🗿 Leshan Giant Buddha
China
About This Sacred Site
The Leshan Giant Buddha is a 71-meter-tall stone statue carved into a cliff face at the confluence of the Min, Dadu, and Qingyi rivers in Sichuan Province. It is the largest and tallest stone Buddha statue in the world. Construction began in 713 CE under the direction of the Chinese monk Haitong, who hoped that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters and protect the boatmen. The project took 90 years to complete and involved thousands of workers. A sophisticated internal drainage system hidden within the statue has helped preserve it for over 1,200 years.
Key Facts
- •At 71 meters tall, it is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world
- •Construction took 90 years, from 713 to 803 CE
- •A hidden drainage system inside the statue prevents erosion
- •The monk Haitong gouged out his own eyes to show his sincerity in fundraising for the project
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996
Location
Coordinates: 29.5443, 103.7734
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