Saturday 30/03/2013 & Sunday 31/03/2013 (Easter day) - LE SHAN & EMEISHAN.
Dafo, Le Shan (UNESCO World Heritage site).
The enormous Dafo (Great Buddha) is carved into the red sandstone cliff overlooking the treacherous confluence of the Min, Dadu and and Qingyi rivers below.
In 713 a monk, Haitong, decided to safeguard passing boats by creating a protective icon in the cliffs. The monk lived in a cave behind Dafo's head.
The project was completed in 803, after his death, and after the regional governor donated his own salary to finish off the legs and feet.
Several drainage passages hidden in Dafo's hair, collar, chest, and holes in the back of his ears prevent the Buddha from serious erosion
Dafo is the tallest stone Buddha in the world.
The enormous Dafo (Great Buddha) is carved into the red sandstone cliff overlooking the treacherous confluence of the Min, Dadu and and Qingyi rivers below.
In 713 a monk, Haitong, decided to safeguard passing boats by creating a protective icon in the cliffs. The monk lived in a cave behind Dafo's head.
The project was completed in 803, after his death, and after the regional governor donated his own salary to finish off the legs and feet.
Several drainage passages hidden in Dafo's hair, collar, chest, and holes in the back of his ears prevent the Buddha from serious erosion
Dafo is the tallest stone Buddha in the world.
How to reach the Dafo site from the bus terminal?
Dafo, the 71m high Buddha statue, carved in the cliff by the monk.
A nine turns staircase, build on the 8th century cliff road, descends the cliff.
Dafo's shoulders span 28m!
Dafo's shoulders span 28m!
One of Dafo's feet, the toes and the lady allow to appreciate the size of the monument.
The steep staircase, fortunately with one-way traffic.
Bottom of the cliff, and a glimpse on the Le Shan town behind.
A trail contunues along the river.
Haoshang bridge.
Easy to pick fish, Chinese style.
Often the translations are hard to understand.
This one probably means: 'don't throw trash away'
(as somebody could stand below).
What about this garbled english message?
The Hotel.
The pleasant hostel-hotel.
Excellent hostel, where each room has its teddy bear.
Emei Shan (just another UNESCO World Heritage site).
The Emei Shan mountain ("Delicate Eyebrow Mountain") is considered holy by the Daoists and the Buddhists.
Many temples on the montain are devoted to the Bodhisattva of Universal Benevolance, Puxian (Samantabhadra), who is said to have ascended the mountain during the 6th century atop a elephant with six tusks.
(just another UNESCO World Heritage site).
Normally it takes three days for the climb and descent the mountain,
but part of it can now be done by bus, reducing the trek to one full day.
Strange mushroom shops at the start of the trail.
Just follow the signs!
Here the trail is obvious.
Also near the end, where a wide staircase emerges from the dense fog.
Some pilgrims make it to the sumùmit in a sedan chair.
The "Golden Summit", with Samantabhadra (Puxian) on his elephant,
never completely emerging from the fog.
Pilgrims burning incense sticks and lighting candles
A thousand ghee candles are continuously maintained by the monks.
This a realy a magical place!
On the summit (3099m) with Laurence!
For a short while the fog nearly disappeared
(best closeup picture I could make from Puxian).
Some reading along the trail.
'Fair Competition', 'Excellent Goods', ...
Bye bye, Teddy Bear hotel!
Emeishan's bus terminal.
Leaving Emei Shan.
(Click here to consult the home page)
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