Leshan Giant Buddha(Lingyun Buddha)

The Leshan Giant Buddha, also known as the Lingyun Giant Buddha, is situated on the cliff of Qiluan Peak on Lingyun Mountain at the confluence of the Min River, Qingyi River, and Dadu River in Leshan, Sichuan. It is a colossal seated stone statue of Maitreya carved during the Tang Dynasty, standing approx. 70 m tall, with a single instep spacious enough to accommodate over a hundred people. Legend has it that the turbulent waters at the confluence once frequently capsized passing boats. To calm the currents, the monk Haitong of Lingyun Temple initiated the carving of the Buddha. Over several generations, craftsmen continued the construction, which took approx. ninety years to complete. On the cliff to the right of the Buddha, an inscription from the Tang Dynasty titled "Jiazhou Lingyun Temple Great Maitreya Stone Statue" remains to this day, revealing its original name—the Great Maitreya Stone Statue of Jiazhou Lingyun Temple.

The common route to visit the giant Buddha is to first arrive at Lingyun Temple beside the Buddha's head, then descend along the winding Jiuzhaigou plank road built against the cliff. View the Buddha's spiral hair buns and robe folds up close, and reach the platform at the Buddha's feet to look up at the full figure. Only then can one truly appreciate the grandeur of "a mountain being a Buddha, and a Buddha being a mountain." Lingyun Temple has continuous incense offerings, and many travelers also join their palms here to pray for blessings.

For a different perspective, take a boat cruise or view from the riverside of Leshan ancient city: the continuous mountain outlines of Wuyou Mountain, Lingyun Mountain, and Guicheng Mountain resemble a giant reclining Buddha facing upward, with the grand Buddha seated precisely at its chest—creating the marvel of "Buddha within Buddha." The river view also captures the grand Buddha's full profile alongside the scenery of three rivers, making it especially effortless for travelers with limited stamina or those seeking panoramic shots.