The Zhongyuan Giant Buddha Scenic Area is located in Shangtang Village, Zhaocun Township, Lushan County, Pingdingshan City, Henan Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The core attraction of the scenic area is the 208-meter-tall Zhongyuan Giant Buddha, of which the Buddha statue itself is 108 meters tall, the lotus pedestal is 20 meters tall, the vajra seat is 25 meters tall, and the Sumeru seat is 55 meters tall. The giant Buddha is cast in tin bronze, using a total of 3,300 tons of copper, 108 kilograms of gold, and 15,000 tons of special steel. It is currently the tallest Buddhist statue in the world. The scenic area covers an area of 11,700 mu and consists of the Giant Buddha area, Foquan Temple, Yuanxin Platform, Fuhui Avenue, and other sections.
History and Culture
Construction of the Zhongyuan Giant Buddha began in 1997. It was designed by the renowned architect Li Zuyuan and unveiled with a consecration ceremony on September 29, 2008. The construction of the giant Buddha took 12 years and cost 1.2 billion RMB.
Foquan Temple within the scenic area was first built in the Tang Dynasty, more than 1,300 years ago, and is a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit in Henan. The temple still preserves cultural relics and historic sites such as a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree and stone inscriptions from successive dynasties.
The construction of the Zhongyuan Giant Buddha is not only an engineering feat, but also reflects the development of contemporary Chinese Buddhist culture. The giant Buddha faces east, holds a Dharma wheel in the left hand, and displays the abhaya mudra with the right hand, symbolizing the boundlessness of the Dharma and universal salvation of all beings.
Main Attractions
Zhongyuan Giant Buddha
The Zhongyuan Giant Buddha is 208 meters tall in total, equivalent to the height of a 50-story building. The statue is cast entirely in tin bronze and covered with gold foil, shining golden in the sunlight. Inside the giant Buddha, there is an elevator that takes visitors directly to the observation platform at the lotus pedestal, where they can overlook the entire scenic area and the surrounding mountains.
Foquan Temple
Foquan Temple was first built during the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty. Inside the temple there is a spring that has never dried up for a thousand years, hence the name "Foquan" (Buddha Spring). The existing buildings include the mountain gate, Hall of Heavenly Kings, and Mahavira Hall. The temple is filled with ancient trees and has a quiet environment. Every year on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, the Buddha's Birthday, a grand bathing the Buddha ceremony is held here.
Yuanxin Platform
Yuanxin Platform is located directly in front of the giant Buddha and is the main place for worshipping the Buddha. The platform is paved with granite and has an area of 10,000 square meters, capable of accommodating 10,000 people worshipping at the same time. On the platform there are 108 prayer wheels, symbolizing the elimination of 108 kinds of afflictions.
Fuhui Avenue
Fuhui Avenue connects the scenic area entrance and the giant Buddha, with a total length of 2.5 kilometers and a width of 60 meters. On both sides of the avenue are arranged 500 arhat statues and 12 zodiac guardian deities, forming a solemn passage for Buddhist worship.
Bell and Drum Towers
The scenic area has a 38-meter-tall Bell Tower and Drum Tower. Inside hangs the "Century Auspicious Bell" weighing 116 tons, which is the largest externally struck bronze bell in the world. The deep and resonant sound of the bell can travel up to 10 kilometers.
Recommended Tour Route：
Recommended visiting route: Scenic area entrance → electric cart to Fuhui Avenue → walk to visit the 500 arhat statues → worship at Yuanxin Platform → visit the Zhongyuan Giant Buddha → take the elevator to the lotus pedestal → Foquan Temple → Bell and Drum Towers → return. The entire tour takes about 3-4 hours.
Travel Tips：
It is recommended to visit in the morning, when the light is suitable for photography.
Wear comfortable shoes, as the scenic area is large and requires a lot of walking.
Respect Buddhist etiquette and do not make loud noises.
You may learn about Buddhist culture in advance to enhance your visiting experience.
Bring sun protection items and take precautions against heatstroke in summer.
Combine with nearby Yaoshan and hot spring scenic areas for a two-day trip.
Notes：
This is a Buddhist holy site; please do not wear revealing clothing.
Do not touch the Buddha statues or cultural relics.
Smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating meat are prohibited inside the temple.
Observe the scenic area regulations and do not climb over guardrails.
Keep your personal belongings safe.
If you encounter Buddhist activities, please observe quietly.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From the direction of Zhengzhou, take the Zhengzhou-Yaoshan Expressway and get off at the Yaoshan exit, then drive about 15 kilometers following the signs.
Bus: There are direct tourist shuttle buses to the scenic area from downtown Pingdingshan.
High-speed rail: Take the high-speed rail to Pingdingshan West Station, then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus, which takes about 1.5 hours.
Airplane: The nearest airport is Luoyang Beijiao Airport, about 2.5 hours by car from the scenic area.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open all year round. Opening hours are 8:00-17:30 (peak season, April-October) and 8:30-17:00 (off-season, November-March). Foquan Temple has slightly shorter opening hours, 8:30-16:30. Visitors are advised to arrange their time reasonably and reserve 3-4 hours for the tour.
Tickets：
Tickets are 35 RMB per person.