Mengshan Giant Buddha
蒙山大佛
A giant Buddha carved into the cliff during the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi dynasty, about 160 years older than the Leshan Giant Buddha; the scenic area also has the Lianli Twin Pagodas of Kaihua Temple.
The Mengshan Giant Buddha lies on the western hill of Sidi Village in Jinyuan District. It was carved in 551 AD, in the second year of the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi dynasty, on the orders of Emperor Wenxuan, Gao Yang. It is one of the earliest surviving cliff-carved giant Buddhas in China, about 160 years older than the Leshan Giant Buddha. The Buddha originally stood about 63 m tall. After wars damaged its head, it was rediscovered in the 1980s, and after 2000 the head was restored based on historical research, while the seated body retains its original cliff-carved appearance. The scenic area also has the ruins of Kaihua Temple and the Lianli Twin Pagodas from the Northern Han period. Hiking trails along the way offer views over the Jinyang Plain. Admission is about 90 yuan (subject to the official notice at the scenic area); people aged 60 and over and children under 1.3 m tall are admitted free. Opening hours are roughly 08:00 to 18:30 in peak season, extended on weekends, and roughly 08:30 to 17:30 in the off-season. It is about 10 km from Jinci and 25 km from the city center. Combine it with Jinci, Tianlong Mountain and the ancient Taiyuan county town for a day trip.
Opening hours
Peak season 08:00–18:30 (weekends until 19:30); off-season 08:30–17:30
Nearby sights
- Taishan Longquan Temple
- Taiyuan Botanical Garden
- Longshan Grottoes & Tongzi Temple Ruins
- Jinyang Ancient City Site
- Jinyang Lake
- Taiyuan Ancient County Town
- Jinci Temple
- Tianlongshan Grottoes