Leshan Giant Buddha
China has a lot of Buddhas, and they can be found anywhere: in the temples, mountains, cliffs, and even inside caves. Buddhism is such as strong religious and spiritual philosophy in the country it is revered and celebrated across thousands of years. The Leshan Giant Buddha is no different.
Built during the Tang Dynasty, it is a special Maitreya Buddha that is carved in one of the cliffs within the scenic area. It directly faces Mount Emie, and below it is a river. It spans more than 70 meters in height. His shoulders are over 25 meters in width.
The fingers, meanwhile, measure 27 feet each with the instep is so huge it can accommodate around a hundred people simultaneously. The toenails, on the other hand, can hold one person of average weight. It features the Buddha in an erect sitting posture with the hands placed on top of his knees.
The Buddha’s head is equally massive, but what made it very interesting are the thousand-plus buns that were made to look like hair. These are actually drainage channels that help prevent the premature deterioration of the Buddha.
Location
The Leshan Giant Buddha, also known as Dafo, is found in Mount Emie Scenic Area, which is part of Leshan City. The city belongs to the province of Sichuan. It is around 120 kilometers far from the more progressive Chengdu.
History
The Leshan Giant Buddha was an idea of Haitong, a monk who lived within the area. The rivers, with the waters coming from the nearby provinces, had been plaguing shipping vessels as they were having a hard time traversing it because of turbulence. Haitong hoped to get the Buddha’s blessing, who can then eventually calmed the waters.
The initial construction began in 713 until it stopped because of lack of funds. It took over 50 years before someone funded it and the building continued until 803, until it was completed. By then, Haitong already passed away, and his disciples decided to continue with the project.
Interestingly, Haitong’s vision came true, but through a different manner. During the construction, plenty of cliff stones fell into the river, which then created a more stable current for safe passage.
General Condition
Over the last few years, the Leshan Giant Buddha is showing signs of wear and tear, as the color started to become more uneven and certain portions had already chipped off. A lot of factors are causing this, such as pollution, the increase of tourists in the area, changing weather, and developments of the nearby area.
The Giant Buddha used to have a structure made of wood but plated with gold. However, the Mongols destroyed it, leaving the Buddha more prone to weathering.
The good news is that the Chinese government along with UNESCO has decided to preserve it for posterity and for honoring the past.
Ways to Get There
One of the reasons for its popularity is the ease of transport. The most convenient way is to join a tour. A trip to the Buddha can take only a day, so it’s usually part of other itineraries including Chengdu or the rest of Leshan and Mount Emie.
Another easy method is to ride a ferry that traverses the river. It passes through right in front of the cliff and stays there for an hour so guests can enjoy taking pictures or disembark. There are stairs they can climb or stay into if they wish to rest and take photos. Note, however, that unless the ferry has been reserved for a tour, it waits until it’s full before it sails.
Buses are not a problem, as there are plenty of them going from and to Leshan. Many of them come from the nearby Chengdu. The total travel time, though, can be up to 4 hours, especially if it’s raining. After the bus ride, the passengers have to walk for about 10 minutes before they can reach the entrance of the attraction.
Since there is no airport in Leshan, travelers who come from far-flung Chinese cities or other countries can arrive at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.
Recommended Visiting Time
The opening hours can change depending on a number of factors. Usually, though, tourists can visit the Buddha between 9:00 a.m. and 4:50 p.m. The entrance fee is CNY 90; it doesn’t include the ferry or the bus trip.
Tips
Aside from the ferry, the tourists can also stay near the ears of the Buddha. There are also other things to see in the area such as a monument in honor of Haitong. There’s also a museum called Lingyun Temple Museum. It contains the items related to the Buddha, from its building to completion. Along the way, one can pass by beautiful gardens.
See Other Fun Attractions in Leshan
