Leshan Giant Buddha

Overview:
The mountain is a Buddha, and the Buddha is a mountain.
The Leshan Giant Buddha stands majestically at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi rivers, built into the mountain with a total height of about 71 meters. It is the world's largest stone carving of Maitreya Buddha and has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for both its natural and cultural significance.

Best Travel Season: March - November

Recommended Visiting Time: 3-4 hours

Opening Hours:
From April 1st to October 7th: 07:30-18:30;
From October 8th to March 31st: 08:00-17:30

History of the Leshan Giant Buddha:
Also known as the Lingyun Giant Buddha, the Leshan Giant Buddha was first built in the first year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (AD 713), with a history of about 1,300 years. At the time, the confluence of the three rivers was treacherous, and shipwrecks often occurred. To calm the waters and save all sentient beings, Monk Haitong decided to carve a giant Buddha image on the cliff to control the floods. The construction of the Leshan Giant Buddha was a monumental task, and due to funding shortages and the passing of Monk Haitong, the project was interrupted several times. However, with their superb skills and perseverance, the craftsmen completed the project after about 90 years, in the 19th year of the Zhenyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (803). For more than a thousand years, the Leshan Giant Buddha has witnessed the changing seasons and dynasties, yet it remains solemn and kind-hearted, steadfast and unwavering.

Construction Features of the Leshan Giant Buddha:

1.Impressive Scale:

The Leshan Giant Buddha's head is level with the mountain, with its feet on the river, hands resting on its knees. The Buddha has a well-proportioned body, a solemn expression, and is carved into the mountain, sitting perilously close to the river.
The Buddha stands 71 meters tall, with a head that measures 14.7 meters in height and 10 meters in width. It has 1,021 bunches of hair, each eyebrow measuring 5.5 meters in length, a mouth and eyes that are 3.3 meters long, a nose that is 5.6 meters long, ears that are 7 meters long and drop to the shoulders, shoulders that are 28 meters wide, a neck that is 3 meters high, fingers that are 8.3 meters long, and an instep that is 9 meters wide, capable of accommodating over a hundred people sitting around it.

2.Ingenious Design:

The Buddha features a cleverly designed and hidden drainage system. Drainage ditches and caves are cleverly incorporated into the Buddha's bunches of hair, clothing folds, and chest, forming a scientific drainage, moisture-proofing, and ventilation system. When rainwater wets the Buddha's body, these systems can quickly drain the water to the ground, effectively preventing rainwater from eroding and weathering the Buddha statue.

3.Superb Craftsmanship:

Every piece of clothing and every fold in the Buddha's carving is lifelike. The Buddha's face is full, with crescent-shaped eyebrows, compassionate eyes, and a slightly upturned mouth, giving it a solemn yet approachable appearance. The Buddha's robe adopts a double-hanging cassock style, with lotus flowers, squares, and other patterns painted with gold foil and red paint on the chest, reflecting the style of the Tang Dynasty.

Introduction to Other Attractions in the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area:
Apart from the main attraction of the Leshan Giant Buddha, there are many other classic attractions worth seeing:

1）Lingyun Temple:
Lingyun Temple is located on the top of Lingyun Mountain, very close to the head of the Giant Buddha (visitors will start hiking downhill and view the Leshan Giant Buddha from a close distance after passing through Lingyun Temple), so it is also known as the Giant Buddha Temple. Lingyun Temple was built in the early Tang Dynasty (618 ~ 907), with a history of over 1,400 years, predating the construction of the Giant Buddha. However, the current Lingyun Temple is not the original one, as it was rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty (1644 ~ 1912) after most of the temples were destroyed during the late Ming Dynasty (1368 ~ 1644) wars.

2）Zigzag Pathway:
The Zigzag Pathway is located on the cliff to the right of the Giant Buddha, spiraling down to the base of the Buddha. The pathway is very steep, with 217 stone steps, becoming narrower as you descend. The widest point is about 1.45 meters, and the narrowest point is about 0.6 meters, allowing only one person to pass through.

