Due to excessive numbers of tourists visiting the statue, there appeared several cracs in the abdomenn part of the Buddha image that is the reason the government had to close the site for the maintenance. The works are conducted under the supervision of the UNESCO experts.
The 71 metre statue is one of the most famous attractions of the Sichuan province of China. It dates back to the Tang Dynasty between 8th and 9th centuries. It is believed that the statue was constructed in order to calm the waters of the Min River and Dadu River. The statue is carved out of red sandstone and faces Mount Emei. Not only it is the tallest pre-modern stone Buddha statue in the world, it remains the tallest stone Buddha statue even of today.
Leshan can be easily reached by bus from Chengdu as well as Chongqing, Jiajiang, Kangding, Yibin or Zigong regionally or from more distant locations countrywide including Shanghai and Shenzhen. A high-speed train connects Leshan to Chengdu in 50 minutes.
Leshan Giant Buddha Under Repairs
News in Asia
The Sichuan local government has closed the Chengdu Leshan Giant Buddha for maintenance. The iconic Buddha image has been covered by construction nets since October and it still remains unclear when visitors are able to see the statue again. So plan accordingly.