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Leshan: Some of the buildings within the Wuyu Monastery.

Leshan: Maintenance people loiter near the Wuyu Monastery.

Leshan: Maintenance people loiter near the Wuyu Monastery.

Leshan: Incense burning in a courtyard at the Wuyu Monastery.

Leshan: Decorations on the memorial pagoda in a peaceful meditation garden at the Wuyu Monastery.

Leshan: Entrance into the Hall of a Thousand Buddhas at the Wuyu Monastery.

Leshan: Some of the inhabitants in the Hall of a Thousand Buddhas at the Wuyu Monastery. The display is a sober reminder that enumerable dedicated individuals have attained that state of mind first described by the original Buddha. These life-like representations emphasize just how human "holy" people can be.

Leshan: View along the trail to WuYu Temple.

Leshan: At the top of the bridge these folks took a special interest in me and my activities. The guy was trying to take my picture.

Leshan: Information about the WuYu Temple.

Leshan: Story of items found in some of the tombs.

Leshan: Story of items found in some of the tombs.

Leshan: Story of items found in some of the tombs.

Leshan: Story of items found in some of the tombs.

Leshan: This posture shows what we are supposed to see as we enter a very dark cave.

Leshan: Proud mother and daughter who speaks struggling English I encountered while exploring the park.

Leshan: This little girl absolutely would not get within grabbing distance of the scary wild white haired creature her family so much seemed to enjoy. I snapped this photo as Auntie comforted the wary kid.

Leshan: One of the hundreds of Buddhas memorialized throughout the park.

Leshan: One of the entry arches into a major temple.

Leshan: Bas relief sculpture on the wall of an entrance to a major temple area.

Leshan: Column sculpture at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Sculpture at the bottom of the wide stairway near the obscure giant reclining bas relief sculpture.

Leshan: Group sculpture at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Sign discussing the origin of the gate.

Leshan: That is the main gate into the Buddha Cultural Park. It is called the Giant Buddha Torii.

Leshan: Sign explaining the confluence of three rivers that converge near the feet of the Giant Buddha of Leshan.

Leshan: The Lingbao Pagoda. It is visible from many locations throughout the city across the river.

Leshan: Entrance to the Lingbao Pagoda is closed to the public.

Leshan: Entrance to the Lingbao Pagoda is closed to the public.

Leshan: The Lingbao Pagoda. It is visible from many locations throughout the city across the river.

Leshan: Sign pointing the way to the Lingbao Pagoda and other nearby features in the park.

Leshan: Group of Buddha sculptures near the Lingbao Pagoda.

Leshan: Sign pointing the way to the Lingbao Pagoda.

Leshan: Stone plaque explaining the nearby stone tablets.

29 August 2008 

Monumental, is the first word that comes to mind as I stand eye to eye with the head of the enormous Giant Buddha of Leshan. For over a thousand years it has reminded believers to anticipate the arrival of a "redeemer" in the far distant future who would teach mankind how to control its cravings and enjoy unbounded bliss free of suffering. These ancient Buddhist teachings bear an interesting resemblance to old Jewish prophecies. Most of the throngs standing around me are in a festive mood, cameras clicking away, children noisy in their rambunctious play, ice bonbons (Popsicles) passing from brother to sister, security guards dressed as Buddhist monks or brothers watching benignly, leather faced octogenarians gazing in amusement or reminiscing about the unrealistic promises of youth... excerpted from the main Leshan Giant Buddha postcard page.

Leshan Cultural Area August 27, 2008 -Here are the rest of the 156 photos taken while exploring many of the tombs, temples, pagodas and monasteries among the hills near the Leshan Giant Buddha.

Leshan: Historical information about Buddhism.

Leshan: Beautiful gilded calligraphy engraving adorn the walls along the path near the Wuyu Monastery.

Leshan: Miniature sculpture on the wall surrounding the memorial pagoda in a peaceful meditation garden at the Wuyu Monastery. ... or, did his mind vacillate between peaceful thoughts and images of legendary daemons waiting to destroy his calm?

Leshan: Some of the inhabitants in the Hall of a Thousand Buddhas at the Wuyu Monastery. Only my possession of a tiny "spy" camera made this collection of images possible as there were signs prohibiting photography (I justified my actions as the sign really meant: no flash photography...)

Leshan: Ancient drainage channel carved into the rock along a stairway..

Leshan: Another of the little rest stop pavilions.

Leshan: Information about the WuYu Temple.

Leshan: Picturesque bridge across the river near the East Gate of the park.

Leshan: Picturesque boat in the river near the East Gate of the park.

