Leshan - video clip of the Giant Buddha by Mark Sukhija

By: Mark Sukhija

The Grand Buddha at Leshan is one of the highlights of our trip to China. Standing at 71 meters in height - it's the tallest statue of Buddha in the world after the Bamyan Buddhas were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.

Whats amazing, apart from the sheer scale of the statue, is that the statue was carved in Red Sandstone - which is very vulnerable to the elements. An extensive drainage system and that the statue is set in the cliff face (rather than on) it have helped to preseve this wonderful place of pilgrmage.

Several carvings dot the cliff face along the steps to the feet of Buddha - which is where he is most imposing.

From the boat it's possible to really appreciate the size and scale of the project undertaken 1,300 years ago.

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About Mark Sukhija

Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook