Anshan Jade Buddha Garden

Anshan Jade Buddha Garden

The Anshan Jade Buddha Garden is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Jade Buddha Garden Scenic Area is among the first batch of national AAAA-level tourist attractions. Covering an area of 4.6 hectares, it is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces water on one. The site consists of a three-arched mountain gate, a jade belt bridge, a lotus pond, and a fruit-flower island. The main structure, the Jade Buddha Pavilion, is magnificent and resplendent with gold and colors. Inside the hall stands the jade carving of "Sakyamuni – Guanyin Crossing the Sea," weighing 260.76 tons. With its seven integrated colors, vibrant hues, exquisitely detailed carving, and brilliant luster, it was honored as the "Greatest in the Guinness Book of Records in China" in November 1997.

The establishment of the Jade Buddha Garden created a miracle in modern transportation, carving, and architectural history. It attracts millions of visitors each year. Over 30 national leaders, including Li Peng, Ye Xuanping, Fei Xiaotong, and others, have inspected and visited the garden, praising it as a "national treasure." Renowned figures from Hong Kong, Thailand, and around the world, such as Buddhist Master Yongxing and the Thai Princess, also marveled at it as a "miracle on earth." The miraculous events that occurred during the carving process of the jade Buddha — such as the "naturally formed Buddha face," "auspicious dragon and phoenix," "miraculous scene of Mount Putuo," and "grand enlightenment" — further reflect the profound integration of jade culture and Buddhist culture, leaving visitors in awe and endless praise.

The Jade Buddha Garden Scenic Area is located in the eastern part of downtown Anshan, Liaoning Province. Covering an area of 40,000 square meters, it is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces water on one. Backed by the picturesque Dongshan Scenic Area and facing the natural Giant Maitreya Buddha, it is a remarkable wonder in the history of contemporary Chinese tourism. The area is composed of uniquely styled and distinctive structures, including the Jade Buddha Pavilion, the jade belt bridge, the three-arched mountain gate, the lotus pond, and the fruit-flower island, all complementing each other beautifully. Three imperial-path stone slabs are carved with nine dragons, symbolizing the “Nine Dragons Holding the Sacred One.”

On September 3, 1996, the grand architectural complex of the Jade Buddha Garden, along with the long-awaited world’s largest jade Buddha, was finally unveiled, revealing its mysterious veil. With its architectural style that blends modernity with antiquity and uniqueness with solemnity, and its rich cultural heritage integrating jade culture and Buddhist culture, it proudly presented itself to the world, showcasing its unique charm and extraordinary splendor. On September 19, 2000, the world’s largest jade Buddha was consecrated in a grand ceremony. The main structure of the Jade Buddha Garden — the Jade Buddha Pavilion — stands 33 meters tall, symbolizing the Buddhist concept of the Thirty-Three Heavens. Its highest point reaches 35.2 meters, making it one of the tallest classical-style buildings in China. The pavilion is 66 meters wide and 58 meters deep, featuring a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof structure with overlapping eaves, covered with red glazed tiles, giving it a majestic and layered appearance. The large caisson ceiling is engraved with a 24K gold-inlaid design of nine dragons guarding a precious pearl, using a total of 120 taels of gold. Under the illumination of lights, it shines brilliantly, and the decorative layout of the Jade Buddha Pavilion is filled with a strong atmosphere of religious culture.

At the four corners of the caisson hang four lotus-shaped treasure lamps, inlaid with tens of thousands of crystal beads. The three layers of lotus flowers create an atmosphere of solemnity and elegance. The jade Buddha housed in the Jade Buddha Pavilion was carved from the "Jade King," discovered in 1960 in Xiuyan County, Anshan — known as China’s jade capital. The Jade King measures 7.265 meters in height, 6.88 meters in width, 4.1 meters in thickness, and weighs 260.76 tons. Its front side depicts Sakyamuni Buddha, while the back features Guanyin Bodhisattva. In November 1997, the jade Buddha was honored as the "Greatest in the Guinness World Records" for its grand scale, vibrant colors, and lustrous beauty, and is hailed as a human miracle created from a rare treasure. Jade is as precious in China as gold is in the West, being a magical and highly symbolic natural treasure. The feat of extracting the "Jade King," which had lain dormant in the mountains for 32 years, over an 8-day, 8-night journey spanning 172 kilometers, and then having 40 jade carving masters meticulously craft it into the world-admired Jade Buddha over 17 months, is a monumental achievement in itself. The numerous miracles that occurred during the carving process — such as the naturally formed Buddha face, the grand enlightenment of Buddhist teachings, the dancing dragon and phoenix appearing before the Buddha, and the hidden sacred realm of Mount Putuo behind the Buddha — all stem from the profound integration of jade culture and Buddhist culture.