Leshan Giant Buddha
The Leshan Giant Buddha is located beside Lingyun Temple on the east bank of the Minjiang River in Leshan City, Sichuan Province, China. Its precise address is 2435 Lingyun Road, Shizhong District, Leshan, with geographical coordinates at 29°32′ north latitude and 103°46′ east longitude. Carved during the Tang Dynasty (713 AD) and completed after 90 years of construction, this 71-meter-tall stone statue of Maitreya Buddha is the largest of its kind in the world. The seated Buddha, with its head level with the mountain and feet resting by the river, exhibits a harmonious posture and exemplifies the exceptional sculpting skills of the Tang Dynasty. The surrounding area features the Nine-Bend Plank Path, Lingyun Temple, Wuyou Temple, and a panoramic view of the confluence of three rivers (Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu).
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2435 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan, China
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Leshan Giant Buddha: A Colossal Masterpiece of Buddhist Art
The Leshan Giant Buddha is located beside Lingyun Temple on the east bank of the Minjiang River in Leshan City, Sichuan Province, China. Carved during the Tang Dynasty (713 AD) and completed after 90 years of construction, this 71-meter-tall stone statue of Maitreya Buddha is the largest of its kind in the world. The seated Buddha, with its head level with the mountain and feet resting by the river, exhibits a harmonious posture and exemplifies the exceptional sculpting skills of the Tang Dynasty. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a profound symbol of Buddhist devotion and artistic achievement.
What to See and Do
- View from the River: The most popular way to appreciate the sheer scale of the Buddha is by taking a boat cruise on the Minjiang River. This offers a full panoramic view of the entire statue, from head to toe, and allows for excellent photo opportunities.
- View from the Cliffside Walkway: For a closer look, you can descend a narrow, winding plank path carved into the cliff face (Nine-Bend Plank Path). This allows you to see the Buddha's head, shoulders, and eventually his feet up close. Be prepared for queues, especially during peak season.
- Lingyun Temple: Located at the top of the cliff, above the Buddha's head, Lingyun Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple with beautiful halls and courtyards. It offers a different perspective of the Buddha and the surrounding rivers.
- Wuyou Temple: Situated on Wuyou Mountain across the river, this temple offers another vantage point and a peaceful environment.
- Confluence of Three Rivers: Observe the confluence of the Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu rivers at the Buddha's feet, a strategic location that the Buddha was built to protect from turbulent waters.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather. Avoid major Chinese public holidays (e.g., National Day, May Day, Chinese New Year) as the site can be extremely crowded, leading to very long queues for the cliffside walkway.
How to Get There
Leshan City is accessible by high-speed train from Chengdu (about 1 hour). From Leshan Railway Station, you can take a bus or taxi to the Giant Buddha scenic area. Boat tours depart from the pier near the scenic area entrance.
Travel Tips
- Arrive early: To avoid the largest crowds, especially for the cliffside walkway, try to arrive as early as possible.
- Wear comfortable shoes: You'll be doing a lot of walking and climbing stairs.
- Sun protection: Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, especially for the boat trip or cliffside walk.
- Consider a combined tour: Many tours combine a visit to the Leshan Giant Buddha with Mount Emei.
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Chengdu –Stroll through the "Land of Abundance": Sip jasmine tea in Qing Dynasty courtyards of Kuanzhai Alleys, snap selfies with the giant panda sculpture atop IFS. Leshan –Gaze up at the 71-meter-tall Leshan Giant Buddha, carved into cliffs where three rivers converge. Chongqing –Dive into a 8D wonderland: Watch monorails pierce skyscrapers at Liziba, wander Hongya Cave’s cliffside stilted maze, and lose yourself in Huangjueping’s cyberpunk graffiti corridors.
Chengdu 4-Days Ancient and Modern Charm · Impression of Rongcheng
4 Days in Sichuan: A Symphony of Civilization and Wilderness This is a 5,000-year odyssey through China’s mystical southwest – Where pandas crunch bamboo in Dujiangyan’s semi-wild valleys, Where the Min River still obeys Li Bing’s 2,200-year-old hydraulic wisdom, Where Leshan’s cliff-carved Buddha gazes eternally at converging rivers,
Chengdu 4-Days Roaming Chengdu, Enjoying Time
Bronze Age Galaxy: Sanxingdui’s newly reunited artifacts rewrite China’s Bronze Age narrative with “alien” aesthetics. Liquid Wisdom: Dujiangyan’s levee-less irrigation system embodies Taoist harmony with nature. Panda Therapy: Watch semi-wild pandas master survival skills, while red pandas charm visitors on treetop trails. Buddha & Bazaar: Leshan’s cliff-carved devotion meets Jinli’s lantern-lit opera and chili-oil-drenched street food. Chengdu whispers its secret: History never dies – it simmers in hotpot broth, dances in tea-house shadows, and laughs through alleyway chatter. “From Bronze Mystics to Panda Realms – Sichuan, Where Every Stone Tells a Legend.”
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