Wei Taihe Statue

Wei Taihe Statue

The Wei Taihe Statue is a cultural relic protected by the Beijing Municipal Government.

Destination Introduction

The Wei Taihe Statue is located in Che’erying Village, Haidian District. Carved in the 13th year of the Taihe era during the Northern Wei Dynasty (489 AD), the statue is housed inside a stone chamber. The dignified and graceful sculpture is the oldest stone Buddhist statue in the Beijing area and is a key cultural relic under municipal protection.

Location: Located to the north of Che’erying Village, Haidian District

The stone Buddha stands 1.65 meters tall on a lotus-shaped stone pedestal carved with a Sumeru base, which is over 1 meter high. With ears that reach the shoulders, bare chest, and bare feet, the right hand is raised flat in front of the chest while the left hand naturally hangs down past the knees. The robe is draped diagonally, with long sleeves touching the ground and a pleated skirt tied at the waist. The folds of the clothing are represented by raised lines. Behind the stone Buddha is a halo measuring 2.2 meters in height, and behind the halo, 124 small Buddha statues are arranged horizontally in 12 rows from top to bottom. The small Buddhas are generally 12 cm tall, with the smallest being 4 cm in height.

Beijing Haidian District

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units in Beijing