Colossal Buddha relief carved into cliff in NW China's Gansu

(ECNS) -- A cliff relief in Luban Canyon located in Tianshui, Gansu Province, is reputed as the "world's first cliff Buddha carving."

It was built in 559, the third year of the Northern Zhou Dynasty (557-581) and carved on a natural cliff with a length exceeding 150 meters and a width of more than 60 meters.

The main Buddha is 42.3 meters high, which has preserved fine murals, coloured sculptures and grottoes of different dynasties.

It has a history of over 1,400 years and is known as the "Giant Cliff Buddha." The relief modelling is both simple and solemn.