Leshan

The most renowned scenic attraction in Leshan City, the Leshan Giant Buddha is a statue of Maitreya Buddha in a sitting posture. It is the largest carved stone Buddha in the world at 71 meters high. Its shoulders measure 28 meters, fingers 3 meters long and ears 7 meters each.

The project was started by the Tang dynasty monk Hai Tong, who wanted to construct the Buddha to ensure the safety of the people who traveled on the often rough waters of the Min, Qingyi and Dadu Rivers in the area. He begged alms for 20 years and finally raised enough to commence the project in 713. It took workers and followers another 90 years to complete the project !

The Buddha is world-renowned not only for its size, but also for its particular beauty and unique architectural elements. For instance, there is a detailed drainage system to keep water from soaking into the core of the statue. Drainage channels are hidden throughout the statue, in the head, arms and clothes. Also remarkable are the 1,021 buns individually embedded into the Buddha's head.