buddha

1.Introduction: "The Mountain is a Buddha"

2.Located at the turbulent confluence of the: Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu rivers, the Leshan Giant Buddha sits majestically carved into the red sandstone cliff of Lingyun Mountain. Gazing down at the river for over a millennium, this colossal statue embodies the ancient saying: "The mountain is a Buddha, and the Buddha is a mountain". Standing 71 meters tall, it is the largest stone-carved Maitreya Buddha in the world and a masterpiece of Tang Dynasty religious art. In 1996, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site alongside Mount Emei. For travelers, it represents not just a visual marvel, but a profound testament to ancient engineering and the human spirit’s desire to tame the forces of nature.

A Legend of Sacrifice and Engineering

3.The history of the Giant: Buddha is as dramatic as its size. Construction began in the first year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (713 AD) under the leadership of a monk named Haitong. At the time, the river waters were fierce, frequently causing shipwrecks and drowning locals. Haitong vowed to carve a Buddha to calm the waters and protect living beings.

4.A famous legend highlights Haitong's dedication: when local officials tried to extort the funds raised for the statue, Haitong defied them, declaring, "You can gouge out my eyes, but you cannot touch the Buddha's money." He then dug out his own eyes to prove his resolve. Although Haitong passed away before its completion, the project was continued by his successors and finally completed in 803 AD, spanning a total of 90 years. Remarkably, the stone debris thrown into the river during excavation actually altered the currents, reducing the dangerous whirlpools and fulfilling the "miracle" of calming the waters.

Architectural Marvels

The statue’s scale is breathtaking. The Buddha is 71 meters high, with a head height of 14.7 meters and shoulders 24 meters wide. Even the smallest details are immense; the head features 1,051 spiraled hair buns, the ears stretch 7 meters long, and the fingers are 8 meters long.

Perhaps the greatest secret to its longevity is its hidden drainage system. A complex network of gutters and channels is concealed within the hair buns, collar, and chest, preventing weathering and erosion for over 1,200 years.

Ways to Explore

5.Visiting the Leshan Giant: Buddha offers two distinct perspectives, often described as "viewing from land and water":

• 6.Hiking the Nine Bends Plank Road: For a close-up encounter, visitors can descend the "Nine Bends Plank Road" (Jiuqu Zhandao). This steep, narrow path carved into the cliff runs from the Buddha's head down to his feet. It allows you to touch the cliffside and truly appreciate the sheer scale of the statue—it is said that a hundred people can sit on the Buddha’s instep alone.
• 7.Boat Tours: To see the panoramic view of the Buddha in its entirety, a boat tour is essential. From the middle of the river, the "Mountain is a Buddha" concept becomes clear, and the statue appears most majestic against the backdrop of the cliffs and trees.

Surrounding Highlights

The scenic area includes more than just the main statue.

• 8.The Sleeping Buddha: Looking at the Lingyun and Wuyou mountains from a distance, the natural skyline forms the shape of a giant sleeping Buddha lying on the river, stretching for several kilometers.
• 9.Lingyun Temple: Located near the Buddha's head, this ancient temple offers a place for prayer and features towering cypress trees.
• 10.Mahao Cliff Tombs: Nearby, visitors can explore mysterious Eastern Han Dynasty tombs carved into the cliffs, featuring hanging coffins.