Leshan: Pilgrims install sticks to prop up the mountain near the East Gate of the park. I don't know the full story, but it looks like people are adding their one little stick to all the others to hold up the mountain.

Leshan: Scary guardian near one of the major temple entrances.

Leshan: Steep, wide stairway leading up to a collection of large Buddha statues.

Leshan: Courtyard at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Fat Buddha at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Courtyard at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Bas relief sculpture at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Sculpture at the bottom of the wide stairway near the obscure giant reclining bas relief sculpture.

Leshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

eshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Sign pointing the way to the obscure giant reclining bas relief sculpture.

Leshan: This is the entrance to the Leshan Giant Buddha Museum. It seems to have been abandoned, but I found the architecture particularly appealing.

Leshan: This is the Leshan Giant Buddha Museum. It seems to have been abandoned, but I found the architecture particularly appealing.

Leshan: Plaque explaining the history of the Leshan Giant Buddha Museum. It seems to have been abandoned, but I found the architecture particularly appealing.

Leshan: That is the main gate into the Buddha Cultural Park. It is called the Giant Buddha Torii.

Leshan: That is the main gate into the Buddha Cultural Park. It is called the Giant Buddha Torii. I liked they way they ask us to keep off the grass.

Leshan: Details of the main gate into the Buddha Cultural Park. It is called the Giant Buddha Torii.

Leshan: Full diagram showing locations of major features in the Buddha Cultural Park.

Leshan: I love these little "gazebos" located where people most need to rest.

Leshan: Kinetic sculpture powered by water under pressure. The disk on top rotates.

Leshan: Memorial pagoda in a peaceful meditation garden at the Wuyu Monastery.

Leshan: Incense and offerings around the memorial pagoda in a peaceful meditation garden at the Wuyu Monastery.

Leshan: Miniature sculpture on the wall surrounding the memorial pagoda in a peaceful meditation garden at the Wuyu Monastery. As I sat admiring this exquisite little work I tried to imagine the thoughts going through the sculptor as he did his work. Did he entertain any thoughts of a legacy bequeathed to posterity? ... or, did he quietly meditate as he chiseled away the unneeded stone?

Leshan: Entrance into one of the many temples.

Leshan: Sign along the trail near the South Entrance to the Buddha Cultural Park.

Leshan: Sculpture along the trail near the South Entrance to the Buddha Cultural Park.

Leshan: Caves inhabited by monks in ancient times.

Leshan: Sign pointing the way to WuYu Temple.

Leshan: View along the trail near East Gate.

Leshan: Information about the WuYu Temple.

Leshan: Bas relief sculpture on one of the walls along the main path in the Buddha Cultural Park.

Leshan: Tombs. Caves inhabited by monks in ancient times and later their bodies.

Leshan: Sarcophagus excavated from one of the tombs.

Leshan: Sarcophagus excavated from one of the tombs.

Leshan: Structures near the East Gate into the park.

Leshan: Another sign explaining a park feature.

Leshan: Scary guardian near one of the major temple entrances. ... looks like someone smacked him in the face a little too hard.

Leshan: Scary guardian near one of the major temple entrances.

Leshan: Close the lock and throw away the key is practiced here near the large Buddha statue.

Leshan: Close the lock and throw away the key is practiced here near the large Buddha statue.

Leshan: Another sculpture on the wall of an entrance to a major temple area.

Leshan: Another sculpture on the wall of an entrance to a major temple area.

Leshan: Another sculpture on the wall of an entrance to a major temple area.

Leshan: Fortune teller in an entry area into the temple.

Leshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Part of the sculpture garden located off to the side at the bottom of the wide stairway.

Leshan: Part of the diagram showing locations of major features in the Buddha Cultural Park.

Leshan: Part of the diagram showing locations of major features in the Buddha Cultural Park.

Leshan: Stone tablet from the Book of Changes.

Leshan: Stone plaque on a wall of the cave.

Leshan: Stone plaque on a wall of the cave.

Leshan: Sign pointing the way to the Lingbao Pagoda and other nearby features in the park.

Leshan: One of the thousands of trash cans scattered around the park.

Leshan: Direction sign pointing the way to attractions.

Leshan: I love these little "gazebos" located where people most need to rest.

Leshan China: around town August 27, 2008 - Here are the rest of the 126 photos taken around town and in the outlying areas.

Leshan: River view from my eighth floor room in the 3 star $43 Jia Zhou Hotel. invisible in this photo is a lone river swimmer being carried past the hotel at about twice the speed of my quickest walking.

