The city of Wuxi in Jiangsu Province, China is one of the oldest cities in the region. It is split into two by the Wuxi River and is a place of great natural beauty. The towering Lingshan Buddha Statue that overlooks the city adds to the ingrained spirituality and mysticism that surrounds this historic town. Due to its natural beauty and its location on the edge of Lake Tai, this area is known as the Pearl of Lake Tai. Also the city’s rapid urbanization, now booming economy and close proximity to Shanghai has earned it the nickname ‘Little Shanghai’.
Despite this apparent dichotomy between old and new, it remains undisputed that Wuxi holds a special place in the history of Jiangsu. The city was founded over three thousand years ago by two fleeing princes of the Zhou Dynasty who hoped to someday recapture the throne. However in the next couple of hundred years the importance of the city waned until 1949 when the Communist regime set up textile and other industrial operations here.
Due to its association with the Chinese royal family and its long history, this city is home to many ancient religious buildings; among them is the Xiangfu temple, which can trace its history back more than a thousand years. Next to this ancient temple is a modern addition, a gigantic bronze statue of Sakyamuni Buddha.
Known as the Lingshan Buddha Statue, it is well known all over the world for its artistic attributes as well as its sheer size. Standing at a height of 88 metres and being constructed of bronze weighing more than seven hundred tonnes makes this one of the largest Buddha statues in the world.
The hands of the Buddha are held out towards the world, wishing happiness and peace to all living beings. The Chinese character carved on the Buddha’s chest represents a solemn presence and righteousness. In the year 2008 a Brahma Palace, another religious institution in Chinese Buddhism was built close to the statue. Many tourists come here to pray and to gain blessings; those staying at a Wuxi hotel such as the Millennium Wuxi are within easy reach of this attraction. A 5 star hotel Wuxi offers great amenities to travellers as well as a relaxing holiday in the scenic beauty of the region.
