Lingshan Grand Buddha - One of the World’s Biggest Buddha

Lingshan Giant Buddha or Lingshan Buddha, is one of the symbol of Wuxi City located at the northern bank of Taihu Lake. This holy land - Lingshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area was got its name after “small Lingshan” by Xuanzang - a famous Chinese Buddhist monk in early Tang Dynasty who made interaction between China and India. Built in 1997, the bronze Shakyamuni Buddha at Lingshan stands majestically at 88 meters tall, among which the body of the Buddha is for 79 meters and the lotus flower pedestal is 9 meters. Embraced by three hills and facing with Taihu Lake, this great Buddha is friendly smiling, observing all livings and protecting his people.

Lingshan Grand Buddha’s construction was host by Zhao Puchu, the former chairman of the Buddhist Association of China. His inspiring idea “Five Great Buddhas in Five Orientation of China” has made great influence on the development of Chinese Buddhism. Now, you can see Wuxi Lingshan Grand Buddha in the east of China, Hong Kong Tian Tan Buddha in the south of China, Leshan Giant Buddha in the west of China, Yungang Grand Buddha in the north of China and Longmen Grand Buddha in the center of China. Actually, being the world’s tallest bronze Shakyamuni Buddha in the open air, Lingshan Grand Buddha is 17 meters taller than Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan Province.

The majority of the attractions extend along a southeast-northwest axis from the main gate to the Grand Buddha statue with some sights to the east. Besides the temples, statues and gardens, you can attend to enjoy some meaningful Buddhist performances.

Nine Dragons Bathing Shakyamuni (九龙灌浴)

According to the Buddhist classic Abhiniskramana-sutra, the Buddha Shakyamuni can speak and walk when he was born. A lotus grew and bloom on every step he made when he walked seven steps in the four directions. Then, he pointed sky with one hand and pointed ground with another hand and said “I am the honored lord of the world”. At this time, there were two pools appeared in the garden and nine dragons appeared in the sky spitting out water to provide water to bath Shakayamuni.

Travelers can enjoy the real scene “Nine Dragon Bathing Shakyamuni” which is not only existed in the legendary story. With the Buddhist music starting, the six pieces of lotus flowers is blooming and the 7.2-meter-tall Golden Buddha is appearing with one hand pointing sky and one hand pointing ground. The nine dragons are spitting out water for about 10 meters high to bath the sacred Buddha. Sometime if weather permits, you can even see the rainbow over the water. Travelers can even taste the holy water outflowing from the mouths of phoenixes standing around the fountain. It is said that the holy water can bring luck and health for you.

Time to Enjoy Nine Dragons Bathing Shakyamuni: 10:00; 11:30; 14:45; 16:45.

Brahma Palace (灵山梵宫)

The Brahma Palace is situated at the foot of Lingshan Hill with magnificent architecture, harmonious layout, tall colonnade, soaring dome and large-scale hall. The architecture is an example to present profound Buddhism with a blend of traditional cultural elements and modern features. Entering inside the palace, travelers can appreciate the exquisite Dongyang woodcarving, elegant murals by Dunhuang skilled painters, grand oil paintings, quaint cloisonné Sumeru lamps…lots of art treasures scattered in Brahma Palace.

The inspiring performance called “Ode to Auspice” (吉祥颂) is held every day in the Altar of Brahma Palace. Time to Enjoy “Ode to Auspice”: 10:35; 11:30; 14:00 and 16:00 (Monday to Friday); 10:35; 11:30; 13:00; 14:00; 15:00 and 16:00 (Saturday and Sunday). Travelers should come 20 minutes ahead for checking in.

Five Mudra Mandala (五印坛城)

Gorgeous golden roof, huge gilding aquaria, striking prayer flags…This is the scene of Five Mudra Mandala with unique and original Tibetan architecture. It occupies 8000 square meters, like a standard football field. And it stands 31.55 meters tall with six stories. This is the well-known type of mandala – the mandala of the “Five Buddhas”, archetypal Buddha forms embodying various aspects of enlightenment. The “Five Wisdom Buddhas” are enshrined in five directions, including Rratnasambhava in the south (南方宝生佛), Amitabha in the west (西方阿弥陀佛), Amoghasiddhi Buddha in the north (北方不空成就佛) and Akshobhya in the east (东方阿閦佛) and Vairocana Buddha in the center (中央毗卢遮那佛). The inner decoration of Five Mudra Mandala is holy, pure and solemn with painted sculptures, mural, woodcarvings, Thangka, gold-plating…presenting spectacular Mandala art.