Leshan: View of the parking lot below the eighth floor of the Jia Zhou Hotel where I stayed.

Leshan: A favorite sport here in the river town of Leshan is floating down the river, usually in groups like this one.

Leshan: The wharf from which the river floaters leave serves numerous ferries like this one.

Leshan: One of the monumental sculptures in a large plaza across the street from the hotel.

Leshan: This sculpture dominates the center of a traffic circle near the hotel.

Leshan: At the end of the #10 city bus I found the typical little community of JuZi. Obviously a farming hub, I spotted grain drying on the street down the main drag of town.

Leshan: At the end of the #10 city bus I found the typical little community of JuZi. Obviously a farming hub, I spotted grain drying on the street down the main drag of town.

Leshan: Granny insists her little charge perform for the foreign stranger... which the tyke needed no encouragement to do. I found the tiny tot captivating and found it difficult to leave with grandma egging the kid on to more of the cutest antics I've witnesses so far. These are only two of the best of the more than a dozen shot I took.

Leshan: This example of the local fauna stopped to catch his breath at my feet along the river walk.

Leshan: Some of the colorful vegetables offered for sale in the many farmers markets I discovered around town. Peppers and carrots always make pretty pictures!

Leshan: The entrance to this establishment intrigued me. I never did figure out what business they ran.

Leshan: These trishaws are everywhere. Buses will take you anywhere in the city for one Yuan, cabs start at 3 Yuan. The trishaws charge a minimum of 2 Yuan and I'm surprised they can survive with so much competition. Of course they can maneuver into narrow alleyways where larger vehicles can't go.

Leshan: One of the monumental sculptures in a large plaza not far from the hotel.

Leshan: Zigzag bridge across a pond in the Times Square Plaza.

Leshan: Bridge across a pond in the Times Square Plaza.

Leshan: Sidewalk benches around the Times Square Plaza are a popular place for a friendly game of cards with friends.

Leshan: Corn cobs drying in the sun. Do you suppose they are being prepared for use as country toilet paper?

Leshan: During the Moon Cake season displays of Moon Cake gift boxes like these can be seen all over town. One place offered samples and I found the taste rather bland.

Leshan: We passed an endless sea of farmlands on the bus trip to Leshan from Chengdu. While vast areas of rice could be seen, companion planting dominated the scene. Many of the rice fields were being harvested; some by mechanical combines, other by old traditional hand methods.

Leshan: We passed an endless sea of farmlands on the bus trip to Leshan from Chengdu. While vast areas of rice could be seen, companion planting dominated the scene. Many of the rice fields were being harvested; some by mechanical combines, other by old traditional hand methods.

Leshan: We passed an endless sea of farmlands on the bus trip to Leshan from Chengdu. While vast areas of rice could be seen, companion planting dominated the scene. Many of the rice fields were being harvested; some by mechanical combines, other by old traditional hand methods.

Leshan: We passed an endless sea of farmlands on the bus trip to Leshan from Chengdu. While vast areas of rice could be seen, companion planting dominated the scene. Many of the rice fields were being harvested; some by mechanical combines, other by old traditional hand methods.

Leshan: We passed an endless sea of farmlands on the bus trip to Leshan from Chengdu. While vast areas of rice could be seen, companion planting dominated the scene. Many of the rice fields were being harvested; some by mechanical combines, other by old traditional hand methods.

Leshan: We passed an endless sea of farmlands on the bus trip to Leshan from Chengdu. While vast areas of rice could be seen, companion planting dominated the scene. Many of the rice fields were being harvested; some by mechanical combines, other by old traditional hand methods.

Leshan: We passed an endless sea of farmlands on the bus trip to Leshan from Chengdu. While vast areas of rice could be seen, companion planting dominated the scene. Many of the rice fields were being harvested; some by mechanical combines, other by old traditional hand methods.

Leshan: One of the monumental sculptures in a large plaza across the street from the hotel.

Leshan: Sculpture along one of the walkways leading over to the hotel.

Leshan: Bamboo framework for paper decorations used in store openings and other important events.

Leshan: Walking East along the river walk this sculpture stands hidden in the shadows of a thick grove of trees.

Leshan: If you are planning a store opening or product promotion, you will need a bunch of these floral displays.

Leshan: Crocodile sculpture in a small park along one of the principle streets through town.

Leshan: Crocodile sculpture in a small park along one of the principle streets through town.

Leshan: Some of the infinite variety of "weeds" offered for sale in the many farmers markets I discovered around town.

