Hongshan Park in Urumqi

Hongguangshan Grand Buddha Temple is located near Kazibay in the north of Urumqi, on Hongguang Mountain. The temple complex is the largest Han Chinese Buddhist temple in Northwest China. The main buildings include the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, the Guanyin Hall, and the Ksitigarbha Hall. The mountain gate of the Grand Buddha Temple is 17 meters wide and 15.6 meters high, grand and majestic. The front side features the inscription 'Great Compassion to Awaken the World' by Zhang Cangshu, Vice Chairman of the Xinjiang Calligraphers Association, while the back side features the inscription 'Great Compassion for the World' by calligrapher Min Yinnan. From the mountain gate, one can descend slowly along 88 wide bluestone steps, flanked by white marble carved railings. Below the steps, on a lotus pedestal, are a pair of Buddha footprints, known as the Buddha Foot Altar. The Shakyamuni Buddha on Hongguang Mountain was first constructed on July 19, 2002, and completed at the end of 2004, taking two years to build. It is acclaimed as the 'largest standing bronze gilded Buddha in the Western Regions,' with a total height of 40.8 meters, a diameter of 14 meters, a Buddha hand height of 5.7 meters, and Buddha ears reaching 2.6 meters. The Buddha statue was meticulously crafted by artisans using brass, with a total copper usage of 98 tons and a total investment of 9.5 million yuan. It is said to be the third-largest standing bronze gilded Shakyamuni Buddha statue in Asia. Behind the Shakyamuni Buddha statue is a complex of buildings covering an area of about 30,000 square meters. The temple faces east and west, with main structures including the Mahavira Hall, the Hall of Five Hundred Arhats, the Thousand-Hand Guanyin Hall, the Ksitigarbha Hall, the Bell and Drum Tower, and side rooms. The architectural style is generally consistent with inland Han Chinese Buddhist temples. Hongshan Park Scenic Area is a comprehensive natural mountain park integrating tourism, classical features, cultural connotations, and physical fitness. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and one of the new top ten scenic spots in Urumqi.