Leshan Giant Buddha (Leshan Dafo)

The Leshan Giant Buddha (or Leshan Dafo) is a statue of Maitreya (a Bodhisattva usually represented as a very stout monk with a broad smile on his face and with his naked breast and paunch exposed to view) in sitting posture.

The Buddha is located to the east of Leshan City, Sichuan Province, at the confluence of three rivers, namely, Min River, Qingyi River, and Dadu River. The statue makes itself the most renowned scenic spot in Leshan City. In December, 1996, the location of the Buddha was included by UNESCO on the list of the World Heritage sites. 

History of  Leshan Giant Buddha

Begun in the year 713 in the Tang Dynasty, and finished in the year 803, the statue took people more than 90 years to carve. During these years, thousands of workers had expended their efforts and wisdom on the project. As the biggest carved stone Buddha in the world, Leshan Giant Buddha is featured in poetry, song and story. Facing the river, the Buddha has symmetrical posture and looks which have been beautifully captured in its solemn stillness. It is 71 meters (about 233 feet) high, and has three-meter-long (about 11 feet) fingers. The eight-meter-long (about 27 feet) instep is big enough for one hundred people to sit on and the 28-meter-wide (about 92 feet) shoulder is large enough to be a basketball playground.

It was a monk called Hai Tong who initiated the project. His concern was for the safety of the long-suffering people who earned their living around the confluence of the three rivers. Tempestuous waters ensured that boat accidents were numerous and the simple people put the disaster down to the presence of a water spirit. So Hai Tong decided to carve a statue beside the river thinking that the Buddha would bring the water spirit under control. Besides, the fallen stones dropped during the carving would reduce the water force there. After 20 years' begging alms, he finally accumulated enough money for the plan. When some local government officials had designs on tempting this amount of money, Hai Tong said that they could get his eyeball but not the money raised for the Buddha. After Hai Tong dug out his eyeball, these officials ran away scared. The project was half done when Hai Tong passed away, and two of his disciples continued the work. After a total of 90 years' hard work, the project was finally completed.

Build of  Leshan Giant Buddha

The charm of the Buddha lies not only in its size but also in its architectural artistry. There are 1,021 buns in the Buddha's coiled hair. These have been skillfully embedded in the head. The skill is so wonderful that the 1,021 buns seem integral to the whole. Another architectural highlight is the drainage system. This system is made up of some hidden gutters and channels, scattered on the head and arms, behind the ears and in the clothes. This system, which helps displace rainwater and keep the inner part dry, plays an important part in the protection of the Buddha.
The large pair of ears, each seven meters (about 23 feet) long, is made of wood and is decorated by mud on the surface. For craftsmen of thousands of years ago, it was not easy to fix these to the stone head.

Having such a long history and such worldwide fame, the renovation of the Buddha has received extensive attention both at home and abroad. The Buddha was nearly destroyed by the erosion of wind and rain before 1963 when the Chinese government began the repairing work. At present, the maintenance work is in progress under the instruction of experts from UNESCO.

Source :- http://amazing-n-weirdworld.blogspot.in/2010/09/leshan-giant-buddha-leshan-dafo.html

Top 10 Best Foods for Healthy, Glowing, Pimple Free Skin

There is a lot of debate surrounding which foods are essentially ‘bad’ for your skin – which may be covered in a Top 10 list at a later date. However it’s a lot harder trying to improve your skin from the inside out by focusing on the ‘bad’ so we thought we’d give you some of the good to go off, to get you started. One of the most important things in food to keep your skin looking fresh is Vitamin A, which will be explained in more detail in some of the items below. You should also look out for any foods with protein or “good” fats – protein to strengthen your skin to keep from faster effects of aging, and good fats to keep your skin looking young, fresh and full. Foods rich in any of the above, and antioxidants, will all be beneficial, however we’ve chosen the 10 best foods for your skin and they are as follows…

10. Mangoes

Packed with Vitamin A, which increases the turnover rate of cells, mangoes will put the glow back into your skin. As importantly, mangoes reduce dryness and flakiness. If your skin is more of the oily type mangoes will still benefit you – often oil is produced as the skins overreaction to initial dryness or dehydration of the skin. Mangoes are the perfect example of why vitamin A is so good for your skin.

