Leshan Giant Buddha: reviews, price and practical tips

Visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha

The Leshan Giant Buddha is a towering statue carved directly into the cliffside of Mount Lungyun in the Sichuan province of China. This exceptional work was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.

History

Construction began in 713, during the Tang dynasty, under the guidance of the monk HǎiTōng. Legend has it that he hoped the presence of the Buddha at this river confluence would calm the treacherous currents that plagued local boatmen. According to the same lore, when funding for the project stalled, he gouged out his own eyes to demonstrate his sincerity and devotion to the cause. He reportedly spent the remainder of his life as a hermit in a nearby cave.

After he died, funding dried up and the project was abandoned. Nearly seven decades later, a local governor stepped in to finish the work. The statue was finally completed in 803, exactly 90 years after the first stone was cut.

The massive statue

The Leshan Giant Buddha stands 71 meters (233 feet) tall and measures 28 meters (92 feet) across the shoulders. The head alone is 14 meters (46 feet) high. Flanking the statue are two 8-meter (26-foot) tall stone warriors. Behind the Buddha, a staircase leads up the hillside to several historic pavilions.

The toll of time

This massive figure faces constant wear from its environment. Weathering and pollution have caused significant damage over the centuries. To mitigate this, local authorities have closed nearby factories and a coal-fired power plant, though the environmental impact persists.

Fortunately, support from the World Bank has helped fund ongoing conservation efforts, ensuring the Buddha receives the maintenance it requires.

The most enduring legacy is that the vast amount of stone debris created during the carving process was dumped into the river. This actually changed the water flow and made the river safer for navigation, fulfilling the monk's original goal.