Where three rivers meet in southern Sichuan, Leshan is famous for the Giant Buddha — a 71-metre figure carved into a red cliff over a thousand years ago — and as the gateway to sacred Mount Emei.
History & culture
Begun in 713 AD to calm the turbulent river confluence, the Leshan Giant Buddha took ninety years to carve and remains the tallest pre-modern Buddha statue on earth, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Mount Emei.
What to see & do
- ◆The Leshan Giant Buddha, seen from cliff stairs or by boat
- ◆River-confluence boat cruise for the full view
- ◆Mahao cliff tombs and Wuyou Temple
- ◆Old town riverside snacks
- ◆Springboard to Mount Emei
What to eat
- ●Bobo chicken (skewers in spicy sauce)
- ●Leshan-style crispy beef and tofu snacks
- ●Sweet-skin duck
Getting there
High-speed rail (Leshan station) puts it ~1h from Chengdu; the Buddha park and boat docks are a short ride from the station.
Avoid the pitfalls
- Cliff staircases down to the Buddha's feet get very congested — go early or take the boat.
- The boat gives the iconic full-height view but is brief; combine both if you can.
- Pair with Mount Emei (see that guide) over two days.
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