Buddha’s Hand Square (佛手广场)

On the left side of Buddha’s Hand Square is the largest palm of Buddha in the world and on the right side of the square is a Maitreya Buddha with 100 children playing with him on his body.

Largest Buddha Hand in the World: The 11.7-meter high and 5.5 meter wide statue of the hand is a 1:1 replica of the right hand of the Grand Buddha of Lingshan. You can imagine how magnificent the Lingshan Buddha is. You can either observe or touch the big hand. This right hand is the “giving Abhaya Mudra” (施无畏印) which means overcome suffering and make all living creatures without fear. Buddha’s Hand in Chinese is “Foshou” (佛手) which is the homophonic phrase of “Fushou” (福寿). Visitors believe that touch this big hand will bring good fortune and longevity.

100 Children Playing with Maitreya Buddha: This 8.5-meter-long bronze Maitreya Buddha is always smiling with 100 children playing on his body, some of them making a human pyramid, some of doing tug-of-war, some children using tree branch poking Buddha’s belly, some children peeing on the body…The Maitreya Buddha does not mind what the children do on his body and he tolerant, forgive and love all the children. For he is always magnanimous, he owns the true happiness.

Lingshan Buddha Scenic Area is located at the south side of Mashan Qinlu Peak, on the Majishan Peninsula stretching from the northern bank of Taihu Lake. It is about 50 kilometers from Wuxi Sunan Shuofang International Airport (about 1 hour’s drive), about 35 kilometers from Wuxi Railway Station (about 45 minutes’ drive), about 50 kilometers from Wuxi East Railway Station (about 1 hour’s drive). Usually, travelers who visit Lingshan Grand Buddha are from Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing or Hangzhou. The mentioned cities are connected with Wuxi by high speed train which is very convenient for transfer.

• Shanghai – Wuxi: The distance between Shanghai and Wuxi is about 145 kilometers which takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes by driving. If you take high speed train, numerous G / D trains are running from Shanghai Railway Station or Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Wu Railway Station or Wuxi East Railway Station. It is only 28 minutes to 50 minutes’ journey between the two cities.
• Suzhou – Wuxi: The distance between Suzhou and Wuxi is about 50 kilometers with 1 hour by driving. There are many high speed trains are available from Suzhou to Wuxi which takes only 10~15 minutes. Travelers can take G or D trains from Suzhou Railway Station to Wuxi Railway Station or Wuxi East Railway Station.
• Nanjing – Wuxi: The distance between Nanjing and Wuxi is about 180 kilometers which takes 2.5 hours by driving. Also, travelers can take G / D trains from Nanjing Railway Station / Nanjing South Railway Station to Wuxi Railway Station or Wuxi East Railway Station. The train journey is about 1 hour.
• Hangzhou – Wuxi: The distance between Hangzhou and Wuxi is about 210 kilometers with 2 hours and 40 minutes by driving. There are about 30 high speed trains are available every day. They are running from Hangzhou East Railway Station (a few from Hangzhou Railway Station) to Wuxi Railway Station or Wuxi East Railway Station.

Transportation in Lingshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area

Travelers can either walk or take sightseeing bus to visit Lingshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area. If you take sightseeing bus, you can stop at Altar of Buddha’s Footprint, Nine Dragons Bathing Sakyamuni, Buddha’s Hand, Ancient Gingko Tree Square, Brahma Palace, and Five Mudra Mandala, etc. It charges extra 25 Yuan per person.

Recommended Visiting Route

To save your energy and time, you can follow our recommended route to visit: Entrance → Grand Screen Wall → Altar of Buddha’s Footprints → Nine Dragons Bathing Sakyamuni → Buddha’s Hand Square → Xiangfu Temple → Ancient Ginkgo Square → Grand Buddha → Brahma Palace → Flying Dragon Tower → Five Mudra Mandala → Exit.