Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha

The Leshan Giant Buddha is a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction, a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.

The Leshan Giant Buddha, located at the confluence of the Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu rivers, is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, a National Scenic Area, one of China’s Top Forty Tourist Attractions, and a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction.

The scenic area spans 17.88 square kilometers and features distinctive cultural and natural landscapes. Down by the river, the waters surge, shimmering with sunlight and clouds, while sandpipers gather and sails dot the horizon. Up in the mountains, flowers bloom profusely, dense forests and bamboo groves thrive, red-tiled eaves and painted beams adorn ancient halls, and sheer cliffs rise in vibrant hues. Highlights include the world’s largest — the Leshan Giant Buddha, a natural and cultural marvel — the “Giant Reclining Buddha,” the “Western Putuo” — Wuyou Temple, the Eastern Cliff Tombs, a treasure trove of Buddhist art — the Oriental Buddha Park, Song and Yuan dynasty ruins — the Three Turtles and Nine Peaks City, the story of Maitreya’s transformation — the Buddha’s Heavenly Paradise, and breathtaking views of the Buddha from the river. Additionally, there are renowned historical and cultural sites such as the Lidui, Erya Terrace, Haishi Cave, Lingyun Temple, Lingbao Pagoda, Dragon Pool and Tiger Cave, the Nine-Bend Plank Walkway, Dongpo Tower, Zhu Yi Cave, Lower Guanyin Temple, Thousand Peaks Cave, the Mo Ruo Hall, Bijin Tower, the Stele Forest, Plum Garden, and the Fishing Village. Countless inscriptions by historical literati and a profound Buddhist cultural atmosphere enrich the experience.

Nestled between mountains and water, the scenic area boasts picturesque vistas and a wealth of historic sites scattered like stars, resembling a natural scroll painting of breathtaking beauty. Whether ascending steps or cruising the river, drifting amidst green hills and clear waters and immersed in poetic charm, visitors are sure to find their spirits lifted and hearts lingering.

An ancient saying goes, “Pay homage to Mount Emei in the morning, and to Lingyun in the evening.” The world-famous Leshan Giant Buddha is carved into the cliffs at the confluence of the Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu rivers, depicting a seated Maitreya Buddha. The carving began in the early Kaiyuan era (713 AD) under Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, initiated by Monk Haitong to subdue the fierce currents and save sentient beings. It mobilized manpower and resources and was completed in 803 AD during the reign of Emperor Dezong (the 19th year of the Zhenyuan era), taking 90 years in total.

On December 6, 1996, Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha were approved by UNESCO as a “World Cultural and Natural Heritage” site and officially inscribed on the World Heritage List. On February 24, 1982, it was designated a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council.

The Giant Buddha is proportionally balanced, solemn in expression, and carved directly into the mountain, sitting majestically by the river. It stands 71 meters tall, with a head width of 10 meters, 1,021 hair buns, ears 7 meters long, a nose 5.6 meters long, eyebrows 5.6 meters long, eyes 3.3 meters long, shoulders 28 meters wide, fingers 8.3 meters long, and a foot sole 8.5 meters wide — wide enough to seat over a hundred people. Poets have lauded it as “the mountain is a Buddha, and the Buddha is a mountain,” making it the world’s largest Buddha (the largest stone-carved Maitreya Buddha statue). To the left of the Giant Buddha, descending through the “Cave Heaven” leads to the start of the Lingyun Plank Walkway, which stretches nearly 500 meters. To the right is the Nine-Bend Plank Walkway.

According to records such as Tang Dynasty’s Wei Gao’s *Record of the Leshan Giant Buddha* and Ming Dynasty’s Peng Rushi’s *Record of the Renovation of Lingyun Temple*, the Buddha was carved from the early Kaiyuan era of Emperor Xuanzong (713 AD) and completed in the 19th year of the Zhenyuan era of Emperor Dezong (803 AD), taking 90 years. For over a thousand years, the Leshan Giant Buddha has witnessed countless human affairs and dynastic changes, yet remains solemn and compassionate, unwavering in its serenity.

The initiator of the Leshan Giant Buddha’s carving was Monk Haitong. A native of Guizhou, Haitong left his hometown to become a monk at the foot of Lingyun Mountain in Leshan. This area is where the three rivers converge, and during flood season, raging waters would surge like wild horses, often destroying farmland and capsizing boats.

Determined to tame the river, Monk Haitong resolved to carve a giant Buddha to subdue the water demons. The first challenge was funding. To raise money, Haitong begged for alms far and wide, accumulating small donations until he finally secured sufficient funds after years of effort. When the carving began, the public watched with great anticipation and joy, but local officials took the opportunity to make things difficult, demanding construction and protection fees before allowing work to proceed. Furious, Haitong declared firmly, “You may take my eyeballs, but not the Buddha’s funds!” The officials sneered and retorted, “If you truly give us your eyeballs, we won’t ask for the Buddha’s money!” Immediately, Haitong drew a sharp knife, gouged out his own eye, placed it on a plate, and presented it to the officials. Horrified, they fled the scene. Enduring the agony, Haitong gestured, and the carving of the Giant Buddha commenced. After his death, his disciples and artisans continued the work, and after 90 years, the Leshan Giant Buddha finally stood tall at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi rivers.

The Giant Buddha’s head aligns with the mountain peak, its feet rest on the great river, and its hands rest on its knees. Standing over 70 meters tall, its head alone is about 15 meters high — wide enough to hold a round table. Its ears are 7 meters long, and its eyes 3.3 meters long, with enough space between them for two grown men to stand. Its shoulders span 28 meters, wide enough for a basketball court. Its feet can seat over a hundred people, making it a true giant.

In recent years, visitors have noticed that the mountain behind the Giant Buddha resembles a reclining Buddha, with the Giant Buddha precisely positioned at its heart — a deeper symbolic meaning.

When observing this 90-year Tang Dynasty Buddha, people often focus only on its cliff-carved exterior and its solemn seated posture with hands resting on its knees, but the structural details of its body are less noticeable. Yet, upon closer examination, its anatomy is quite fascinating.

1. Leshan Giant Buddha

Protected Area: North to the north gate of the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, west to the riverside cliff carvings of Lingyun Mountain and the 30-meter boundary extending outward from the Giant Buddha along the river, south to the foothills south of Lower Guanyin Temple, east to the eastern edge of the Lingbao Pagoda parking lot, the steep bank east of the scripture depository of Lingyun Temple, and the foothills east of Lower Guanyin Temple.

Construction Control Zone: North to the line connecting the southern end of the South City Tourist Pier No. 2 to the southern side of Guanfo Tower across the Minjiang River, west to the western bank of the Minjiang River and the eastern boundary of Fengzhou Island, south to the line connecting Yongcui Tower, Zhurong Peak, and Duiyue Peak foothills, east to the western side of the South City Main Road, the east gate of the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, and the foothills west of Juri Peak.

2. Lingbao Pagoda

Protected Area: Bounded by the foothills of Lingbao Peak.

Construction Control Zone: North to the line connecting the southern end of the South City Tourist Pier No. 2 to the southern side of Guanfo Tower across the Minjiang River, west to the western bank of the Minjiang River and the eastern boundary of Fengzhou Island, south to the line connecting Yongcui Tower, Zhurong Peak, and Duiyue Peak foothills, east to the western side of the South City Main Road, the east gate of the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, and the foothills west of Juri Peak.

Further Reading:

· 2020 Top 100 Historical Site Attractions Brand Ranking

· Second Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units