Cradle of Civilization: Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye(1/1)

The Dafo Temple, or Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye, Northwest China's Gansu province, is renowned for housing Asia's largest reclining Buddha statue, made in 1098 during the Xixia regime (1038-1227). Measuring 34.5 meters long, the gigantic statue is made of clay on a wooden frame, depicting the Gautama Buddha's attainment of nirvana. The Temple is also home to over 10,000 valuable cultural relics, including the complete original version of Daming Sanzang Shengjiao Beicang, a precious sutra collection.