Great Buddha Temple
Zhangye, Zhangye
A 34-meter reclining Buddha inside a temple that has guarded the Silk Road since 1098.
Zhangye's Great Buddha Temple houses one of the world's largest reclining Buddhas - 34 meters of serene gilt lying across a hall that has stood since 1098. The temple was a way station on the Silk Road, and its murals and library hint at the travelers who passed.
It is quiet, atmospheric, and an easy hour in the old town. The wooden Buddha's calm smile is worth the detour alone.
Best for: A 34-meter Buddha that has slept through a thousand years.
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