The Lingshan Grand Buddha stands on a hillside about 25 kilometres west of central Wuxi, above the Xiangfu Temple complex. The scale is genuinely impressive in person in a way that photographs don't fully convey — the statue is so large that visitors move around the base without getting a sense of the whole, and the best view is from across the reflecting pool at the bottom of the hill.
The surrounding Lingshan Buddhist Cultural Scenic Area is a major pilgrimage and tourist destination. The bronze lotus fountain that opens dramatically every hour, the Brahma Palace meditation hall, and the formal temple complex combine to make this a substantial half-day excursion. The site is best visited on a weekday, when the crowds are manageable. A direct bus service runs from the city centre.