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The Leshan
Giant Buddha

The world's largest stone Buddha — carved from a mountain, watching over three rivers

乐山大佛 · 世界最大石刻佛像 · 世界文化遗产
71mHEIGHT
803 CECOMPLETED
1,200+YEARS OLD
UNESCOWORLD HERITAGE
Leshan Giant Buddha cliff face Sichuan river Buddhist temple near Leshan
大GREAT
Sacred Destination · 圣地介绍

Carved from a Cliff,
Taller Than Time

Construction began in 713 CE under the supervision of the monk Haitong, who believed a Buddha carved into the cliff face would calm the turbulent waters where the Min, Dadu and Qingyi rivers converge — a deadly crossing point for boatmen. It took 90 years and three generations of craftsmen to complete.

Today the Leshan Giant Buddha (乐山大佛) stands 71 metres tall — taller than the Statue of Liberty. Its toes alone are large enough for twenty people to stand on. It has sat in this posture of meditation, hands on knees, watching the river, for over 1,200 years.

"I have stood at the feet of the Leshan Buddha and looked up, and I understood what the word 'humbling' means for the first time." — Inner China guest, Australia
71m Tall Monk Haitong 713 CE UNESCO 1996 170km from Chengdu
The Scale · 震撼体量

Numbers That Don't
Feel Real Until You're There

71m TOTAL HEIGHT

Taller than the Statue of Liberty (93m with pedestal). The head alone is 14.7 metres — roughly the height of a 5-storey building.

28m SHOULDER WIDTH

Each ear is 7 metres long. The nose is 5.6 metres. Each eye is 3.3 metres wide. The face is the size of a tennis court.

8.5m FOOT LENGTH

The instep of each foot is large enough to seat 20 people. In the feet are carved hundreds of small Buddha figures visible up close.

90yrs CONSTRUCTION

Three generations of craftsmen worked the cliff from 713 to 803 CE. The monk Haitong famously gouged out his own eyes to prove devotion when funds were threatened.

History & Story · 历史传说

The Story Behind
the Great Buddha

713 CE · Foundation

The Monk Haitong

The Buddhist monk Haitong began the project to calm the dangerous river confluence that had killed countless boatmen. When local officials attempted to extort construction funds, he is said to have gouged out his own eyes and offered them on a platter — a act of devotion that shamed the officials into withdrawing.

803 CE · Completion

90 Years of Carving

Haitong died before the project was finished. It was completed by two Tang Dynasty governors — Wei Gao and Zhang Chou — over nearly a century of work. The excavated stone that was removed was thrown into the river, actually reshaping the dangerous currents below.

Ancient · The System

An Engineering Marvel

Hidden within the Buddha's hair, body and robe is an elaborate drainage system of channels and gutters designed to prevent erosion. This ancient engineering — invisible to casual visitors — has preserved the statue through 1,200 years of Sichuan rain and river flood.

1996 · Recognition

UNESCO World Heritage

The Leshan Giant Buddha was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List jointly with Mount Emei in 1996. Together they represent one of the most significant Buddhist cultural sites in the world — and one of the most visited, drawing millions of pilgrims and tourists annually.

Your Visit · 参访体验

Three Ways to
Meet the Buddha

The choice of how you approach changes the experience fundamentally. Inner China's programme includes all three, in sequence.

From the River · 江面仰望

By Boat — The First View

  • Approach from the Min River on a traditional wooden boat
  • The Buddha is revealed gradually from the waterline — starting with the feet
  • As you pull back, the full 71-metre figure rises into view — this moment stops conversation
  • Best photography angle: from mid-river, facing east at morning light
From the Cliff Path · 凌云栈道

Descent Steps — Close Encounter

  • Ancient stone steps carved into the cliff face alongside the Buddha
  • Pass the head at eye level, then descend beside the body to the feet
  • Stand on the foot platform with 20 other visitors — the scale only registers here
  • Return via the other side of the cliff through ancient temple corridors
At the Summit · 凌云寺

Lingyu Temple — The Face

  • Lingyu Temple sits directly above the Buddha's head at cliff level
  • Look straight down at the head from the railing — the face is vast, close, and serene
  • The temple's monks maintain daily ritual — incense is always burning
  • Early morning: fewer visitors, mist on the river, bells from the monastery
The Complete Experience · 完整体验

Inner China Programme

  • Private boat charter for undisturbed river viewing
  • Early entry before public gates open — cliff path without crowds
  • Introduction to Lingyu Temple's resident monks
  • Context briefing: history, Buddhist iconography, Haitong's story
  • Combined with Emei Mountain for a 2-day pilgrimage programme
Plan Your Visit · 实用信息

Everything You Need
to Know

  • 📍

    Location

    Leshan City, Sichuan Province. 170km south of Chengdu, approx. 2.5 hours by car.

  • 🚌

    Getting There

    Inner China provides private transfer. Frequently combined with an Emei Mountain overnight as a 2-day programme.

  • 🎟️

    Admission

    Site entrance: ¥90 RMB. Boat tour: ¥70. All included in Inner China programmes.

  • ⏰

    Opening Hours

    7:30 AM – 7:00 PM daily. Inner China guests enter at 7:30 before crowds arrive. Summer: open until 8:30 PM.

  • 📸

    Photography

    The boat view at morning light (8:00–9:00 AM) and the river-level cliff path offer the best shots. The top-down view from Lingyu Temple is uniquely dramatic.

  • 🏛️

    Nearby

    Lingyu Temple (凌云寺) and Wuyou Temple (乌尤寺) are both worth visiting. Emei Mountain is 30 minutes away and naturally combined.

Inner China Insider Tips

  • The cliff-side staircase descent has a long queue after 9:30 AM — enter early and descend when it opens
  • View from the boat first, then approach on foot — knowing the full scale before seeing it up close sharpens the impact
  • Bring binoculars if you want to study the carved figures in the Buddha's robe and feet from the boat
  • The drainage system in the hair and ears is visible at close range on the cliff path — remarkable engineering worth noting
  • Morning mist on the river (October–March) creates an otherworldly atmosphere for the boat approach
  • Monks from Lingyu Temple offer incense for those wishing to make offerings — a small gesture that is respected by the community
Begin Your Journey · 启程

Stand Before the
Giant Buddha

The Leshan Giant Buddha is included in Inner China's 15-day programme and available as a day trip add-on. Pair it with Emei Mountain for an unforgettable two-day Buddhist pilgrimage through Sichuan.

Enquire Now Emei Mountain →
青城Qingcheng Mtn 峨眉Emei Mountain 宽窄Kuanzhai Alley 三星堆Sanxingdui