9. Deep Red/Purple Foods

Deep red or purple foods such as beetroot, stone fruits, purple kale, the acai berry and more, work wonders for the skin. With high levels of flavonoids, anthocyanins, and resveratrol, the benefits of purple or deep red foods are too numerous to state. Put simply, these foods prevent aging, strengthen skin from imperfections, and help even skin tone by fighting the redness from weak blood vessels.

8. Yoghurt

Lower fat dairy products work wonders for the skin. While you do have to be careful to stay away from full cream milk, which sometimes contains hormones that will wreak havoc, most low fat dairy products will be beneficial. The best option is yoghurt, high in protein as well as vitamin A. The protein keeps your skin resistant to wrinkles, and vitamin A is proven to do wonders to clear up and even out skin (as mentioned in the benefits under ‘Mangoes’)

7. Fish

Fish are high in the good fats, specifically Omega-3. Omega-3 works wonders for the skin, as it is a natural antidote to inflammation. This helps specifically in keeping minor skin irritations and unevenness at bay. The best fish for this purpose is usually Salmon, however tuna, shellfish, and most other seafood dishes also offer up similar advantages. Another option is to buy fish oil tablets, however it is always more beneficial for your body to try to get the most nutrients out of your diet before turning to supplements.

6. Flax Seeds/Flax Seed Oil

An excellent alternative to the fatty oils in fish which benefit your skin, Flax Seeds edge their way further up the list because they’re suitable for a wider range of people – either those who don’t enjoy the taste of fish or fish oil tablets, or vegetarians. As with fish, the Omega-3 helps to fight inflammations in the skin, promoting an even skin tone and that healthy glow.

5. Nuts (Mainly Almonds and Walnuts)

Nuts also contain good fats, however depending on which nuts you’re eating there are many more benefits derived to help out your skin. In almonds there is a lot of Vitamin E that, as you’d know if you’ve ever tried to get rid of a scar, is excellent for skin renewal. Vitamin E also protects your facial tissue from minor harm and irritations, which are often the start of pimples. Walnuts contain a lot of Omega-3 which in this form will help to improve skin elasticity, as well as containing copper which boosts collagen.

4. Berries (Mainly Blueberries)

Rich in Vitamin C, berries support the production of collagen, the layer under the top of the skin. A strong foundation helps to prevent wrinkles and the effects of stress and aging on the skin. Blueberries are especially a rich source of antioxidants, which keep your skin young and glowing as well as keeping the rest of your body healthy.

3. Green leafy vegetables

Dark, leafy green vegetables contain beta-carotene, which is an antioxidant which helps repair skin sells and is reported to help fight cancers such as skin cancers. Green and leafy vegetables will help repair your skin from sun damage, as well as flushing out your system, strengthening your skin. Beta-carotene is also converted in your body to Vitamin A, the benefits of which should be drilled into you by now.

2. Green tea

For even more antioxidants, drink green tea. An all-round detox for your body, green tea helps to flush out infections and brighten the skin with hydration, as well as protecting it with antioxidants and evening out skin tone. The benefits of green tea have been well discussed, and it has earned the number 2 spot for being such an undoubtedly healthy drink – many varieties now exist and are readily available in supermarkets, so if straight green tea is a bit much for you there are alternatives with just as many benefits!

1. Water

Although it should go without saying, for many people it doesn’t. Water is the be all and end all force – if you are dehydrated, your skin will be dehydrated. This has the obvious effects on your appearance – dry skin, sullen skin, looking tired or pale – and is so easy to remedy! There has been a bit of contention surrounding how much water you require each day, however the rule of thumb is that by the time you’re thirsty you’re already dehydrated. Keep a water bottle nearby and your skin will thank you – if you haven’t been drinking enough water previously you will feel the difference almost immediately!

