Renshou Niujiao Village｜A Hidden Gem for Family Hiking

The Renshou Giant Buddha, also known as the Niujiao Village Giant Buddha, is located in Yingtou Village, Gaojia Town, 35 kilometers northeast of Renshou County. Completed in 707 AD during the first year of Emperor Zhongzong's Jinglong era in the Tang Dynasty, this 1,300-year-old statue is nationally unique as a "chest Buddha." The Niujiao Village Giant Buddha bears striking similarities to the Leshan Giant Buddha in engineering layout and figure posture. Since it was completed 96 years earlier than the Leshan Giant Buddha, some believe it served as one of the prototypes for the latter. The Buddha features a plump face with smooth lines and a serene expression. Its large head and broad shoulders contrast humorously with disproportionately small 🙏 hands—barely the size of its nose—adding a touch of whimsy. This imbalanced proportion, combined with its chest-only design, suggests the statue might have been hastily completed. The road to Niujiao Village is lined with loquat, walnut, and peach trees. During this season, golden loquats hang heavily from branches, many left unpicked and slightly shriveled. After tasting two casually plucked fruits, I was stunned 😱—I'd never eaten loquats this sweet! We inquired about purchasing from a local elderly couple, who explained the tree-ripened ones had dried out. Instead, they offered freshly picked, plump loquats at just ¥1 per jin. Without a digital payment option, we handed over ¥5 in cash, expecting a small portion. To our surprise, they filled an entire bucket for us—so heavy we could barely carry it. 🏨 Hotel Recommendation: Jinji Hotel The minimalist yet elegant decor shines ✨ with complimentary LG commercial washers, dryers, and individually packaged detergent ✨ Rooms feature Nongfu Spring water paired with Zhenghe white tea bags—perfect for hot or cold brewing—elevating the experience! Each room's mini fridge ensures endless tea freedom 🤩 ✨ Smart panels control AC, lighting, curtains, and TV seamlessly ✨ Silicon-free, fragrance-free bath products demonstrate thoughtful purity, using genuine essential oils without additives ✨ A disposable shaving kit for business travelers (with an extra to take at checkout) showcases next-level consideration #