Leshan Giant Buddha

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by fannyss

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The Leshan Giant Buddha is a colossal stone statue located in the Sichuan Province of China. Carved out of a cliff face during the Tang Dynasty, this 71-meter-tall statue depicts Maitreya, a future Buddha in Buddhist eschatology. Construction began in 713 AD under the guidance of a monk named Hai Tong and took about 90 years to complete. The Buddha overlooks the confluence of three rivers: the Min River, the Qingyi River, and the Dadu River. It was intended to calm the turbulent waters that plagued passing boats. The statue is notable not only for its immense size but also for its intricate drainage system, which has helped to preserve the monument through the centuries.

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