Majestic Leshan Giant Buddha In Sichuan
Leshan Giant Buddha
The Leshan Giant Buddha, also known as the Lingyun Buddha, is located on the eastern bank of the Min River in Leshan City, Sichuan Province, beside Lingyun Temple, at the confluence of the Dadu River, Qiongyi River, and Min River. The statue depicts Maitreya Buddha seated and stands 71 meters tall, making it the largest rock-carved statue in China.
The construction of the Leshan Giant Buddha began in the first year of the Kaiyuan era (AD 713) during the Tang Dynasty and was completed in the 19th year of the Zhenyuan era (AD 803), taking about 90 years. The Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, which includes attractions like Lingyun Mountain, Wuyou Mountain, and the Giant Reclining Buddha, is classified as a national 5A-level tourist destination.
*Leshan Giant Buddha.
On April 1, 2019, after nearly six months of preparatory research and surveying for protective restoration of the damaged areas of the Leshan Giant Buddha, the site officially reopened. The scenic area’s winding paths and observation platforms were also reopened to the public.
Scenic Area Introduction⛰️
The Leshan Giant Buddha is located where the Min River, Qiongyi River, and Dadu River converge, across from Leshan City, about 160 kilometers north of Chengdu. It was carved from the cliff of Lingyun Mountain, and construction began in the first year of the Kaiyuan era (AD 713), taking over 90 years to complete. The Buddha is known for the phrase “the mountain is a Buddha, and the Buddha is a mountain,” making it the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world.
The statue’s posture, with both hands resting on its knees, is dignified and solemn. Ingenious drainage facilities are discreetly designed, showcasing remarkable engineering. The project was initiated by Master Haitong to reduce the river’s dangers and save sentient beings, gathering labor and resources for its construction. After Master Haitong passed away, the project faced interruptions until regional officials continued the work, completing it in AD 803.
The scenic area spans approximately 8 square kilometers, including not only the Giant Buddha but also Lingyun Mountain, the Mahao Rock Tomb, and Wuyou Mountain, and is part of the Emei Mountain scenic area, known as a popular tourist destination. Historically, there is a saying: “Ascend Emei in the morning, and Lingyun in the evening.”
*Leshan Giant Buddha Gate.
*Leshan Giant Buddha stairs.
Structure and Features of the Giant Buddha🗿
The Leshan Giant Buddha’s head is level with the mountain, its feet resting in the river, and its hands resting on its knees. The statue has a balanced physique and a solemn expression, carved from the mountain and sitting precariously above the river. The Buddha stands 71 meters tall, with a head height of 14.7 meters, a head width of 10 meters, 1,051 coiled hair buns, 6.7-meter-long ears, 5.6-meter-long nose and eyebrows, and a 3-meter-high neck, with shoulders measuring 24 meters wide.
Each finger is 8.3 meters long, and the length from the knees to the tops of the feet is 28 meters, with feet wide enough to seat over a hundred people. On either side of the Buddha, there are also two stone guardians, each over 16 meters tall, holding weapons and dressed in armor, forming a layout of “one Buddha and two kings.” In addition, there are hundreds to thousands of other carved figures, creating a vast collection of Buddhist stone art.
Structural Insights🐦🔥
The Leshan Giant Buddha’s design features an ingenious and unobtrusive drainage system that plays a vital role in its preservation. The Buddha’s head consists of 18 layers of coiled hair, each featuring horizontal drainage channels that are not easily visible. The ears have cavities connected to the cliff behind, creating a scientific drainage, moisture isolation, and ventilation system that has prevented erosion for centuries.
Visitors can reach the base of the Buddha from the left side via the Lingyun Path, providing an upward view of the statue that evokes a sense of awe. On the right side, there is the ancient Nine-Bend Path, which has been carved along the sheer cliff and is extremely steep, winding back and forth before reaching the top.
Here, visitors can observe the artistic craftsmanship of the Buddha’s head. The top of the Buddha’s head features 1,051 hair buns, which appear seamless from a distance but are actually crafted from individual stones.
*Leshan Giant Buddha Temple.
*Leshan Giant Buddha from a bird view.
Construction Details🎡
The intricate design of the Leshan Giant Buddha is underscored by the hidden wooden structures within its ears and nose, which are coated with plaster. The Buddha’s chest contains a sealed cavity that was discovered to hold waste iron, old lead sheets, and bricks, with the sealing stone being a remnant inscription from the Song Dynasty’s reconstruction of the Tian Ning Pavilion.
After the completion of the Giant Buddha, a wooden pavilion was built for protection from sun and rain. Many remnants of columns and holes on the Buddha’s knees, legs, arms, and feet indicate that the pavilion once existed. It was rebuilt during the Song Dynasty, referred to as the “Tian Ning Pavilion,” but was later destroyed. The remains of this pavilion’s inscription stone were moved to Haitong Cave for preservation, but it was unfortunately destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.
