Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha
Simplified Chinese乐山大佛
Traditional Chinese樂山大佛
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinLèshān Dàfó
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationLohk-sāan Daaih-faht

Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Tourists viewing Leshan Giant Buddha from ship
Interactive map of Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area
LocationSichuan, China
Part ofMount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area
CriteriaCultural and Natural: (iv)(vi)(x)
Reference779
Inscription1996 (20th Session)
Coordinates29°32′41″N 103°46′24″E / 29.54472°N 103.77333°E / 29.54472; 103.77333
Leshan Giant Buddha
Location of Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan
Leshan Giant Buddha
Leshan Giant Buddha (China)

The Leshan Giant Buddha is a 71-meter (233 ft) tall stone statue, built between 712 and 804 (during the Tang dynasty). It is carved out of a cliff face of Cretaceous red bed sandstones that lies at the confluence of the Min River and Dadu River in the southern part of Sichuan Province in China, near the city of Leshan. The stone sculpture faces Mount Emei, with the rivers flowing below its feet. It is the largest and tallest stone Buddha statue in the world and it is by far the tallest pre-modern statue in the world. It is over 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) from the Wuyou Temple.

The Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.