- Visit Chengdu – Home to the Giant Pandas
- Visit Chengdu – The Majestic Leshan Giant Buddha
- Visit Chengdu – Top 3 attractions in Chengdu
- Visit Guilin – Reed Flute Cave
- Visit Guilin – Plan Li River Cruise
- Day trip From Shanghai – Zhujiajiao Water Town
- Money Can buy Happiness at Shanghai Bund and Nanjing Road
- Visit Shanghai – Yuyuan Garden and Jade Buddha Temple
- Shanghai Travel : Top 5 Attractions in Shanghai
- Visit Zhangjiajie – How to Visit Tianmen Mountain
- Explore Zhangjiajie – How to Visit Baofeng Lake
- Visit Zhangjiajie – Avatar Mountains, Bailong Elevator, Golden Whip Stream
- Visit The Great Wall of China – Greatest Feat in human History
- Top 10 Must do things in Beijing – Travel China
- Travel China – Top 5 Attractions in China
Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.Jennifer Lee
After a much enthralling experience with the Pandas we were on our way to view the Leshan Giant Buddha. Leshan Giant Buddha is a huge statue which is carved into the side of Mount Lingyun. The Giant Buddha is about 71 meters high and 24 meters wide. The head is 14.7 meters long and 10 meters wide with total 1021 buns of hair on it, and his toe nail can accommodate a seated person. Each eyebrow is 18 feet long. The instep, which is 8.5 meters wide, can accommodate 100 people. The toe is large enough to accommodate a dinner table. Taller by 17 meters than the standing Buddha in Afghanistan, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the tallest and largest Buddha in the world. A local saying says, “The Mountain is a Buddha, the Buddha is a Mountain“.
The drive gave us a good insight into how China is magnifying itself as a global superpower. Amazing roads and buildings all along the 2.5 hours drive was a symbol of China’s stamp on world Authority. Maybe it’s more about Communism v/s Capitalism – though let’s not get into that. Mark, our driver had a pleasant surprise for us playing Bollywood numbers and had an acute knowledge about Bollywood movies as well.
Chengdu isn’t complete without doing the 3 must-do things while here – Click here
Finally, we reached Leshan and had a meal of Chicken fried rice and Pork noodles. You have two options for seeing the Buddha – one is to hike the Mountain to get a closer view or take a river cruise on Min River to take in the holistic view. We opted for the latter. The boat ride costs 15 Yuan and lasts only 20 mins with just 8-10 mins in front of the Buddha. Also there is a speed boat option for 75RMB- which I wouldn’t recommend.
The statue depicts a seated Maitreya Buddha with his hands resting on his knees. Maitreya is the future Buddha, who will appear to preach the dharma when the teachings of Gautama Buddha have faded away.
Several drainage passages are hidden in the Buddha’s hair, collar, chest, and holes in the back of his ears and chest to prevent the Buddha from serious erosion and weathering. He has been lovingly maintained on a regular basis throughout his 1,200-year history; however moss does grow on the statue.
Mark shared with us that there are cracks growing near the head of the Buddha due to water seepage and in the future they might build a Canopy on top of its head. Whatever the case might be nothing will diminish the magnificence of this huge statue.
We chose to stroll along the bank of the river to meet some local fishermen who were more than willing for me to have a little throw in of the Fishing reel –Though I dint catch anything! (as usual).
On our way back to Chengdu, we stopped for a break at the Tianfu Tea Plantations – more like a hill station. The drive further back into Chengdu was painful due to the depressing slow traffic!
Relive our Chengdu journey here –
Chengdu isn’t complete without doing the 3 must-do things while here – Click here.
If you have any questions or feedback please leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you at the very earliest.
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.