You may be thinking that there hasn’t been much mention of ‘acne fighting’ foods – this is for good reason. Often the above are touted as acne fighting, although this isn’t technically correct. Extreme cases of acne are usually best treated medicinally or with consultation of a dermatologist. For those of you who get the odd outbreak here and there the best possible thing you can do for your skin is strengthen it – both physically, by eating foods with collagen and forming a good foundation for your skin, and figuratively. The stronger your immune system is to infections, the stronger your skin is to infections – which is what pimples are the majority of the time.
To put it simply – if skin is weaker and less healthy in the first place, it’s much easier for dirt to leave its mark and form a pimple. On the same token, if your skin is weaker and dry, this can cause an overproduction in oil, thus causing pimples. Obviously I encourage good skin care and routines, however the best way to fix your skin troubles in from the inside out.

The most important thing to focus on is to increase your general good health – so long as you aren’t overloading your body with junk including cigarettes and alcohol, and you keep up a relatively healthy diet and lifestyle, your skin will soon show the benefits. Trying to incorporate the above into your diet will simply speed up the process of discovering your healthy, glowing skin.

Source :- http://www.top10thingsblog.com/top-10-foods-for-healthy-pimple-free-skin/

Top 10 Most Devastating Earthquakes Ever

Out of all the natural calamities that horrify mankind, earthquakes rank to be the most dangerous. Earthquakes are a threat to mankind because their occurrence cannot be predicted in advance and hence no warnings can be given to the people residing in those areas to vacate and move to other places. There have been many earthquakes in our history but here we have shortlisted the top 10 most devastating earthquakes ever.

10. HOKKAIDO, JAPAN

The earthquake that occurred in Hokkaido Japan in the year 1930 was one of the deadliest earthquakes that ever happened in Japan. We are well aware of the fact that Japan is an earthquake prone country but out of all the earthquakes this one has been the worst in Japan. The earthquake was so intense that it even resulted in the triggering of Tsunami that caused almost 137, 000 fatalities. The region was again attacked by earthquake in 2003 but this time it was not as deadly as the 1930 earthquake.

9. ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN

An earthquake of 7.3 magnitude hit Ashgabat on the 6th of October in the year 1948. It was revealed by the Government that almost 110, 000 people became victims to this earthquake and lost their lives.

8. KANTO, JAPAN

A much severe earthquake occurred in 1923 along with intense firestorms and typhoons that resulted in a massive destruction of Tokyo as well as the other surrounding areas. It was later revealed that almost 142, 000 people lost their lives in this earthquake and around 38000 were immediately burned due to the effect of the fire tornado.

7. HAIYUAN, CHINA

Haiyuan experienced a very fatal earthquake in the year 1920. This earthquake was believed to put an end to the lives of almost 200, 000 people. Haiyuan is an earthquake prone area because it is located at the northeastern side of the Tibetan Plateau. The earthquake was so intense that it destroyed a long area of 237 kms.

6. ARDABIL, IRAN

The Ardabil earthquake took away 150, 000 lives with it and also became the cause of the destruction of the largest city in the northwestern Persia. Persia had not overcome the loss from this earthquake when it was again hit by another earthquake in 1997.

5. DAMGHAN, IRAN

The 856 Damghan earthquakes had a very devastating effect on Iran. Iran has always been the victim of most of the earthquakes owing to its location near to the fault lines. This earthquake was the reason of the loss of 200,000 lives and was followed by the Bam earthquake which occurred after about a millennium and reminded us of this massive destruction.

4. ALEPPO, SYRIA

This earthquake took place in the year 1138, many years ago but had a very horrifying effect on the nation. An estimation of 230, 000 people lost their lives in addition to a massive destruction of the town as well as the neighborhood. It was of very high magnitude and even resulted in tsunami.

