Leshan Giant Buddha
Leshan Giant Buddha — a 71-metre Tang Dynasty Buddha carved into a cliff face
Highlights — Why we like Leshan Giant Buddha
Intro
The Leshan Giant Buddha (乐山大佛) is the world's largest stone Buddha statue and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carved into the cliff face at the confluence of three rivers — the Min, Dadu, and Qingyi — the seated figure reaches 71 metres from head to toe and took 90 years to complete (713-803 AD). The scale only becomes apparent on the water: from a boat on the river below, the full figure is visible and the grandeur is breathtaking.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings. Spring and autumn for comfortable weather.
Getting There
160 kilometres south of Chengdu. High-speed train to Leshan (1.5 hours, ¥50) then taxi or bus to the scenic area (20 minutes). Coach tours from Chengdu take 3-4 hours each way.
Tickets & Entry
- Typical visit
3-4 hours
Local Tips
The cliff path descent provides close-up views but queues can be very long (1-2 hours at busy times). The river boat (¥70) provides the best overall view and circumvents the queue. Combine with Emei Mountain for a full day or overnight trip.
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