The Giant Buddha of Yujishi Mountain

The Giant Buddha of Yujishi Mountain

The Giant Buddha of Yujishi Mountain, located in Beiyuan Town, Nanbu County, is also known as the Beiyuan Giant Buddha. It lies 15 kilometers from the county seat of Nanbu and is one of the Top Ten Famous Buddhas in Sichuan.

The statue stands 17.5 meters tall, with a waist width of 6.13 meters and a lower hem width of 5.

2 meters. Its limbs and palms measure 1.3 meters in both length and width. The face is round and full, with ears reaching the shoulders, eyes slightly open and gazing forward, a thick and sturdy nose tip that extends straight to the center of the forehead, and slightly upturned lips, giving the figure a solemn and serene expression. The head features a ushnisha (protuberance), the chest is bare and the waist cinched, with bare elbows and feet. The left hand is raised to chest level, palm up, holding a relic, while the right hand is raised high, palm facing left, with the thumb and middle and ring fingers interlocked in the “teaching mudra.” The figure wears monastic robes, covered externally by an elaborately embroidered kasaya, showcasing fine carving and meticulous craftsmanship. Facing south but slightly westward, the statue stands against the rock face. Except for the upper back, which connects to the cliff, the entire body is not attached to the rock. The lower limbs are about 2 meters away from the cliff, allowing visitors to walk around the legs. A spring flows from a crevice behind the statue’s hips, and a pool at the feet holds clear water year-round.

The exact date of the Buddha’s carving is unknown, but based on its physique, clothing, and style, it is believed to have been created before the Southern Song Dynasty and was renovated in the eighth year of the Ming Jiajing reign.

On either side of the giant Buddha are rocks resembling a dragon and a tiger. To the right is a stone-carved statue of Guanyin. In the early years of the Qing Jiajing reign, local authorities carved a massive cave to defend against the White Lotus Rebellion. The main cave entrance is located 30 meters to the right of the giant Buddha. The cave stretches over 100 meters and contains remnants such as stone beds, stoves, grain storage, and latrines.

In 1985, the Nanbu County government restored the giant Buddha and developed the Yujishi Mountain Giant Buddha Scenic Area, enhancing its enchanting appeal.

Beiyuan Town: Located in the eastern part of Nanbu County, Beiyuan Town borders Nanmu Town to the east, Yongding Town to the west, Xiehe Town to the south, and Fuxing Township of Langzhong to the north. It is 15 kilometers from the county seat, with the Tang-Ba Highway running through the area. It serves as a key route from Nanbu County to Yilong, Bazhong, Nanjiang, and Tongjiang—one city and three counties. The Giant Buddha of Yujishi Mountain, one of the Top Ten Standing Buddhas in Sichuan and a provincial-level key cultural relic protection unit, is situated here. The town administers 15 administrative villages and 142 villager groups, with a total population of 18,809 (including 16,480 agricultural residents), covering an area of 29.7 square kilometers and featuring a total of 122... More detailed information about Beiyuan Town++