China
Leshan Giant Buddha
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Welcome to China! The Leshan Giant Buddha is a colossal statue carved directly into a cliff, sitting calmly where three rivers meet, watching over boats for over a thousand years.
Why is it famous?
Carved out of a solid cliff face, the seated Buddha stands 233 feet tall — taller than a 20-story building.
It's the largest stone Buddha statue in the world, and its toenails alone are big enough for a person to sit on.
How was it built?
Monks began carving the statue in 713 AD, chiseling it straight out of the red sandstone cliff.
It took over 90 years and thousands of workers to finish — construction wasn't completed until 803 AD.
Amazing facts
The statue is 233 feet tall, roughly as tall as a 20-story building.
Its ears alone are over 20 feet long.
Quick facts
- The statue is 233 feet tall, roughly as tall as a 20-story building.
- Its ears alone are over 20 feet long.
- It sits where the Min, Dadu, and Qingyi rivers meet.
- A hidden drainage system carved inside the statue helps protect it from rain damage.