3. INDIAN OCEAN

This earthquake occurred in 2004 and the memories of the losses incurred due to this earthquake are still quite fresh in the minds of the people. It was an undersea earthquake that had an epicenter off the western coast of Indonesia. This earthquake even gave rise to Tsunamis that smashed till the coastal regions as well. It resulted in the loss of 227, 898 lives.

2. TANSGHAN, CHINA

An earthquake struck the Tansghan region in China in the year 1976. The magnitude was so high that it devastated the whole area and took away 655, 000 lives though the Government officially claimed a loss of 240, 000 lives. It marked an end to an era because the Prime Minister as well as the communist leader too lost their lives in this devastating earthquake.

1. SHAANXI, CHINA

Out of the many earthquakes that have ever struck China or other parts of the world, the Shaanxi earthquake that hit China in the year 1556 had the most devastating results. With an 8.0 magnitude this earthquake resulted in the loss of 820, 000 lives. The intensity of the earthquake was such that most of the valleys and hills were instantly formed as well as the rivers were forced to change their course of flow. As per the records the Shaanxi earthquake in China was the most destructive of all the earthquakes that have ever taken place.

Source :- http://www.top10thingsblog.com/top-10-devastating-earthquakes/

Top 10 Things To Do In Las Vegas

Whenever any of us would think or plan of going to Las Vegas, the first thing that would strike our minds to do there would be nothing other than gamble. Many of us are still unaware of the other spectacular things we can do there. So here in this section we will discuss about the top ten things that we can and we should do on our visit to Las Vegas if we want to make our trip memorable for life.

10. SIGHT SEEING FOR JUST FIVE DOLLARS

There is a city tour double Decker bus known as the Deuce bus service that takes you around the various popular places to visit in Las Vegas. In this expensive city of gambling, the sight seeing costs you only 2 dollars for a single ride. You can also take it for as low as 5 dollars for the day and hop on and hop off whilst touring around the city. So when you are not on a long vacation then taking the bus tour would be the best option to cover up all the major attractions in Las Vegas in just one day.

9. GO OUT FOR MALLING AND SHOPPING

If you are a shopping freak and would love to spend money then you should certainly take a walk around the fashion show mall which is a very popular mall in Las Vegas. In addition to the world class shopping experience it brings to your entertainment as well. The mall has a billion dollar cloud projection screen in the center of the mall which hovers entertaining images when you are tired of shopping.

8. REDISCOVER THE CHILD IN YOU

If you want to relive your childhood days then the best thing to do in Las Vegas is to do to Skymania.Skymania comprises of a number of trampolines. The floor as well as the walls are padded and cushioned so that you can jump as high as you can without the danger of getting hurt. Skymania is the only outlet in Las Vegas that allows you to jump in joy and enjoy as you used to when you were a child.

7. TAKE A LOOK AT THE BELLAGIO FINE ART GALLERY

Top 10 Things To Do in Las Vegas

For those of you who are interested in art work the Bellagio fine art gallery at the Bellagio casino resort is a must see on your list of to do things in Las Vegas. The gallery exhibits very unique and private collections from various sources from all over the world and is open from 10 in the morning  to 8 in the evening  everyday. Ticket sales close at 7.30 each night so make sure you’re there before the ticket office closes!

6. TAKE A LOOK AT THE EIFFEL TOWER REPLICA

Top 10 Things To Do in Las Vegas

In addition to the general sight seeing the most rewarding of all the things to do in Las Vegas would be to take a look at the beautiful architectural structure of the Eiffel tower replica that is created in the Paris Las Vegas Casino Hotel. It reminds you of the actual Eiffel tower in Paris and is certainly worth seeing.

5. CHECK OUT THE AUTO COLLECTION AT THE IMPERIAL PALACE

Top 10 Things To Do in Las Vegas

If you are an auto enthusiast then there could not be a better thing for you to do in Las Vegas than to check out the imperial palace auto collection showroom that has a display of more than 300 cars that are for sale. It ranks as the largest car showroom in the whole world and opens daily from 10 A.M-6 P.M.

