Giant Buddha (Take 3)

The Leshan Giant Buddha isn’t just a statue—it’s a marvel of faith, legend, and ancient engineering. Carved over 1,200 years ago from a cliff where three powerful rivers meet, this 71-metre-tall Buddha gazes serenely across the water toward sacred Mount Emei. Legend says the statue was built to calm treacherous currents that claimed countless ships, and remarkably, the stone removed during construction actually changed the river’s flow, making it safer for travellers.

The story behind the Buddha is as dramatic as its size. The monk Haitong, who initiated the project, was so devoted that he reportedly gouged out his own eyes to keep corrupt officials from stealing the funds. The construction spanned 90 years and three generations, and the statue’s hidden drainage system—ingeniously carved into its hair and robes—has helped preserve it through centuries of storms and floods.

Stand at its feet and you’ll feel dwarfed by its sheer scale—each ear is 7 meters long, and a person could sit comfortably on a single toenail. Today, the Leshan Giant Buddha stands as the world’s largest stone Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inviting awe and wonder from all who visit.