Great Buddha at Lingshan

» Wuxi, Jiang Su

Great Buddha at Lingshan Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The largest statue of the Buddha anywhere in the world, this bronze colossus stands 88 meters tall, its lotus flower pedestal brings the entire structure to over 100 meters. The statue was built only several years ago, but has already become a major tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over China.

How it got its name

With Lingshan Mountain at its backdrop, the Great Buddha is named by the famous Great Monk Xuanzang in Tang Dynasty, this is how the Great Buddha in Ling Shan got its name.

What to see

Great Buddha

The Great Buddha is pleasing to the eyes and very kind, widely looking at all the living creatures. On the left side, the Shiwuwei seal is supposed to reduce suffering in the world while the Yuyuan seal on the right delivers happiness. The character on the Buddha's chest represents solemnity and virtue.

The whole Buddha is not only rounded and strong, but also solemn and auspicious, created very carefully and vividly, appears the image of Buddha's mercy. When you stand before the Great Buddha, you cannot help praising how prefect the Chinese Buddhist work it is!

Bronze Pillar

It topped with a huge lotus bud. The shaft of the column is worked into a wild array of sculptures of looming Buddhist guardian gods, lions' heads, and auspicious symbols, while bronze dragons and other mythological animals crouch in a reflecting pool, all with the great statue of the Buddha looming in the distance. As impressive as this is, four times a day its is transformed into an extravagant celebration of the birth of the Buddha.

Bronze Leaves

The huge bronze leaves of the lotus bud slowly open to reveal a statue of the baby Buddha, who slowly rotates in a complete circle, while the statues of dragons become fountains, spraying jets of water from their mouths over the open lotus flower.

The Lotus Flower

The lotus flower is a traditional symbol of Buddhism, since it is white a pure despite growing from the mud, just like humans can reach enlightenment despite the troubles of the world.

Bronze Palm

Midway to the Buddha sits an enormous bronze palm, almost 12 meters tall, identical to the palm of the statue itself. The largest bronze hand in China, during the building of the statue some workers left the hand sitting alongside the construction site while they worked on other parts of the statue. However, the attention of local people was soon drawn to the massive palm, and people began burning incense to it and rubbing it to show their devotion to the Buddha. Seeing its popularity, the administrators left the palm in place, and ordered a new one to be cast for the statue. The huge hand is still very popular - supposedly walking around it while repeated slapping the bronze brings good luck!

Bronze Statue

Next to the palm is a large bronze statue of a hugely obese Buddha with a wide smile - Maitreya, the Buddha of the future. Dozens of babies crawl over his recumbent form, pulling at his earlobes, poking his navel, and otherwise being naughty. The plump Buddha and the babies are a traditional expression of people's wishes for a happy and prosperous future.

When to visit

Opening Hours: 7:30a.m. - 5:30p.m.

Attractions around » Wuxi, Jiang Su

Natural Scene

• Lake Taihu

Historical Site

• Great Buddha at Lingshan

Cultural Site

• Yuantouzhu
• Liyuan Garden

Great Buddha at Lingshan Highlights

Temple & Monastery in Great China

• Shaolin Temple
• Temple of Heaven
• Jokhang Temple
• Confucius Temple
• A-Ma Temple
• Palkhor Monastery
• Sera Temple
• Drepung Temple
• Rongbuk Temple
• Songzanlin Temple
• Id Kah Mosque
• Lingyin Temple
• Labrang Temple
• Great Buddha at Lingshan
• Golden Temple
• Yuantong Temple
• Tashilhunpo Temple
• Sakya Temple
• Temple of Universal Peace
• Putuo Zongcheng Temple
• Eight Outer Temples
• Famen Temple
• Great Mosque
• Nanputuo Temple
• Jade Buddha Temple
• Town God Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Lama Temple
• White Cloud Temple
• Tar Temple
• Santa Sophia Church
• 108 Dagobas
• Memorial Temple of Lord Bao
• White Horse Temple
• Qiongzhu Temple
• Hanging Temple
• Hanshan Temple
• Gaomiao Temple at Zhongwei
• Giant Buddha Temple
• Xiangguo Temple
• Yufeng Lamastery
• Chongshansi Temple
• Dule Temple
• Anyuan Temple
• White Horse Pagoda
• Trandruk Temple
• Dai Temple
• Pagoda of Songyue Temple
• Ramoche Temple
• Guanlin Temple
• Huayan Temple
• Kaiyuan Temple
• Samye Temple
• Jinci Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Ganden Temple
• Dabeiyuan Temple
• Wuhou Memorial Temple
• Shanhua Temple
• Ruins of St. Paul's
• Temple of Universal Happiness
• Great Bell Temple
• Qingjing Mosque
• Hongfu Temple
• Dazhao Temple
• Five Pagoda Temple
• Baoguo Temple
• Wudangzhao Temple
• Shalu Temple
• Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center
• Longhua Temple
• Jile Temple
• Chengtiansi Pagoda
• Nanguan Muslim Mosque
• Qingyanggong Temple
• Ba Xian An Temple
• Tianhou Palace
• Guiyuan Temple
• Linggu Temple
• Najiahu Mosque at Yongning
• Haibao Pagoda
• Xilitu Zhao
• Dongguan Mosque
• Jiegu Temple

Great Buddha at Lingshan FAQ & Travelers's Tips