The Giant Buddha statue at Leshan is one of China’s most visited attractions and for very good reason. The towering sculpture was carved out of the cliffs at the junction of the Min, Dadu and Qingyu rivers. It was constructed during the Tang dynasty and is the world’s largest pre-modern statue.

The site is seriously impressive and highly worth a visit but unfortunately most of China agrees with that statement. It can be horrendously busy if you go at peak season. Do not try to visit here during any national holiday as it is vary likely that every ticket has been booked in advance. Also the crowds would drive you insane.

Basic Travel Information

  • Province – Sichuan
  • Season to Visit – Any
  • Route there – Train from Chengdu, bus from Emeishan
  • Duration – half a day
  • Recommended – If you can find a quiet time, definitely

My Story

I visited the Leshan Giant Buddha in November with two lovely Russians I had met in Emeishan.

We got the public bus across to Leshan then tried and failed to find luggage storage at the station. Normally high-speed rail stations have them but not here and the large code lockers were all full. Luckily Leshan is prepared for this and all the shops and restaurants across the road from the buddha scenic area will store your bag for you for little money. Exactly how safe this is I have no idea; it was not an issue for us.

Leshan Giant Buddha, China
Crowds, Leshan Giant Buddha, China

I was stunned when we got inside… it was quiet!! I’d been so prepared to hate this place and fight through the crowds for any passable picture of the Buddha. Nope not so much! Lots of space, no queues for the cliff walk and not even that many people at the bottom. It was lovely and meant I could actually appreciate the Buddha and its surroundings properly.

I’d expected to be screaming internally the whole time, very happy to be wrong!

Logistics & Prices

Local bus to/from Emeishan – local bus 601, 5 RMB, from Baoguo Emeishan Bus station to Leshan Giant Buddha scenic area via Leshan train station

High speed train to/from Chengdu East Station or Chengdu South Station, 0hr40 – 1hr25, 51 RMB

Bus between Leshan Coach Station and Chengdu, 40 RMB, 2hrs

Local buses 2 and 601 available from outside Leshan Station to the scenic area 2 – 5 RMB

Entry fee: 80 RMB for the scenic area (any season)

Ferry fee 70 RMB (any season)

Luggage storage: 10 RMB

Places Nearby & Trip Planning

Include in any trip around Sichuan along with the following:

  • Chengdu
  • Emeishan

When to Visit

Any season, not peak times, November was quiet for me

Further Information

These websites were my favourite sources of general information for this location:

China travel guide

Wikitravel

Last Updated: November 2019

Alistair Roweth
Alistair RowethTraveller & Tutor
I've spent more than 2 years travelling around the world. I hope you enjoy my attempt to write down and pass on some of the information that I have learned along the way.

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