Set in the cliffs around the Youyuangou Valley in the Mangnai Administrative Committee of Qinghai, these Buddha-like statues were created by years of natural weathering and erosion.

Open to the elements and free to the animals living in the area, the Buddhas are now set to become a major scenic spot and tourist attraction.

Experts say that the valley was formed out of the red malmstone of the Tertiary Period. Exposed to wind, rain and sun, the malmstone has decayed and gradually taken shapes resembling Buddha with the biggest measuring 700 meters tall.

Along the cliffs stretching several kilometers, are scattered groups of figures with vivid features. Some sit still, meditating, and some stand tall, gazing into the distance.

Li Chenglu, head of the Mangnai Administrative Committee, said that the majestic landscape recorded the earth's 70 million years of crustal movement and looked much grander than man-made artwork.

According to him, the administrative committee has plans to turn the Buddha figure museum a major scenic spot and let more people know the Qaidam.

(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2002)