Leshan Attractions

This colossal stone statue of Maitreya is to be seen in Leshan. 71m/230ft high, it was carved out of the bare rock. A Buddhist monk by the name of Haitong was the first to work on it, from 713 until his death. After that a number of other monks and artists continued the mammoth task until it was eventually completed in 803. The figure is the largest sculpture of the Buddha to be found anywhere in the world.

35km/22mi east of Leshan, in Shawan Cheng, the parental home of the famous writer and politician Guo Moruo (1892-1978) is open to visitors.

On Mount Lingyunshan stands the Pagoda of the Souls (Lingbao Ta); it is 38m/125ft high and of the Song period (960-1279). Its 13 stories are bedecked with statues of the Buddha. From here there is a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.

The Rock Tombs to be found in the suburbs of Leshan are highly impressive. They date from the 1st to the 6th C and vary in depth between 6 and 90m/20 and 300ft.

The Wuyou Temple (Wuyou Si) was built on Mount Wuyoushan during the Tang period (618-907). Its treasures include three Buddha sculptures of gilded camphor wood.