Sleeping Buddha Temple

Located on the eastern side of the Fragrant Hills, the temple was built in the 7th century during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). It was enlarged during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to accommodate a huge bronze reclining Buddha, cast in 1320 and weighing 25,000 kilograms. Cast in lacquered bronze in 1331, this magnificent Buddha measures more than 15 feet in length and weighs more than fifty-four tons, making it the largest bronze statue in China.

The 5.2-meter-long Sleeping Buddha depicts Sakyamuni, one of the founders of Buddhism. Surrounding it are 12 sculptures illustrating 12 of Sakyamuni's disciples mourning him.