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Located in Sichuan Province, Emei Mountain’s history has been recorded for over 2,000 years, during which time a rich Buddhist cultural heritage has accumulated. Atop the Golden Summit, which is 3,099 meters high, one can enjoy the sunrise, seas of clouds, the Buddha’s halo and the sunset glow.
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| Wannian Temple |
Within the beamless hall of the Wannian Temple, a hall with outstanding architectural features, towers a bronze statue of Samantabhadra. Cast in 980 in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), it is 7.85 meters high, weighs 62 tons and is one of China’s important cultural relics. The Baoguo Temple is the site of flourishing Buddhist activities. The Fuhu Temple, the largest temple on the mountain, is surrounded by ancient nanmu trees.
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| Visitors at a toe of the Giant Buddha of Leshan,Sichuan Province |
The Leshan Giant Buddha scenic area, which covers 2.5 square kilometers, is famous for its Giant Buddha statue, said to be the biggest Buddha statue in the world. The way in which the cultural features have been integrated with the natural scenery is considered to be a precious legacy. The Giant Buddha statue, carved on the mountain, stands 71 m high, with its back against Jiuding Mountain and facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers. There are more than 90 stone carvings and Buddhist shrines on both sides of the Giant Buddha.
Other cultural artifacts include the Lidui (a large rock cut in the center of the river for irrigation purposes by Li Bing of the Qin Dynasty), Wuyou Mountain, Han tombs, Buddha statues of the Tang and Song Dynasties, and pagodas, temples and architectural complexes of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).
Biologically, the area hosts some 5,000 plant species and 2,300 animal species. There are a number of threatened species, some being endemic to Emei Mountain.
Cultural Heritage
With a large number of cultural and historic relics, Emei Mountain and the Leshan Giant Buddha scenic area leave rich historic and monumental legacy. They are common heritage of the mankind.
Natural Heritage
Emei Mountain is blessed with a world-acclaimed natural heritage. Below are details of selected items of landscape, geomorphic features, fauna and flora.
(Source: chinaculture.org)