Stone Characteristics🧭
The top of the Buddha features 1,051 coiled hair buns, which were counted during maintenance in 1962. From a distance, these buns appear as a single unit with the head, but they are actually assembled from individual stones. The exposed base of each hair bun shows clear seams without any mortar bonding.
The surface of the coiled hair is coated with two layers of plaster, with the inner layer made of lime, each thickness varying between 5-15 millimeters. During repairs in 1991, remnants of three hair stones were found, two of which were relatively intact, measuring 78 centimeters in length, with a top of 31.5 x 31.5 centimeters and a base of 24 x 24 centimeters.
*Leshan Giant Buddha.
*Chinese Characteristic Le.
Wooden Ears👂
The right ear of the Buddha features an interior cavity approximately 25 centimeters deep. Workers found many broken pieces inside, which were confirmed to be decayed wood. This aligns with records from the Southern Song Dynasty stating, “the largest Buddha statue in the world, with both ears made of wood.” The interior reveals three segments of wood, confirming that the raised nose was also supported by wood and then covered with plaster.
Drainage System
The Leshan Giant Buddha boasts a cleverly designed drainage system. The two ears and the back of the head have an effective, concealed drainage system that plays a significant role in protecting the statue from rainwater erosion. A Qing Dynasty poet once wrote, “Water flows from the ancient Buddha’s hair.” Within the 18 layers of coiled hair, the 4th, 9th, and 18th layers each contain a horizontal drainage channel, which is constructed of plaster.
The collar and fabric folds also include drainage channels, with the chest having a water drainage channel leading to the left and connecting to another behind the right arm. Behind the ears, there are cavities that connect to one another; on the backside of the chest, there are two separate cavities. These drainage channels and cavities form a scientifically designed system for draining water, preventing moisture accumulation, and ensuring ventilation, thus protecting the Buddha from erosive weathering over the centuries.
Along the left side of the Buddha, the Lingyun Path leads directly to the base. From this vantage point, looking up at the Buddha creates a feeling of grandeur. On the right side is the Nine-Bend Ancient Path, which has been carved along the steep cliff, offering a winding ascent to the summit. Here, visitors can observe the artistry of the Buddha’s head. The coiled hair consists of 1,051 individual buns, which appear unified from a distance but are individually set in place.
Inside the right ear’s cavity, there is a deep opening of about 25 centimeters, and the ear spans 7 meters in length, constructed not from the original rock but supported by wooden pillars, then covered with plaster. Additionally, a cavity was found beneath the Buddha’s nostrils, revealing three sections of wood shaped like a character. This indicates that the prominent nose was also supported by wood and finished with plaster.
The chest of the Buddha contains a sealed cavity that was uncovered during maintenance, filled with waste iron, old lead sheets, and bricks. The sealing stone is a remnant from the Song Dynasty’s reconstruction of the Tian Ning Pavilion. After the completion of the Tang Dynasty Buddha, a wooden pavilion was built to protect it from sun and rain. Numerous remnants of columns and holes found on the Buddha’s knees, legs, arms, and feet serve as evidence of the pavilion’s existence.
The Song Dynasty rebuilt it and referred to it as the “Tian Ning Pavilion,” which later fell into disrepair. It is unclear when and why the remnant inscription stone ended up embedded in the Buddha’s chest. The repair team moved this stone to Haitong Cave for preservation, but it was regrettably destroyed in 1966.
*Leshan Giant Buddha statue.
*Leshan Giant Buddha statue.
Design Features🎠
The Leshan Giant Buddha features a cleverly designed, discreet drainage system that plays a crucial role in its preservation. Among the 18 layers of coiled hair on the Buddha’s head, horizontal drainage channels are located on the 4th, 9th, and 18th layers. Additionally, there are drainage channels on the chest that connect to channels on the left side and behind the right arm.
On the back of each ear, there are cavities that connect with one another, while the back of the chest has two separate openings that are not connected. These drainage channels and cavities form a scientifically designed system for draining water, moisture isolation, and ventilation, effectively preventing erosive weathering of the Buddha.
Visitors can directly access the base of the Buddha via the Lingyun Path along its left side. From this viewpoint, looking up at the statue evokes a sense of grandeur. On the right side of the seated figure is the ancient Nine-Bend Path, which has been carved along the steep cliff, making it extraordinarily steep and winding.
This path leads to the top, providing a vantage point to appreciate the artistry of the Buddha’s head. The top of the Buddha features 1,051 coiled hair buns, which appear as a single unit from a distance but are actually individually set in place with stones.
*Chinese Characteristic Fo.
Official Name
The term “Leshan Giant Buddha” is a common name used by later generations to refer to this colossal statue located in Leshan City, Sichuan Province. Built during the Tang Dynasty, the true official name of this statue has remained a mystery. However, various expert investigations have confirmed that the official name of the stone-carved statue known as the “Leshan Giant Buddha” should be “Giant Maitreya Statue of Lingyun Temple in Jiazhu.”