Leshan: Home of the Giant Buddha​

Leshan and Suji: A Tale of Grandeur and Earthly Charm
-----------------⭐⭐
Nestled at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi Rivers in Sichuan Province, Leshan is a name that resonates with a unique power. For most of the world, it is synonymous with a single, awe-inspiring image: the Leshan Giant Buddha.

Yet, to know Leshan only through this stone colossus is to grasp only half its soul. A short journey, about 15 kilometers upstream along the serene Qingyi River, leads to the ancient town of Suji.

Together, they form a perfect diptych of Sichuan life—one panel depicting sublime, monumental scale, and the other preserving the intimate, flavorful rhythms of everyday existence.

-----------------⭐⭐
​​Leshan: The Guardian of the Rivers​​
-----------------⭐⭐
The story of Leshan is inextricably linked to the Great Buddha. Carved into the red sandstone cliff of Xijuo Peak in the 8th century during the Tang Dynasty, this 71-meter-tall statue is not merely a sculpture; it is an act of faith, engineering, and environmental intervention made stone.

The monk Hai Tong initiated the project with a devout belief that the Buddha’s presence would pacify the turbulent waters at the rivers’ meeting point, which frequently capsized boats.

To stand before him is an experience that transcends tourism. The journey itself is a pilgrimage. You can approach from the river, watching the colossal figure emerge gradually from the cliff face, his serene expression coming into focus long before your boat docks.

Alternatively, you can descend the narrow, winding path known as the "Nine-Turn Plank Walk" carved into the rock face.

This slow, single-file descent builds anticipation, with each turn revealing more of his immense shoulders, his gracefully draped robes, and finally, his peaceful countenance. His ears are seven meters long; his toenails are large enough to sit on.

His hands rest on his knees, and his downcast eyes seem to observe the confluence of the rivers with eternal patience. The scale is humbling, not just physically but temporally—a testament to a devotion that spanned three generations of craftsmen.

But Leshan’s spiritual gravity extends beyond the Buddha.

The city is the gateway to Mount Emei (Emeishan), one of Buddhism's four sacred mountains.

A journey to its Golden Summit, often above a sea of clouds, with the sunrise glinting off golden temples, offers a different, elevated form of tranquility.

Pilgrims share the paths with cheeky Tibetan macaques, and the air is filled with the scent of incense and the sound of temple bells.

-----------------⭐⭐
​​Suji: A Bridge to the Past​​
-----------------⭐⭐
After the awe-inspiring silence of the Great Buddha, the ancient town of Suji offers a vibrant, sensory counterpoint. With a history stretching back over 1,400 years, Suji was a crucial resting point on the ancient Tea-Horse Road.

While the Giant Buddha inspires quiet contemplation, Suji invites you to participate, to taste, and to immerse yourself in the lively flow of local life.

The heart of the town is its flagstone-paved main street, lined with well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty wooden structures with upturned eaves. The Qingyi River flows gently alongside, crossed by an iconic, humpbacked stone bridge.

This is not a museum; it is a living, breathing community.

The air is thick with the enticing aroma of local delicacies, the most famous of which is the Suji Old Courtyard Beef.

Here, food is the main attraction. You can follow your nose to a traditional courtyard restaurant where large pots simmer with a rich, spicy broth.

The beef is renowned for its tenderness and flavor, a secret guarded by generations. The dish is a symphony of Sichuanese flavors—the numbing heat of Sichuan peppercorns (huajiao), the fire of chilies, and a deep, aromatic complexity.

As you eat, the lively chatter of local families and the clatter of dishes create a soundtrack of pure, unvarnished joy.

Beyond the beef, the town offers a glimpse into slower-paced traditions. Tea houses are filled with elderly residents playing mahjong or simply watching the world go by. Small workshops sell handmade rice candy and other local snacks.

As evening falls, lanterns light up, casting a warm glow on the ancient streets and the river, making the town feel suspended in a peaceful, bygone era.

-----------------⭐⭐
​​0:00 Intro
8:21 Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area
31:16 Suji Ancient Town, Leshan
1:18:55 Downtown Leshan
-----------------⭐⭐

#china
#leshan
#travel