Leshan Giant Buddha - World's Largest Pre-modern Stone Buddha Statue

The Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world. It is located to the east of Leshan City in Sichuan Province, China. The stone sculpture faces Mount Emei, with the rivers flowing below its feet. It was built in 713 AD by a monk named Hai Tong and the construction was completed by his disciples in 803 AD.

The entire statue is made of stone, except for the ears which were crafted out of wood, then affixed, and covered with clay. With a height of 71 meter, it is the tallest pre-modern carved statue in the world. The head is 15 meters high, its shoulders are 28 meters wide, and its smallest toenail can accommodate a seated person. The hair is composed of 1,021 spiraled curls embedded in his head.

The Leshan Giant Buddha has a special drainage system, so it can be well-preserved. Several drainage passages are hidden in the Buddha's hair, collar, chest, and holes in the back of his ears and chest, preventing the statue from serious erosion and weathering. It is now part of UNESCO world heritage sites and annually attracts millions of visitors.