Leshan: Some of the infinite variety of "weeds" and other vegetables offered for sale in the many farmers markets I discovered around town.

Leshan: Some of the infinite variety of "weeds" and beans offered for sale in the many farmers markets I discovered around town.

Leshan: This is the focal point sculpture on the grounds of the Times Square Plaza.

Leshan: Bas relief to the right of the focal point sculpture on the grounds of the Times Square Plaza.

Leshan: I found this bright shiny steel sculpture particularly appealing. Part of the scattered sculpture garden in the Times Square Plaza, it reminds me of a Chinese interpretation of the Little Mermaid sculpture in Copenhagen Denmark.

Leshan: I found this bright shiny steel sculpture particularly appealing. Part of the scattered sculpture garden in the Times Square Plaza, it reminds me of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen Denmark.

Leshan: Plaque showing direction to the Giant Buddha of Leshan.

Leshan: People on the viewing platform at the base of the Giant Buddha statue as seen from the tourist boat that took us to the foot of the Giant Buddha.

Leshan: Many smaller sculptures of venerated personages have been chopped into the walls along the well designed hiking trail leading up to the top of the Giant Buddha's head.

Leshan: Sign along the hiking trail.

Leshan: Buddhist sayings have been chiseled into the walls along the hiking trail leading up to the top of the Giant Buddha's head.

Leshan: Many smaller sculptures of venerated personages have been hacked into the walls along the well designed hiking trail leading up to the top of the Giant Buddha's head.

Leshan: That is the head of the Dragon for which Dragon Pool is named.

Leshan: Drinking Pavilion near the top of the hill where the Giant Buddha head becomes visible.

Leshan: Drinking Pavilion near the top of the hill where the Giant Buddha head becomes visible.

Leshan: Thousands of tourists and a few pilgrims visit the cultural relics in the Buddhist Cultural Park daily.

Leshan: Decorations on a wall near the entrance to the chamber where a group of "monks" chant the Buddhist sutras in one of the temples. Actually, all these guys are now paid by the central government to "perform" the ancient rituals for the edification of tourists. However, they may actually be devoted monks, too.

Leshan: Finally at the top of the hill I come upon the actual head of the Leshan Giant Buddha. I am joined by crowds of noisy families, children running and screaming like it is recess time in school. The atmosphere is jubilant, few reverent pilgrims in this gang.

Leshan: Tourist boats returning to the docks.

Leshan: Direction sign pointing the ways to various attractions.

Leshan: Head of the Giant Buddha; up close. Another perspective.

Leshan: Details of the left wall along side the Giant Buddha.

Leshan: Center piece in the Lotus blossom monument near the head of the Giant Buddha at the top of the hill.

Leshan: This bell rings to mark the rising of the sun every day... at least in ancient times it did. Today people ring it as they please while lingering around the top of the hill where the head of the Giant Buddha is located.

Leshan: Plaque describing how one of the monks lived in this cave during the construction of the Giant Buddha.

Leshan: Close up of the Giant Buddha's eyebrow

Leshan: Fierce stone lion guards the grave of a long dead monk along the trail.

Leshan: View of the Leshan Giant Buddha from the deck of the tourist boat.

Leshan: View of the Leshan Giant Buddha from the deck of the tourist boat.

Leshan: View of the Leshan Giant Buddha from the deck of the tourist boat.

Leshan: Passengers are required to wear life vests while on the upper deck of the tourist boat that took us to the foot of the Giant Buddha.

Leshan: One of the speed boats that provides fast transport out to the Giant Buddha statue.

Leshan Giant Buddha August 24, 2008 - Here are the rest of the 116 photos taken around the Leshan Giant Buddha: "The mountain is a Buddha; the Buddha is a mountain." during August 2008.

Leshan: Sign listing entry fees for the various attractions.

Leshan: Many smaller sculptures of venerated personages have been chopped into the walls along the well designed hiking trail leading up to the top of the Giant Buddha's head.

Leshan: Plaque displaying information about Dragon Pool.

Leshan: People watching fish and turtles in the Dragon Pool.

Leshan: Stone tiger statue guards the entrance to a cave known as the Tiger's Lair where one of the renowned monks spent his quiet hours. I crawled into the cave and watching a family with small children hesitate to climb up, let out a blood curdling roar that delighted all.

Leshan: Plaque discussing the life of the Fat Buddha.

Leshan: The renowned Fat Buddha.

Leshan: People discussing how much money to toss into the wishing well pool.

Leshan: Story of the experimental wall used to test materials for the repair of the Giant Buddha.

Leshan: Pilgrims light incense sticks at the entrance into a temple area.

