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.