Leshan Giant Buddha
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is it anyway and how big is it?
Leshan Big Buddha is a 71-meter figure of Maitreya, carved right into the rock above the confluence of two rivers in Sichuan province (China). The head is almost 15 meters high, and the ear (7 meters) can easily accommodate two people.
Who carved it and when?
The work was started by the monk Hai Tun in 713, hoping that the Buddha would calm the stormy water that was sinking the boats. It was built in stages for about 90 years and finished only in 803, already after his death.
How to get there and how much is the entrance?
Local bus No. 13 goes to the statue from the city of Leshan. The ticket costs about 90 yuan and already includes the Uyou Temple and the Han Cave Tombs nearby; for a separate fee, you can view the Buddha from the water on a tourist boat.
When is the best time to go?
It is calmer and without crowds - on weekdays except holidays. During the Chinese New Year, pilgrims flock here for blessings, so the queues become massive, just like the Buddha himself.
Any interesting details besides the dimensions?
The statue hides a cunning drainage system of hidden gutters, which has been diverting water and saving the stone from erosion for over 1,200 years. And a local proverb says: the mountain is the Buddha, and the Buddha is the mountain, because the surrounding ridge resembles the figure of a sleeping giant.