Leshan: Pilgrims light incense sticks at the entrance into a temple area.

Leshan: A group of "monks" chant the Buddhist sutras in one of the temples. Actually, all these guys are now paid by the central government to "perform" the ancient rituals for the edification of tourists. However, some may actually be devoted monks, too.

Leshan: Meditation cushions in the chamber where a group of "monks" chant the Buddhist sutras in one of the temples. Actually, all these guys are now paid by the central government to "perform" the ancient rituals for the edification of tourists. However, they may actually be devoted monks, too.

Leshan: Entrance to the chamber where a group of "monks" chant the Buddhist sutras in one of the temples. Actually, all these guys are now paid by the central government to "perform" the ancient rituals for the edification of tourists. However, they may actually be devoted monks, too.

Leshan: People on the long steep stone stairway down to the viewing platform at the base of the Giant Buddha statue as seen from the head of the Giant Buddha.

Leshan: People on the long steep stone stairway down to the viewing platform at the base of the Giant Buddha statue as seen from the head of the Giant Buddha.

Leshan: Anchor rarely used on the tourist boat that took us to the foot of the Giant Buddha.

Leshan: Tie up ropes on the tourist boat that took us to the foot of the Giant Buddha.

Leshan: People on the long steep stone stairway down to the viewing platform at the base of the Giant Buddha statue as seen from the tourist boat that took us to the foot of the Giant Buddha.

Leshan: People on the viewing platform at the base of the Giant Buddha statue as seen from the tourist boat that took us to the foot of the Giant Buddha.

Leshan: View of the Leshan Giant Buddha from the deck of the tourist boat.

Leshan: View of the Leshan Giant Buddha from the deck of the tourist boat.

Leshan: People on the viewing platform at the base of the Giant Buddha statue as seen from the tourist boat that took us to the foot of the Giant Buddha.

Leshan: Many smaller sculptures of venerated personages have been chopped into the walls along the well designed hiking trail leading up to the top of the Giant Buddha's head.

Leshan: The cliff walls facing the assembly area around the North entrance to the Buddha Cultural area where the Giant Buddha statue is located are pocked with ancient sculptures, most of which have weathered so much it is difficult to see the original intention.

Leshan: View of the Leshan Giant Buddha from the deck of the tourist boat.

Leshan: The cliff walls facing the assembly area around the North entrance to the Buddha Cultural area where the Giant Buddha statue is located are pocked with ancient sculptures, most of which have weathered so much it is difficult to see the original intention.

Leshan: Stone stools like this one are common around the assembly area near the North entrance to the Buddha Cultural area.

Leshan: Plaque containing historical information about the park. Better image follows.

Leshan: Plaque displaying tourist information.

Leshan: Stone tiger statue guards the entrance to a cave known as the Tiger's Lair where one of the renowned monks spent his quiet hours.

Leshan: The cliff walls up from the North entrance to the Buddha Cultural area where the Giant Buddha statue is located are covered with carvings of Buddhist sayings.

Leshan: The cliff walls up from the North entrance to the Buddha Cultural area where the Giant Buddha statue is located are covered with carvings of Buddhist sayings.

Leshan: Drinking Pavilion near the top of the hill where the Giant Buddha head becomes visible.

Leshan: Bell Pavilian near the top of the hill where the Giant Buddha head becomes visible. It is one of the most picturesque spots along the trail.

Leshan: Lotus blossom monument near the head of the Giant Buddha at the top of the hill.

Leshan: Head of the Giant Buddha; up close.

Leshan: Curly hair on the head of the Giant Buddha; there are hundreds of these ringlets.

Leshan: Entry area around the chamber where a group of "monks" chant the Buddhist sutras in one of the temples. Actually, all these guys are now paid by the central government to "perform" the ancient rituals for the edification of tourists. However, they may actually be devoted monks, too.

Leshan: Fierce stone lion guards the grave of a long dead monk along the trail.

Leshan: Potted plant along the trail.

Leshan: Sign marking the Drinking Pavilion near the top of the hill where the Giant Buddha head becomes visible.

Leshan: Drinking Pavilion near the top of the hill where the Giant Buddha head becomes visible.

Leshan: People enjoying the fish swimming in the Dragon Pool.

Leshan: Looking away from the Leshan Giant Buddha cliff from the tourist boat that took us to the foot of the Giant Buddha. My hotel is over there somewhere.

Leshan: Smaller statue carved in the cliff on the right side of the Giant Buddha as seen from the tourist boat that took us to the foot of the Giant Buddha.

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