Leshan (Sichuan)

The world's largest Buddha is in Leshan, Sichuan province in China. It is 71 meters high, each ear is 7 m long, each eye is 3 m, his shoulder is 28 m across and his middle finger is 8 m long.

It was started in AD 713 by a monk Hai Tong to calm floods and violent currents at the confluence of 3 rivers - Minjiang, Qingyi and Dadu. Carved into the cliff of Qixia Peak on Lingyun Mountain by the Minjiang. It took 90 years to complete. It is similar in size as the recently demolished Bamiyan Buddhas in Afganistan, by the Talibans.

In 1996 it was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List. In 2001 major repairs were made with completion in 2002. It took 10 months as there were hidden ingenious drainage system created by ancients to prevent erosion.

World's largest Buddha at 71 m high

Steps zigzaging up the cliff to the peak

Note the size of people against the fingers and foot

The island where the Grand Buddha is located looks like a sleeping Buddha.

The Grand Buddha is located at extreme right end or head of sleeping Buddha.

Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu (KK) is the capital of Sabah a state in Malaysia. It is famous for Mount Kinabalu with a peak at 4,100 metres. The climb is 8.7 km and it takes 2 days. Prior arrangements for accommodation at 3,350 metres, entrance fee, permit to climb and a guide are required.

Mountain left of Mt Kinabalu 

Mt Kinabalu covered by clouds

Poring Hot Springs is south east of Mt Kinabalu where shared open hot baths are available. There are no spa facilities. The only exciting item is the tree top walk comprising of 5 interconnecting swing bridges between trees. The plank on which you walk is rather narrow and swings if more than one person walks on it. If you bring your camera along it costs RM 35 each.

Waterfront downtown is where activities come alive in the evening. One side is vegetable/fruits market, while on the other is bbq seafood market. In front of which is the Filipino market where ethnic crafts are sold. Farther down is the port and fish auction place.

Stay in KK instead of Borneo One which is a huge complex with an equally big shopping mall because there are traffic jams during peak hours. It took me 2 jams to travel from KK to Borneo One in the evening. Taxis here charge according to meter. Bus in town do not travel out of town. Other buses are not allowed into town.

There are no fixed bus stands outside town. From Borneo One to KK, you stand by the road and hail the relevant bus to stop. Pay RM 1 and the bus takes you to the terminal where you transfer to a KK bus.