Bao’an Sleeping Buddha

　　Highlights    The Bao’an Sleeping Buddha is situated between kilometers 322 and 327 of the Tumu Highway. Over a stretch of ten li, the image of the reclining Buddha can be seen everywhere, with the best viewing spot at kilometer 324 on the Tumu Highway.      Introduction      Near Bao’an Village in Lafa Town, Jiaohe City, Jilin Province, there is a mountain called Haiqing Mountain. Its contours strikingly resemble those of a colossal sleeping Buddha, several kilometers in length, lying on its back with its head to the northwest and feet to the southeast, stretching between heaven and earth. The likeness is remarkably vivid. Like the Leshan Sleeping Buddha, it has clearly distinguishable facial features, giving it a profound and philosophical expression. Its thick hair is neatly and regularly curled; its eyes seem to faintly glow; its nose bridge is well-proportioned, with the tip slightly raised; a distinct lip line runs horizontally between the upper and lower lips, which are full and plump, the lower lip slightly overhanging the upper as if slightly parted. Most astonishing is the realistically indented chin. The entire formation is nothing short of miraculous craftsmanship, making it another of China’s remarkable natural wonders. It was listed as one of China’s Twelve Wonders in 1993.      Transportation       Take a long-distance bus from Jilin to Jiaohe and get off at kilometer 324 on the Tumu Highway.

　　 Jilin City, Jilin Province