Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest sitting stone Buddha in China, located at the confluent point of the Minjiang River, Qingyi River and Dadu River. The Buddha is carved out from a cliff backing by the mountain and facing the rivers, with 70.7 meters in height and 24 meters in width at the shoulders. The carving is very skillful and the sculpture is well proportioned. More amazingly, the body of the Buddha has a scientific and crafty drainage system to prevent erosion.

The construction of Leshan Giant Buddha begun in the first year (713) of Kaiyuan period under the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, Tang Dynasty (618-907) and was completed in the 19th year (803) of the Zhenyuan period under the reign of Tang Emperor Dezong, taking about 90 years. The building was initiated by a monk named Haitong. He discovered the current gushing at the confluent point of the three rivers had toppled many boats and decided to make a Buddhist sculpture to decrease the power of water and calm down the billows. He tried every means to raise fund for the construction. When some officials blackmailed him for the fund, he would rather dig out one eye than to give them the fund. His sacrificing spirit deeply moved the people. On the top of the Linyun Peak there remains a Haitong Cave, which is said to be his residence, with a newly installed sculpture of Haitong. The sculpture is about 2 meters in height, depicting the master sitting in tailor-fashion and holding a plate with his eye on it, his expression hard and stately. Because the project was long-lasting and large-scale, Haitong passed away before the sculpture was completed. The latter part of the project was organized by western Sichuan governor Wei Gao.

When the Buddha was completed, a seven-storied tower with a span of about 60 meters was also built to cover the sculpture. The sculpture was painted colorfully, with stately appearance. Unfortunately the tower was destroyed in the late Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and had never been rebuilt afterwards.

On the cliff wall beside the Buddha, there is a hilly vertical plank road zigzagging downward, which is the famous Nine-turn Plank Road built together with the Buddha. Walking along the road and facing the crag and gap, one can't help feeling dizzy and heart quaking. At the top of the plank road is a pavilion in the shape of long corridor, called the Jinhe Pavilion (Near River Pavilion). On the cliff wall beside the plank road there remain two niches of sculptures made in the Tang Dynasty, which are comparatively well-preserved among thousands of sculptures besides the Buddha. At the first turn of the plank road, there is an exquisitely made sculpture, which is called the Western Sukhavati, fine and vivid. There are also sculptures of buildings, pavilions, and towers in it. It provides precious materials for studying the art and architectural style of the Tang Dynasty.