Leshan Giant Buddha

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Last Update : 2006-10-20 16:29:22: The Leshan Giant Buddha sits on the Lingyun Mountain of Leshan, 160 kilometers (99.4 miles) from Chengdu City. As the largest stone carving artwork in the world, it is a sitting statue of Maitreya Buddha, overlooking the beautiful confluence of the Minjiang, Daduhe, and Qingyi Rivers.
Last Update : 2006-10-20 16:29:31: Carving of this sculpture begun in the year 713 in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), required 90 years to complete. The work was initiated by the noted monk Hai Tong, who wanted to build a Buddha statue to retard blood flow by carving the stones and invoking the power of Buddha. Following twenty years' fund collection, the work was finally launched.
Last Update : 2006-10-20 16:29:39: The Leshan Giant Buddha is 71 meters (233 feet) high, reaching the peak of the hill. His head is 14.7 meters (48.2 feet) long and 10 meters (32.8) wide, with 7-meter-long (23-foot-long) ears each of which can hold two persons inside. The Lingyun Temple is situated not far from its right side. The insteps, 8.5 meters (27.9 feet) in width, provide visitors favorite places to absorb the view, to rest and to take photos. Another attractive place is the side of the Buddha's head. People can go there directly through a plank way along the cliff and appreciate the engraving art - by seeing his hair as worn in 1021 buns embedded with stones.

Admission Fee:	CNY 70 (Excluding CNY 50 for a boat trip)
Opening Hours:	09:00 to 16:50
Recommended Time for a Visit:	One day