Leshan Giant Buddha

The first place that is highly recommended for the tourists, especially thoses who are visting Sichuan for the first time, is the Leshan Giant Buddha.

Why?

Because its long history and specialty.

History:

Since the Giant Buddha lies at the confluence of three rivers, Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi River, these rivers were usually torrential and the turbulent water plagued the vessels,which is the main transportation style in old days, because the area is full of mountains and hills.

In order to calm the turbulent water, a Chinese monk named Haitong, started the construction program in 713. After it was carved out of the cliff, the waste solid and stones were poured into the rivers. Thus, the bottom of the river became smooth and the river became less torrential.

The amazing thing is all the construction was done by hunman beings with tradditional rough equipments.

Now, it is the largest Buddha in the world and by far it is the tallest pre-modern statue in the world.

Dimensions:

At 71 metres (233 feet) tall, the statue depicts a seated Maitreya Buddha with his hands resting on his knees.

His shoulders are 28 metres wide and his smallest toenail is large enough to easily accommodate a seated person.

 There is a local saying: "The mountain is a Buddha and the Buddha is a mountain".

This is partially because the mountain range in which the Leshan Giant Buddha is located is thought to be shaped like a slumbering Buddha when seen from the river, with the Leshan Giant Buddha as its heart. (Wikipedia)

What you cannot miss? See from the opposite side of the river.