The Giant Buddha Temple (Dafo Temple) in Zhangye city, about 600 kilometers west of Gansu's provincial capital Lanzhou, is named after a statue worshiped inside. The temple, also known as "Wofo Temple" (Sleeping Buddha Temple), is very famous because it contains the biggest indoor sleeping Buddha in all of China. The buddha is 34.5 meter long and its shoulder spans across a width of 7.5 meters. Up to eight people can stand on the ear of the reclining Buddha. It has a wooden interior that is five stories tall.
Established in 1098 (Western Xia Dynasty), it was rebuilt during the
Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)--this happens a lot, and is unfortunate, because it is not the most artistic time in China. Due to its extensive history, it is listed as
an immovable cultural relic under state protection. Truthfully, the newly painted exterior buildings around the temple are just as beautiful as the Buddha itself, and it is a lovely place to walk around.
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