Located 160 km south of Chengdu city, Sichuan, China, the more than 1,300-year-old Leshan Giant Buddha statue carved into Lingyun Mountain is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world.

Located 160 km south of Chengdu city, Sichuan, China, the more than 1,300-year-old Leshan Giant Buddha statue carved into Lingyun Mountain is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world.

The statue faces Mount Emei in the east of Leshan city.

The statue faces Mount Emei in the east of Leshan city.

Visitors to the Buddha statue will have to climb 250 steps to reach the area near the head of the statue, from here they can see the Dan River.

This is said to be the statue of Maitreya Buddha, a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha (founder of Buddhism), symbolizing wisdom and happiness.

Visitors to the Buddha statue will have to climb 250 steps to reach the area near the head of the statue, from here they can see the Dan River.

This is said to be the statue of Maitreya Buddha, a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha (founder of Buddhism), symbolizing wisdom and happiness.

The statue is 71 meters high, the head is 15 meters high, the shoulders are 28 meters wide, the eyebrows are 5.5 meters long, the nose is 6 meters high, the ears are 7 meters long and can hold two people inside.

The statue is 71 meters high, the head is 15 meters high, the shoulders are 28 meters wide, the eyebrows are 5.5 meters long, the nose is 6 meters high, the ears are 7 meters long and can hold two people inside.

The head of the statue.

The appeal of the Buddha statue lies not only in its size but also in its ingenious architecture.

The head of the statue.

The appeal of the Buddha statue lies not only in its size but also in its ingenious architecture.

Buddha statue during restoration in March 2019.

Although many small parts were damaged, the statue was surprisingly still intact, thanks to an underground drainage system that kept the interior parts dry.

Buddha statue during restoration in March 2019.

Although many small parts were damaged, the statue was surprisingly still intact, thanks to an underground drainage system that kept the interior parts dry.

The Buddha statue’s feet are 11m long and 8.5m wide, large enough for more than 100 people to sit.

The Buddha statue’s feet are 11m long and 8.5m wide, large enough for more than 100 people to sit.

Statue of monk Hai Thong.

Construction of the Leshan Great Buddha statue began in 713 during the Tang Dynasty, commanded by Chinese monk Hai Tong.

According to legend, some local government officials wanted to take the donation money to build a Buddha statue from Hai Thong, but this monk declared that he would rather go blind than lose money.

Statue of monk Hai Thong.

Construction of the Leshan Great Buddha statue began in 713 during the Tang Dynasty, commanded by Chinese monk Hai Tong.

According to legend, some local government officials wanted to take the donation money to build a Buddha statue from Hai Thong, but this monk declared that he would rather go blind than lose money.

Road to Hai Thong Cave.

When the treasury for the project ran out, the monk gouged out his eyes to show his sincerity and dedication to his work.

Since the construction of the Buddha statue, the fierce river water has become gentle.

Road to Hai Thong Cave.

When the treasury for the project ran out, the monk gouged out his eyes to show his sincerity and dedication to his work.

Since the construction of the Buddha statue, the fierce river water has become gentle.

Caves in the rocky mountains to the left of the statue.

In addition to the Leshan Giant Buddha, thousands of small Buddha statues were carved by people around this giant statue, forming a mountain sculpture museum of Buddhism.

Caves in the rocky mountains to the left of the statue.

In addition to the Leshan Giant Buddha, thousands of small Buddha statues were carved by people around this giant statue, forming a mountain sculpture museum of Buddhism.

The two dharma protectors are about 16 m high, about 6 m wide, wearing war robes, holding dharma weapons, guarding both sides of the Buddha statue.

The Nga My area includes the Leshan Giant Buddha statue, which was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1996. Currently, the Buddha statue is always one of the most attractive destinations in China.

The two dharma protectors are about 16 m high, about 6 m wide, wearing war robes, holding dharma weapons, guarding both sides of the Buddha statue.

The Nga My area includes the Leshan Giant Buddha statue, which was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1996. Currently, the Buddha statue is always one of the most attractive destinations in China.

Hong Hanh (According to People’s Daily, VCG, Wikipedia)