CHINA. Lehsan: Leshan, located at the confluence of the Min, Qingyi, and Dadu Rivers in the southwest of Sichuan’s basin is one of the world’s best landscapes in the Sichuan province of China. Known as Jiazhou in ancient times, Leshan was a significant town in the region, as well as a stronghold for the historic Silk Road in southern China. Nurtured by 3000 years of history, Leshan’s miraculous nature remains rich in beautiful mountains, rivers, history, and culture.
The province has a treasure of natural, cultural, and contemporary attractions, and is a destination that is full of exotic local gastronomic delights.
For a traveler, the Leshan offers multiple options like Mount Emei and the Mount Emei Scenic Area, Dongfeng Weir (The Thousand Buddha Cliff), Unique Mount Emei Drama Fantasy City, Moruo Drama Cultural and Creative Park, The Moruo Theatre, Leshan’s Shangzhongshun Cultural Arcade, Leshan’s Leshan Flavour Immersive Experience Center, etc. The added attraction is the Night Cruise on the Three Rivers.
Leshan, more famous for its beautiful scenery, is also known for its delicious foods. The distinctive style of Sichuan cuisine, and the unique spicy and fragrant flavours of its local delicacies and snacks have made the city a great foodie destination. Dishes like Qiaojiao beef, Bobo spicy chicken, Sweet skin duck, Spicy hot pot, Tofu jelly, and barbecue are very popular.
Mount Emei and the Mount Emei Scenic Area
Mount Emei is a well-known tourist attraction located within the territory of Emeishan City, at the confluence of the Min, Dadu, and Qingyi Rivers. With a land area of 154 km² and the tallest peak of 3099 m, Mount Emei is famous for its magnificent natural landscape and profound Buddhist culture, and is proclaimed as the site as ‘the best view below the heavens.’
Mount Emei, including the Mount Emei Scenic Area, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and was granted the AAAAA (5A) Tourist Attractions status by China – the highest possible rating. For thousands of years, Mount Emei has been a pilgrimage destination for monks and others seeking enlightenment, complete with singing in Sanskrit and the use of fragrant incense.
Throughout many Chinese dynasties, scholars have dedicated their work to Mount Emei. For instance, Li Bai, a poet from the Tang Dynasty, shared his praises in a poem, “There are many heavenly mountains in Shu State, but Mount Emei is insurmountably the best.” Guo Moruo, a contemporary Chinese master in literature, has continuously named Mount Emei ‘The Best Mountain in the World.’
At the Golden Summit, four wonders can be simultaneously appreciated: the sunrise, the sea of clouds, Buddha’s Light, and the Holy Light. The Buddhist culture is visibly reflected through the Golden Shrine, the Bronze Shrine of Huazang Temple, the Silver Shrine of Woyun nunnery, and the Ten-Direction Samantabhadra, a 48 m tall statue made with 600 tonnes of gilded bronze.
The ten directions of this statue refer to the ten practices and vows of Samantabhadra, as well as the ten possible directions (north, south, west, east, northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast, up, and down). This implies that all living beings, regardless of their location, are covered by Samantabhadra’s practices and vows.
Leshan Giant Buddha at the Mount Emei Scenic Area
Key highlights of the Mount Emei Scenic Area include the Leshan Giant Buddha, Lingyun Mountain, Wuyou Mountain, Giant Sleeping Buddha, and the Mahao Cave Tomb. At 71 meters tall, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the world’s largest and tallest stone Buddha statue. Depicted as a sitting Maitreya figure, it is located in the heart of the Giant Sleeping Buddha, implying that there is a Buddha in everyone’s heart.
The Leshan Giant Buddha has been a must-see for scholars and artists in China because of its wonderful natural scenery and great cultural value. Su Dongpo, a poet from the Song Dynasty, once wrote, “I have no aim for a higher position or desire to make the acquaintance of Han Chaozong, but wish to find a position in Jiazhou, and have a trip to Lingyun Mountain while carrying wine from time to time.”
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