3）Giant Sleeping Buddha:
The Giant Sleeping Buddha is located at the confluence of the three rivers, with a full body length of over 4,000 meters and a north-south straight-line distance of about 1,300 meters. The sleeping Buddha lies on its back with a dignified posture and a clear outline, as if deeply asleep, presenting a serene and solemn appearance. The Buddha's head is formed by Wuyou Mountain, the body by Lingyun Mountain, and the raised foot by Guicheng Mountain. The best way to view the Giant Sleeping Buddha is by taking a sightseeing cruise.

4）Oriental Buddha Realm:
Located on the backside of the Leshan Giant Buddha, the Oriental Buddha Realm is also within the protected area of the World "Dual Heritage" and is a comprehensive tourist attraction integrating Buddhist art, historical culture, and natural scenery. The scenic area boasts the world's longest reclining Buddha, which is 170 meters long. (Friendly reminder: This attraction is not within the Leshan Giant Buddha scenic area and requires a separate ticket purchase.)

Ways to Visit the Leshan Giant Buddha:
There are mainly two ways to visit the Giant Buddha: by foot and by boat.

1）Walking Tour: If you want to view the Giant Buddha from a close distance, you can choose the walking route, which allows you to appreciate the Leshan Giant Buddha from various angles. Enter the scenic area and walk up to the top of Lingyun Mountain to reach the head of the Giant Buddha, then slowly descend along the Zigzag Pathway to the base of the Buddha, feeling its grandeur and solemnity from a close distance.

2）Boat Tour: If you have limited mobility, less physical strength, or limited time, then a boat tour is recommended. Taking a boat ride on the river to view the full view of the Giant Buddha and the Giant Sleeping Buddha from a distance is also a good choice.

3）Combination of Both: If you have plenty of time, you can combine these two methods so that you can not only view the Giant Buddha from a close distance but also appreciate its spectacular panoramic view.

Ticket Prices:
Mountain Tour Adult Ticket: 80 yuan/person;
River Cruise Adult Ticket: 70 yuan/person.

Special Tour Experience:

1)Night Tour of the Giant Buddha:
The huge Buddha statue glows under soft and colorful lighting, appearing solemn and sacred. You can choose to take a night cruise on the three rivers by boat or walk along the stone paths in the scenic area to experience the thousand-year-old Buddhist culture in the light and shadow, feeling an immersive experience vastly different from the daytime.

2)Ticket Prices:
Night Cruise on the Three Rivers Ticket: Dry Season Full-Price Ticket 138 yuan/person; Flood Season Full-Price Ticket 228 yuan/person
Lingyun Mountain Night Tour Ticket: Adult Ticket 80 yuan/person

3)Opening Hours:
From October 8th to March 31st: 19:00-22:00 (last entry at 21:00);
From April 1st to October 7th: 19:30-22:30 (last entry at 21:30)

Transportation to the Leshan Giant Buddha:
Leshan currently does not have an airport, and most tourists choose to travel to Leshan from Chengdu or Mount Emei.

Railway:
Traveling by train from Chengdu to Leshan is the most popular mode of transportation. There are over 20 bullet trains running between Chengdu and Leshan daily, with a journey time of about 50 minutes to 1 hour, providing great convenience for tourists.
The railway transportation between Mount Emei and Leshan is also convenient, with seven bullet trains running between the two places, taking only about 15 minutes.
After arriving at Leshan Railway Station, you can take a taxi to the Leshan Giant Buddha, with a ride time of about 30 minutes.

Highways:
It is approximately 150 kilometers from Chengdu to Leshan, and the driving time is roughly around 2 hours.

The distance between Mount Emei and Leshan is about 40 kilometers, and it only takes about 40 minutes to drive there.

Recommended Local Specialties:

 Leshan Bobo Chicken,Qiaojiao Beef, Leshan Sweet-Skin Duck, and Tofu Pudding.