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Leshan Giant Buddha. Photo By fannyss –

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts About Leshan Giant Buddha 

“The mountain is a Buddha and the Buddha is a mountain” famous saying. 

The Leshan Giant Buddha is a 71-meter (233 ft) tall stone statue that was constructed between 713 and 803 in China during the Tang dynasty. It is also referred to as the Lingyun Giant Buddha. 

It is carved out of the cliff walls of Mount Lingyun facing the sacred Mount E’mei, with the rivers flowing below his feet. The statue lies where of Minjiang River, Dadu River and Qingyi River merge in the southern part of Sichuan province near the city of Leshan.  

It is the largest and tallest stone Buddha statue in the world and by far the tallest pre-modern statue in the world. The site and the statue were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Mount Emei in 1996. 

Here are 10 facts about Leshan Giant Buddha. 

1. It is Made of Red Sandstone

Almost the entire statue is made of stone, the red sandstone, which is a good material for making sculptures.

This kind of stone is softer than granite and is easy to carve. The ears are the only exception. They are made of wood and skillfully finished with clay.    

2. Hai Tong Gouged Out His Eyes For the Statue’s Sake 

Detailed close-up shot of the statue’s face. Photo By Keirn –

A Chinese monk named Hai Tong came up with the idea to have a sculpture of Buddha Maitreya. He hoped that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters that killed people and wrecked shipping vessels over the years. 

During construction, some local officials tried to take money meant for the project. In protest, Hai Tong gouged out his eyes to show his sincerity and devotion to the cause, saying that the officials could have his eyeballs but not the money raised for the Buddha statue. 

Hai Tong meant business. Sadly, he passed away when the statue was only completed to the shoulders. Many years later, Hai Tong’s disciples continued working on the statue till its completion. It took more than 90 years the result being the work of three generations of craftsmen. 

3. The Buddha is Enormous  

Carved directly into the mountain cliff, its head reaches the mountain top, and its feet stand next to the river. There are 1,021 buns in the Buddha’s coiled hair, which were skillfully carved into the 10-meter-wide head. 

He has 7-meter-long ears which can hold two people and his 9-meter-wide instep is big enough for 100 people to sit on. Its 24-meter-wide shoulders are large enough for a basketball court. 

His mouth and each of his eyes have a width of 3.3 meters and a 5.6-meter-long nose. Heck! Even his smallest toenail can accommodate a seated person. 

4. It Has a Very Unique Design 

This Buddha Statue is preserved quite well. For a statue that is out in the open, there is no erosion and weathering thanks to the artfully designed draining system. 

Among the 18-layer spiral coils on the Buddha’s head, the 4th, 9th, and 18th layers have one cross drainage invisible from the distance. The drainage from the left side in front of the chest is connected to the back drainage of the right arm.  

Another unique and useful feature is the caves on the back side, on the side of the mountain, that connect the two ears.  These caves and drain works create scientific drainage, moisture-proofing, and ventilation system protecting the Buddha too. 

5. The Local Believe That The Giant Buddha Changes Its Moods 

There is an observation deck. Photo By jetsun –

The Leshan Giant Buddha has been both sad and happy as far as the locals are concerned. The Buddha has been said to show emotions about different moments that have occurred in history. 

He expressed these emotions by closing his eyes when he felt sad or showing happiness when he was satisfied with a particular situation. 

However, it has now been confirmed that this mysterious phenomenon was a result of bad weather and air pollution as well as Local people’s imagination. 

6. The Locals Respect The Buddha 

In the City of Leshan, the tallest building stands at 68 meters. All the architectural structures are lower than the Leshan Giant Buddha which is 71-meters tall.

It’s the local people’s way of showing respect for Buddha. 

7. The Buddha is Believed To Have Calmed the Waters 

Leshan Giant Buddha. Photo By lienyuan lee –

There have been no accident reports of wrecked ships or people dying after the Leshan Giant Buddha was completed. The locals have faith that the currents were indeed calmed by the statue, making the water safe for passing ships. 

Buddhists believe that the Maitreya Buddha Statue which represents a hopeful, loving, and peaceful future, repelled any and all negative forces and energy making the river safe. 

In actual sense, the change was because, during the massive construction, a lot of debris removed from the cliff was deposited into the river below. This in turn reduced the turbulent currents and calmed the river. 

8. Monks Visit The Site to Foster Spiritual Discipline

Buddhist Monks pilgrimage to the Leshan Giant Buddha and the sacred Mount E’mei which is one of the sacred Buddhist mountains in China. A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place and its purpose is to foster spiritual discipline or fulfill a vow. 

Pilgrimage also helps to express feelings of devotion and creates a relationship with the historical features or figures associated with the pilgrimage site. 

9. Go On a River Cruise to Get a Good View 

The best time to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha is a season of sunny days and beautiful scenery. The best months of the year to travel to China are April and October. 

The statue is indeed a giant one and is almost impossible to see all of it from one angle or even get it into one photo from the place it’s seated. 

Because of this, it is advisable to pay and go on a river cruise in a boat past the statue to get a good view plus it gives you a great panoramic view from the front river. It’s a leisurely way if you plan to avoid the crowd and enjoy the imposing full image of the Giant Buddha. 

Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and snacks if you decide to hike because a hiking trip is truly an adventurous and interesting way to explore. 

There will be plenty of walking during your visit to get to the top of the Giant Buddha on the narrow stairway. It’s also a good idea to bring a light jacket or sweater. 

10. There is a 13-story Lingbao Tower Building Standing Behind Buddha

The path on the side of the statue. Photo By Karalyn Monteil –

Other interests include the Lingyun Temple also called Dafo Temple, a very beautiful ancient Buddhist temple, and the 13-story Lingbao Tower standing behind it. 

There are sculptures, caves, and religious relics. Another feature is Lingyun Plank Road on the left cliff, you can visit Stele Forest, Museum of Hanya Tomb, Mahao Fishing Village, cross Haoshang Bridge (also known as Leshan Bridge), and visit Wuyou Temple on the west island.