Leshan City
called Jiazhou in ancient time, is located in the southwest of Sichuan Basin, central Sichuan Province and south of Chengdu City with about 2 hours’ driving distance.
called Jiazhou in ancient time, is located in the southwest of Sichuan Basin, central Sichuan Province and south of Chengdu City with about 2 hours’ driving distance.
Leshan Giant Buddha
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Located at the joint of Minjiang River, Dadu River and Qingyi River, Leshan Giant Buddha is sitting facing Leshan City across the river and it’s the largest cliff rock carving Maitreya Buddha statue in the world. In ancient Tang Dynasty (8th century AD), the water at the joint of the three rivers was very fierce and boats were often capsized here. Thus, to slow down the water flow, Monk Haitong recruited craftsmen to build the Giant Buddha. It was first carved from AD 713, and when carving the shoulder of the Buddha, Haitong passed away. After the death of Haitong, the project was suspended for a long time. Few years later, the apprentice of Haitong continued to build the Giant Buddha with the donation of local government officer Zhangchou Jianqiong. The project was suspended again when the knees were just completed. Forty years later, the project was continued again, and after the efforts of three generations, the Giant Buddha was finally completed in AD 803. So, this huge project totally took about 90 years to complete. The Giant Buddha was carved from the Lingyun Mountain, with its head reaching to the mountain top and its feet standing next to the river. The total height is 71 meters; while the head is 14.7 meters high and 10 meters wide, ear is 7 meters long, nose is 5.6 meters long, mouth and eyes are 3.3 meters long, 28 meters tall between knees and insteps. There are 1021 spiral coils on the Buddha head, and they were all stones inlayed onto rocky head. Two over 16-meter tall Virudhakas stand by side on cliff to protect the Giant Buddha. There is a delicate and invisible drainage system which played an important role in protecting the Giant Buddha from corrosion. Among the 18 layers spiral coils on the Buddha head, the 4th layer, 9th layer and 18th layer have one cross drainage; the drainage from the left side in front of the chest is connecting to the back drainage of the right arm; there are cave one the back side (the side near the mountain) connecting the two ears. These caves and drainages have composed the scientific drainage, moisture proof and ventilation system.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Located at the joint of Minjiang River, Dadu River and Qingyi River, Leshan Giant Buddha is sitting facing Leshan City across the river and it’s the largest cliff rock carving Maitreya Buddha statue in the world. In ancient Tang Dynasty (8th century AD), the water at the joint of the three rivers was very fierce and boats were often capsized here. Thus, to slow down the water flow, Monk Haitong recruited craftsmen to build the Giant Buddha. It was first carved from AD 713, and when carving the shoulder of the Buddha, Haitong passed away. After the death of Haitong, the project was suspended for a long time. Few years later, the apprentice of Haitong continued to build the Giant Buddha with the donation of local government officer Zhangchou Jianqiong. The project was suspended again when the knees were just completed. Forty years later, the project was continued again, and after the efforts of three generations, the Giant Buddha was finally completed in AD 803. So, this huge project totally took about 90 years to complete. The Giant Buddha was carved from the Lingyun Mountain, with its head reaching to the mountain top and its feet standing next to the river. The total height is 71 meters; while the head is 14.7 meters high and 10 meters wide, ear is 7 meters long, nose is 5.6 meters long, mouth and eyes are 3.3 meters long, 28 meters tall between knees and insteps. There are 1021 spiral coils on the Buddha head, and they were all stones inlayed onto rocky head. Two over 16-meter tall Virudhakas stand by side on cliff to protect the Giant Buddha. There is a delicate and invisible drainage system which played an important role in protecting the Giant Buddha from corrosion. Among the 18 layers spiral coils on the Buddha head, the 4th layer, 9th layer and 18th layer have one cross drainage; the drainage from the left side in front of the chest is connecting to the back drainage of the right arm; there are cave one the back side (the side near the mountain) connecting the two ears. These caves and drainages have composed the scientific drainage, moisture proof and ventilation system.
Lingyun Temple 凌云寺
Lingyun Temple is located at top of Lingyun Mountain, very close the head of Giant Buddha. Built from early Tang Dynasty (618 ~ 907), Lingyun Temple has a history over 1400 years and it’s built before the construction of the Giant Buddha. However, the present Lingyun Temple is not the original temple for it had been rebuilt in Qing Dynasty (1644 ~ 1912) after most of the temple was destructed in late Ming Dynasty (1368 ~ 1644) in a war. The whole temple is composed of Tianwang Hall, Daxiong Hall and Depository of Buddhist Sutras, which form a quadrangle courtyard. Travelers will climb over 10 minutes from the North Gate to get to Lingyun Temple. Enjoy serenity and Buddhist culture in this beautiful ancient temple before lining up for hiking.
Lingyun Temple is located at top of Lingyun Mountain, very close the head of Giant Buddha. Built from early Tang Dynasty (618 ~ 907), Lingyun Temple has a history over 1400 years and it’s built before the construction of the Giant Buddha. However, the present Lingyun Temple is not the original temple for it had been rebuilt in Qing Dynasty (1644 ~ 1912) after most of the temple was destructed in late Ming Dynasty (1368 ~ 1644) in a war. The whole temple is composed of Tianwang Hall, Daxiong Hall and Depository of Buddhist Sutras, which form a quadrangle courtyard. Travelers will climb over 10 minutes from the North Gate to get to Lingyun Temple. Enjoy serenity and Buddhist culture in this beautiful ancient temple before lining up for hiking.
Wuyou Temple 乌尤寺
Wuyou Temple is located on Wuyou Mountain and was built in Tang Dyansty. After getting down to the Buddha feet through Nine Bends Plank Road, keep walking to the left of the Giant Buddha along the 500-meter long Lingyun Plank Road (凌云栈道) and travelers can reach to Wuyou Temple in the west. The temple has seven halls, which are surrounded by bamboo and wintersweet. source: www.chinadiscovery.com
Wuyou Temple is located on Wuyou Mountain and was built in Tang Dyansty. After getting down to the Buddha feet through Nine Bends Plank Road, keep walking to the left of the Giant Buddha along the 500-meter long Lingyun Plank Road (凌云栈道) and travelers can reach to Wuyou Temple in the west. The temple has seven halls, which are surrounded by bamboo and wintersweet. source: www.chinadiscovery.com
Mahao Cliff Tomb