LeShan, Mount Emei and its Giant Buddha

The warm air in the Sichuan city of LeShan meets a cool breeze emanating from Mount Emei which aids to the historic mountain’s calming nature. Known throughout China and the world as the location of the largest carved stone Buddha, Mount Emei has become one of the leading tourism destinations in the province.

As you ascend the stairs leading to the Buddha’s head you are guided by character carvings of ancient script. The path is speckled with cut out cool caves adorned by other prominent Buddhist figures. The area is surrounded by plush greenery that gives the air a sweet rich fragrance. The pleasant temperature is owed to the fact that the mountain over looks the peaceful waters of the Min River.

The river’s water was not always peaceful and vessel friendly. In 713 AD a Buddhist monk named Haithong began carving the idyllic figure into the mountain’s face in hopes to calm the tides of the river below easing the burden on shipping boats that must pass. When funding was threatened the pious monk gouged out his eyes and with pure dedication to his cause continued work until his death. The project was not completed until a jiedushi, or regional military governor, decided to sponsor the project. The Buddha’s construction was completed in 803, and because so much of the mountain had been carved away into the water below that the tides were changed and the blind monk’s vision became a reality as the area was transformed into an ideal passage way for ships.

Today hordes of people from all around the world come to visit the World Heritage Site. It is one sight that really is more amazing when the whole scale can be taken in by the naked eye. Only by standing on the mountains ledge near the Buddha’s hundred plus carved head buns can the grandeur be fully realized. Then scale down the mountain side on a narrow pathway of stone steps where each turn offers a new view of the peaceful giant. Standing at the base by one of the gargantuan feet it is almost impossible to see the top area of the head that you have just climbed down from. Other popular options are tour boats that offer an offshore view of the Buddha and the mountain that hugs his shoulders like a protecting shawl.

With a renewed vow from the government this mountain and its precious treasures will be restored and protected. Pollution and area elements have started to degrade the natural beauty of the statue but ultimately do little to take away from the mystique. As you trail out of the area the scenic path of jungle like foliage will leave you feeling as if you walked into and out of a story book where gardens are secret and inviting, rivers whisper of a turbulent past and mountains have faces that tell stories of those that came before.