The giant reclining Buddha statue in the Zhangye Dafo Temple in Northwest China's Gansu province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Dafo Temple, or Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye, Northwest China's Gansu province, is renowned for housing Asia's largest reclining Buddha statue, made in 1098 during the Xixia regime (1038-1227).

Measuring some 35 meters long, the gigantic statue is made of clay on a wooden frame, depicting the Gautama Buddha's attainment of nirvana, with his ten disciples standing behind him. Also on view in the hall displaying the statue are murals dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) which depict stories of the Silk Road.