4. ENJOY THE DOLPHIN HABITAT ATTRACTION

The dolphin habitat attraction at the mirage Las Vegas casino hotel offers you an insight into the life of this attractive and fascinating creature. The hotel has an aquarium as well in the lobby so if you are looking for options for free things to do in Vegas then checking out the aquarium would be a good alternative.

3. TAKE GAMING CLASSES

There are many hotels in Vegas that teach you how to gamble and give you classes on the same. The classes are for 5 days and for a half hour each day that makes you learn about the various rules and strategies of gambling and playing poker as well.

2. ENJOY THE ADVENTURES OF THE THRILL RIDES

Stratosphere Las Vegas casino hotel gives you a great experience into the adventurous world through its thrill rides that are scary and dangerous. You can have a roller coaster experience that is a must to do as it cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

1. GAMBLING

The things to do list in Las Vegas cannot end without the mention of Gambling being added to it. This certainly does not require any additional information that Vegas is known all over for the gambling experience. You would find many casinos that would play all your favourite games such as roulette, cards, poker and blackjack.

Source :- http://www.top10thingsblog.com/top-10-things-to-do-in-las-vegas/

Top 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Thailand

When you think of Thailand you are automatically reminded of the incredible beaches. Thailand is a very popular tourist destination especially for those who love to play with sand and water, as well as enjoy beach sport activities. Since there are a number of renowned beaches in Thailand it becomes difficult to decide which ones to visit on your holiday if you want to get the most bang for your buck. Let us focus on the top 10 beaches in Thailand that are certainly worth seeing whether your trip be for 2 weeks or 2 months.

10. HUA HIN BEACH

Hua Hin beach resort was amongst the first beach resort in Thailand which was found in the year 1920 and is regarded as having the most spectacular and distinguishing beauty a beach should have. Though it is not that good when it comes to other beach attractions like water sports but it is known all over for its astounding sea front that extends for about 3 miles.

9. KOH MUN NORK

This is quite a small and a private beach that is located at the southern part of the gulf of Siam. Irrespective of being small it is called a paradise for those beach lovers who love to experience a secluded island adventure, The beach is surrounded by beautiful, luscious and green palm trees and gives the visitors a white sandy beach type environment.

8. LAMAI BEACH, SAMUI

Lamai beach is one of the most perfect beaches in Thailand that provides a perfect blend of all beach activities. This beach is jam packed during the seasonal time but there are a number of other activities as well that are catered to at this beach for people who are not in the water. There are a number of restaurants and bars that light up at night and create a party scene at the beach.

7. WHITE SANDS BEACH, KOH CHANG

White sands beach is known for its white sand that gives you a very cool feeling. The beach is located about 5 hours drive from the main Bangkok city. The beach is so gentle that it emerges with the sea and during low tides appears to be quite wide that many youngsters use it as a football playground.

6. KATA BEACH, PHUKET

Kata beach is located in the southern Phuket is known for its calmness and quietness. This beach is not like other beaches that are always crowded and hence provides a very peaceful environment to the visitors. The beach is perfect in terms of scenic beauty and especially during the low tide season you can experience quite intense waves that provide you with good opportunity for surfing.

5. RAILEY BEACH, KRABI

Railey beach gives you a perfect desert island kind of a look and you can only reach there through boats. It is a very quiet and sporty beach that is not very crowded most of the year except for the seasonal time. This small beach is surrounded by majestic cliffs and has small islands on the horizon. The beach shows crystal clear blue water waves.

4. PATTAYA BEACH

Pattaya beach is a very nice and crowded beach that falls under the category of the top beaches in Thailand. The beach is easily accessible and provides opportunities for various thrilling and adventurous beach activities.

3. KOH LARN, PATTAYA

Koh Larn beach in Pattaya gives you a much peaceful experience of the beach if you are tired of the crowd around the pattya beach. The beach is located only a few kilometers away from the coast and takes about 40 minutes to reach. At the beach there is a special attraction of renting a deckchair on which you can relax for the whole day long and enjoy your delicious meals in the restaurants around.

