The Lingshan Grand Buddha [Photo from wuxinews.cn] The Lingshan Grand Buddha [Photo from wuxinews.cn]

This famous site features one of the largest and most representative collections of Buddhism architecture and art in China.

The Lingshan Grand Buddha is an 88-meter-high bronze statue of Sakyamuni in the open air, 17 meters higher than the Grand Buddha at Leshan, it forms up the pattern of "Five Buddha in Five Directions" together with the Big Buddha to the south, the Grand Buddha at Leshan Mountain to the west, the Grand Buddha in Yungang Grottoes to the north and the Grand Buddha at the Longmen Grottoes in the central area.

At the feet of the Grand Buddha, you can feel the loftiness and solemnity of Buddhism.

During Spring Festival, travelers from all over China come to Xiangfu Temple to listen to the bell toll, which is said to bring good luck to people. The bell is 3.5 metres high and weighs 12 tons, making it the biggest bell in South China.

Tips

● Location: Lingshan Road, Mashan, Binhu District

● Ticket: Through ticket: RMB 210 ($33.89); free tickets for Wuyin Mandala and the performance of Ode to Auspiciousness for individual visitors;

● Open hours of Lingshan Mountain: 7:00am-5:00 pm

● Open hours of Brahma Palace: 9:00am-6:00 pm

Travel guides

● Self—driving：

From Shanghai:Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway-East Exit in Wuxi-Taihu Road-Meiyuan-Mashan-Lingshan Scenic Area

From Nanjing: Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway-Yuqi Exit in Wuxi-Luoshe-10-Li Bright Pearl Levee-Lingshan Grand Buddha -Lingshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area

● By Bus：

Line 88: Wuxi Railway Station to Lingshan Scenic Area

Line 89: Wuxi Central Railway Station to Lingshan Scenic Area

Recommendations

The Nine-Dragon Fountain

The Nine-Dragon Fountain in front of the giant Buddha will startto play the music of trombones and the song of The Birth of Buddha at 10:00 am everyday. Huge lotus’ slowly bloom with six petals, and a 7.2-meter gold-gilt prince statue of Buddha rise from the lotus, with one hand pointing to the sky and one hand pointing at the earth, symbolizing Buddha appearing from the blooming flower and Buddha's light shining on all things.

The Brahma Palace

The construction of the Brahma Palace on Lingshan Mountain lasted for two years.Open to public in 2008, its splendid and marvellous design surprised every visitor.

The whole palace shows the integration of the traditional cultural elements with western architectural features, embodying the extension, profoundness and loftiness of Buddhism. Many cultural heritage and art works can be found here.

Wuyin Mandala

Wuyin Mandala, surround by the "fragrant ocean", covers a land area of about 5,000 square meters. It demonstrates the well-known concept of Borobudur. You may feel the fortitude of the snow-covered plateau when you throw yourself down on the land at your feet in admiration. The restlessness in your heart will disappear when you put your palms together devoutly after hanging on a prayer flag.

[Photo provided to China Daily]

[Photo provided to China Daily]

[Photo provided to China Daily]

[Photo provided to China Daily]

[Photo provided to China Daily]