As there is a giant bas-relief Buddha figure of Sakyamuni on the top of precipices, the name Giant Statue was given to the mountain. Zhao Puchu, the late director of Chinese Buddhism Association held the view that the name of Giant Elephant Mountain is more precise after making a thorough research on the birth, history and the related tales of Sakyamuni’s reincarnation. Since then the name is formally acknowlodged.
The mountains are covered with thick cypresses and pines, and scented by lilac blossoms. There is a large cave on the cliff, the giant bas-relief Buddha figure sitting in it. On the mountain top and halfway the mountainside, pavilions are scattered in the green bushes. Painted pillars and beams are shaded by trees. Gangu Buddha figure is stone carved statue covered with clay, 23.3 meters high, 9.5 meters shoulder wide. Its head height is 5.8 m, the knee length 6 m. Its tall shape is majestic. Its cultural characteristics consist in the perfect combination of western decorative sculpture and Chinese freehand artistic sculpture. According to research, Gangu Buddha Statue could be dated back to the North Wei Dynasty. The carving and clay applying took three hundred years throughout four dynasties.
Travel Tips
Add: Wulipu Village,Daxiangshan Town, Gangu County,Tianshui City,Gansu Province
Tel: 0938-5622481
Entrance Fee: cny 40
Opening Hours: 08:00 - 18:00