Grand Buddha of the Central Plains

Grand Buddha of the Central Plains

The Grand Buddha of the Central Plains is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The construction of the Grand Buddha of the Central Plains began in 1997 and was consecrated on the first day of September 2008, taking 12 years and an investment of 1.2 billion yuan. The statue stands 208 meters tall, using 108 kilograms of gold, 3,300 kilograms of alloy copper, and 15,000 tons of special steel. With a solemn and majestic expression, the Grand Buddha majestically towers over the Foquan Temple at the foot of Mount Yao. It is encircled by nine-tiered mountain peaks, with the left resembling a coiling green dragon, the right like a crouching white tiger, the front with a vermilion bird spreading its wings, and the back guarded by a black tortoise. Coupled with the sacred waters of the Sha River that flow year-round before the Buddha and the therapeutic hot springs of the Foquan area, the site boasts abundant landscape resources and beautiful surroundings, making it a rare geomantic treasure land. The image of the Grand Buddha is kind and solemn, sacred and efficacious. Gazing upon the Buddha brings infinite wisdom and spiritual solace to people, instills confidence and blessings in worshippers, and serves as an ideal place for prayer and spiritual cultivation. Its core cultural essence of promoting kindness will also purify the public's hearts and create a harmonious social environment, praying for peace and prosperity in the nation.

Towering in the heart of the Central Plains of Henan, among the Five Great Buddhas of the Five Directions, the Grand Buddha of the Central Plains is yet another valuable cultural heritage and treasure left to the world. Venerable Yi Cheng, President of the Buddhist Association of China, and Venerable Jue Guang, President of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, both personally inscribed the name “Grand Buddha of the Central Plains.” Venerable Hsing Yun, President of the Buddha’s Light International Association and founder of Humanistic Buddhism, even inscribed “The World’s Number One Grand Buddha of the Central Plains,” signifying that the Grand Buddha of the Central Plains scenic area will soon become a world-renowned Buddhist holy site and the foremost sacred place of the Buddha. Provincial Party Secretary Xu Guangchun has inspected the site multiple times and also inscribed the words “Grand Buddha of the Central Plains” with high hopes for its future development.

The Grand Buddha of the Central Plains scenic area is well planned, with grand and spectacular landscape constructions. The Tianrui Auspicious Golden Bell weighs 116 tons and is the world’s largest outdoor bronze bell, recorded in the Guinness World Records. The thousand-year-old Foquan Temple, originally built during the Tang Dynasty, is large in scale and has numerous followers, making it a well-known Buddhist temple in southwestern Henan. The Prayer Platform at the foot of the Grand Buddha features naturally formed Huigu Zen Sounds, allowing one to converse with heaven and earth, with the Grand Buddha, and with oneself, achieving spiritual enlightenment. The Fortune and Wisdom Avenue, the Buddha-Worshipping Heavenly Stairs, and the Eight Treasures Square offer insight into Buddhist culture. Touching the Buddha’s feet, standing in the Fortune Nook, and ringing the Golden Bell to pray will all leave you with wonderful memories on your “Blessing Journey” to the Grand Buddha of the Central Plains.

The Grand Buddha of the Central Plains is yet another highlight of Henan’s tourism and culture, a Buddhist cultural holy site that Henan people can take pride in. Pray to the Grand Buddha of the Central Plains for a lifetime of peace. The Grand Buddha of the Central Plains scenic area warmly welcomes everyone to visit.

Ticket price: 120 RMB per person

Free admission: Children under 1.3 meters in height, seniors over 70 years old, active-duty military personnel, and journalists are admitted free of charge upon presenting valid identification.

Discount policy: Children between 1.3 and 1.5 meters in height, seniors aged 60–69, students, and people with disabilities may purchase half-price tickets at the scenic area upon presenting valid identification.

Transportation

Internal transportation: Visitors can take minibuses to go up and down the mountain.

External transportation

TIP: When traveling to the Yaoshan Grand Buddha scenic area, it is recommended to get off at “Shangtang Village,” the stop before Yaoshan Town. The Grand Buddha scenic area is located in Shangtang Village, while the Yaoshan scenic area is in Yaoshan Town.

By bus

1. Zhengzhou — Yaoshan

① Zhengzhou South Long-Distance Bus Station (at the intersection of Jingguang Road and South Third Ring Road), one bus daily at 14:40, ticket price 65 RMB, approximately four hours.

② Zhengzhou General Bus Station (at the intersection of Jingguang Road and Haixing Middle Road), two buses daily at 12:50 and 16:20, ticket price 60 RMB.

2. Pingdingshan — Yaoshan

1) Direct routes

① Pingdingshan Bus Passenger Transport Center Station (southern section of Zhongxing Road, Pingdingshan), two buses daily at 6:50 and 13:30, ticket price 27 RMB.

② Pingdingshan Trade Plaza Yingcheng Bus Station, six buses daily, ticket price 28 RMB, approximately three hours.

First bus departs at 5:40 (Note: 5:40 in summer, 6:20 in winter)

Second bus departs at 7:00

Third bus departs at 10:00

Fourth bus departs at 13:00

Fifth bus departs at 15:00

Sixth bus departs at 17:00 (Note: 17:00 in summer, 16:30 in winter)

(Summer schedule: March 15 – November 15; Winter schedule: November 15 – March 15)

2) Transfer: Pingdingshan City — Lushan Town — Yaoshan

From Pingdingshan Passenger Transport Center to Lushan, buses run every 10 minutes from 6:00 to 18:30, with a fare of 12 yuan. Then take a bus from Lushan Town to Yaoshan.

3. Lushan Town — Yaoshan

Tourist buses to Yaoshan Scenic Area depart on average every 10 minutes from Lushan Long-Distance Bus Station opposite Lushan Railway Station, with a fare of 15 yuan.

4. Luoyang City — Yaoshan

Luoyang Bus Station offers one daily bus to the eastern route of Yaoshan, departing at 14:30, with a fare of 63 yuan.

5. Luohe City — Yaoshan

Luohe Bus Station (at the intersection of Gong’an Street and Renmin Road) has one daily bus departing at 8:00, with a fare of 65 yuan.

Train

1. Trains from Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Guiyang, Luoyang, Dengzhou, Nanyang, Zunyi, Chongqing, Yichang, Xinxiang, Taiyuan, Xiamen, and other cities stop at Lushan Railway Station. From there, take the tourist bus to Yaoshan Scenic Area at Lushan Long-Distance Bus Station opposite the railway station.

2. Take a train from your provincial capital city to Zhengzhou Railway Station, then transfer to a Yaoshan-bound bus at Zhengzhou South Station or the main station.

Flight

Fly to Xinzheng Airport, then take a bus from Xinzheng to Zhengzhou (or Pingdingshan), and transfer to a bus to Yaoshan Scenic Area.

Self-Drive

Take the Zheng-Yao Expressway, exit at the Yaoshan toll gate, and follow the signs to Yaoshan Scenic Area.

Opening Hours

8:00—17:00