Updated on: June 30, 2018
Standing at 24 meters in height and perched atop a hill 74 meters above sea level, it is not surprising how majestic the Great Buddha Statue of Baguashan looks. Completed in 1961, it was once considered to be the biggest Buddha statue in Asia. The interior of the great statue is divided into 6 floors where at each level, one may stop to appreciate a series of life-sized statues telling the story of how Buddha achieved enlightenment. Once at the top, look through the eyes of the statue at the surrounding areas and the panoramic view of Changhua, the small city below Baguashan.
Behind the great statue lies the Great Buddha Temple where Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian beliefs can be found under one roof which is a rare occurrence as most temples built are dedicated to only one type of religion. The temple is 3-stories tall, with each storey devoted to one of the three beliefs. The first storey relays the teachings and life of the greatest sage and teacher Confucius while on the second storey, visitors may find a golden-faced status of Guan Yu, the Taoist God of War, along with his 64-kilograms sacred weapon. The highest storey is dedicated to Buddhism, to the venerable Gautama Buddha. Outside, there are two pagodas on each side of the temple that serve as a columbaria. The entire area is a charming sight to behold, even for the non-religious.