Oriental

1.Introduction: The Fifth Great Grotto Group

2.Located deep within the peaks of Lingyun: Mountain, just one kilometer from the world-famous Leshan Giant Buddha, lies a hidden artistic treasure: the Oriental Buddha Park. Spanning approximately 200,000 square meters of dense forest and rocky cliffs, this massive complex is not just a scenic spot but a grand open-air museum of Buddhist art. Opened in May 1994, the park was designed to restore the Tang Dynasty grandeur described as "a temple on every peak" (Feng Ge You Si), filling the historical void left after many ancient temples were destroyed by war.

Although a contemporary creation, the park is widely praised as the "Fifth Great Grotto Group" of China and a "Model of Contemporary Cliff Carving Art". It sits within the protection zone of the UNESCO World Heritage site and serves as a profound cultural extension to the Leshan Giant Buddha. For travelers, it offers a quieter, more immersive experience into the diversity of Buddhist sculpture, featuring over 3,000 statues that range from towering giants to intricate cliff carvings.

3.The Wanfo Cave: A Masterpiece of Engineering

4.The heart of the park is the magnificent: Wanfo Cave (Cave of Ten Thousand Buddhas). Extending over 700 meters, this underground palace is carved directly into the mountain rock. Remarkably, the construction of this massive grotto adhered strictly to ancient methods, utilizing the natural mountain stone without the use of modern steel or cement reinforcements.

Inside, visitors are greeted by an awe-inspiring atmosphere of mist and grandeur. The cave houses the world's tallest standing statue of the Medicine Buddha (Bhaisajyaguru), towering at 51 meters, and a unique 33-meter tall sitting Shakyamuni Buddha located in the center of the mountain. The walls are adorned with carvings of the Four Heavenly Kings and the mystic Peacock Wisdom King, creating a labyrinth of spiritual art that rivals ancient historical sites.

The World's Largest Reclining Buddha

One of the park's most visually striking wonders is the giant Reclining Buddha. Measuring an astounding 170 meters in length, it is the world's largest reclining Buddha statue. The design is a triumph of harmony between art and nature; the sculptors carved the head towards the south and the feet towards the north, while utilizing the natural vegetation and forest cover to form the Buddha's "Kesa" (monastic robe). Seen from a distance, the mountain itself seems to breathe as the Buddha enters Nirvana, blurring the line between the earth and the divine.

A Fusion of Global Buddhist Art

5.The Oriental Buddha: Park is unique in its scope. It does not limit itself to one style but serves as a collection of world Buddhist art. The park features faithful replicas of famous statues from China's legendary grottoes—including Dunhuang, Yungang, and Longmen—as well as distinct styles from India, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Materials used range from traditional stone and copper to painted clay and black jade. Visitors can climb the 173 stone steps of "Lianxin Mountain" (Connecting Hearts Mountain) to hang lucky locks or visit the Arhat Hall, which displays hundreds of lifelike, painted clay Arhat statues.