Lingshan Buddhist Scenic Spot (líng shān shèng jìng 灵山胜境) is a special large theme park of Buddhism, located in Wuxi City (wú xī shì 无锡市). As the symbol of Wuxi tour, Lingshan has been a popular scenic spot on the tour route in East China and the Buddhist tourist attraction well-known at home and abroad. Nearly 2 million visitors from all over the world have visited Lingshan each year. Construction of Lingshan begun in 1994, Lingshan Scenic Spot is composed of Lingshan Grand Buddha (líng shān dà fó 灵山大佛)---- the world tallest copper standing statue of Skyamuni , Nine Dragons Bathing the Baby Buddha ((jiǔ lóng guàn yù 九龙灌浴), a group of large-sized dynamic musical sculptures; and a series of well-designed Buddhist scenic spots.

Pancajnana Gate (wǔ zhì mén 五智门), also called The Five-Wisdom Door, is a large stone gateway, and denotes profound insight of Buddhism. It is grand and delicate in molding, erecting with over 1000 tons of granite. On its southern and the northern side are engraved six groups of big Chinese characters of Satparamita. Pillars of Pancajnana Gate are made as a whole from granite through engraving. On each pillar stands a powerful stone lion. The roaring of lions symbolizes that Buddhist truth broadcasts in every direction. On both sides of pillars there are antithetical Couplets written by celebrities in deep significance.

Nine Dragons Bathing the Baby Buddha, which is a perfect integration of Buddhism and modern technology, present us the auspicious scene of Sakyamuni’s birth. According to recordation of Buddhist scriptures, Sakyamuni, the creator of Buddhism, could speak and walk as soon as he was born. He walked seven steps towards east, south, west and north each. At every step the ground yielded a lotus flower. Pointing to the heaven with one hand and pointing to the earth with another, he said: “In the heaven and on the earth, only I am the most venerable.” At this time two square ponds suddenly appeared in the garden and nine dragons approached in the sky and poured out water streams to bathe Sakyamuni. This legend makes thoughts through one’s mind. At Lingshan Buddhist Scenic spot, the group of large-sized dynamic musical sculptures “Bathing by Nine Dragon and Flowers Revealing Buddha” reproduces the magnificent scene in the story.

Engraved by hand from a whole piece of granite, which is rarely seen in China, King Asoka’s Pillar (ā yù wáng zhù 阿育王柱) is 16.9 meters high and weighs over 200 tons. There are four lions on the top of the pillar, facing east, west, south and north side, which symbolize the widespread of the Buddhism. It is said that in ancient India, King Asoka of the Peacock Dynasty (kǒng què wáng cháo 孔雀王朝) fought all his life on the battlefields. And in his later years he felt sinful and was converted to Buddhism. He taught common folks Buddhist doctrines. In order to popularize the Buddhist doctrines, he erected stone pillars at various places. Scriptures were engraved on the pillars for common folk to read. In addition, he dispatched officials to many neighboring countries to spread Buddhism there. With his vast efforts, Buddhism has been become an international religion. The raw material of the Pillar of King Asoka at Lingshan was taken from the mountain areas in Fujian Province (fú jiàn shěng 福建省), where granite is abundant. The pillar of King Asoka is solemn in unsophisticated primitive style and enjoys very high value in architecture and for appreciation. It is a rare work of China’s sculptural arts.

With the height of 88 meters, the Lingshan Grand Buddha is even 17 taller than the Leshan Buddha in Sichuan, and is regarded as the tallest copper standing statue of Skyamuni. It is situated beside the Taihu Lake (tài hú 太湖), with the picturesque landscape. The statue fully displays the charm of the traditional oriental Buddhist culture.

Besides, there are the ancient Xiangfu Temple (xiáng fú chán sì 祥符禅寺) with a history over one thousand years, the Great Screen Wall at Lingshan (líng shān dà zhào bì 灵山大照壁), and Rostrum of Buddha’s Feet (fó zǘ tán 佛足坛) etc., which attracts many visitors from home and abroad.

Lingshan Buddhist Scenic Spot
Location: Lingshan Road (líng shān lù 灵山路), Binhu District (bīn hú qū 滨湖区), Wuxi City
Admission fee: RMB 150 for general
                       RMB 120 for the people above 60 years old 
                       RMB 75 for the children between 110 to 150 cm and the disabled ones
                       RMB 50 for the people above 70 years old
Opening hours: 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Transportation: you can take bus No. 88, 89 and 91 to get there directly from Wuxi Railway Station.