2. SAIREE BEACH, KO TAO

Sairee beach is a silent beach that will take you 2-3 hours to reach from Ko Tao through a ferry ride. This beach is known for its affordability and the special massage treatments. You even get to relax here without any disturbance for whole day long and can enjoy the delicacies of foods.

1. PATONG BEACH, PHUKET

Patong beach deserves the first position in the category of top 10 beaches in Thailand because of its excellent beauty, warm and clear water, and wide coastline, soft and gentle white sand in addition to a number of restaurants, shopping malls and hotels in close vicinity. It is a crowded, noisy and a very popular beach that attracts the maximum number of visitors whether during the day for jet skis or at night for night life parties.

Source :- http://www.top10thingsblog.com/top-10-most-beautiful-beaches-in-thailand/

Top 10 Weird Shoes

This weird shoe whilst having a cd player in it can make sure you never go without any sound. It is based off the model of the Nike Air and it even has a play stop and pause button to make sure you never miss a beat. Personally I am not too sure how well this shoe would cope with being run with but oh well its cool, isn’t it?

Have you ever wanted a weird shoe where you could hit someone, well now you can. This boxing glove shoes are designed specifically to give someone a kick or a ‘punch’ with your feet. I do not know whether they would be good for your feet’s health so I suggest if you manage to find a pair to probably not wear them 24/7 as you may need some physiotherapy after.

Some weird shoes have purposes; this one however, does not. You are expected to walk around on the ball of your foot. So basically you could have just gone bare foot with some colourful decoration around your ankle and it may produce the same result. Actually, who am I kidding this would grab the attention of anyone who saw you wearing this weird shoe.

YES! Exactly what I wanted for Christmas, weird pair of shoes that look exactly like another set of feet. However, with these I can show everyone the hair on top of my feet is a actually shoelace.  I cannot comment on the comfort rating of these shoes however they do seem to be pretty appealing to the eye and much more comfortable than some of the other weird shoes on this list.

Ever wanted a fast car… Well now you can get some for your feet. I do not think they make you run much faster so don’t try to go breaking world records in them. Unless the record is of course world’s weirdest pair of shoes. These shoes even come with a set of headlights and rims to make sure your weird shoes are totally pimpled out before you get in for a joyride.

Banana Heels, yeah why not.  These days everything is being invented so why not produce a pair of heels that are like bananas. You will definitely attract the stares if you put a pair of these shoes on so don’t think its because you didn’t wear deodorant. Just a warning before you put them on though, try not to slip on the banana peel…

One of my favourite weirdest shoes is the Giraffe shoe. What an extremely long neck it has. It is one of my favourites due to the fact you could wear this shoe and get away with some fashion as well. I am not sure if it is made from real giraffe so probably check before you get a pair.

Love bugs and creepy crawlies? Then this weird shoe is for you. Storing a Tarantula in your shoe may cause some screams from people walking by but you will definitely be the life of the party if you have these weird shoes. Personally I am not sure whether it is actually against laws to keep animals in your shoes and I am also not sure how you actually get them in or if it comes with them but I still cannot be less amazed by this shoe.

Going fishing? Then purchase a pair of these fish sandals/thongs/flip flops. Whilst they might be slippery and scaly they will provide hours of entertainment and even when you come home empty handed from that fishing session you can at least have a joke that you caught something.

Personally I think this is the weirdest shoe to ever be made. I just stare at it and go WHYYYY. It looks like a sac or pod where an alien would live or maybe a cacoon for a caterpillar.  Its description calls it the bubble shoe but I’m not sure why you would want a bubble on the back of your foot.

So that is our top 10 list of weird shoes. If you found this article interesting please feel free to like it on Facebook and share it to your friends. Also, comments are appreciated and check out the rest of our website. Hope you had as much fun reading this as I did creating it!

Source :- http://www.top10thingsblog.com/top-10-weird-shoes/