Leshan or Happy Mountain is located approximately 120 kilometers away from Chengdu in the Sichuan Province. It sits on the confluence of the Qingyi, Dadu and Minjiang rivers, and is usually a stopover for those en route to or from Emeishan - - one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains of China.

Read also: Things to Buy at Emeishan, China

Top Attractions in Leshan, Sichuan

Leshan Giant Buddha

The biggest reason for tourists traveling to Leshan is to witness the grandeur of the Leshan Giant Buddha. The stone statue is 71-metre in height and was built during the Tang Dynasty in year 713. It is carved out of a cliff, facing the junction of the Qingyi, Dadu and Minjiang rivers in the Southern Sichuan basin. Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone Buddha in the world and is also claimed to be the tallest pre-modern statue ever built. It was listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Entrance Fee to Leshan Giant Buddha

Entrance fee to the Leshan Giant Buddha is ¥90.
Touring the entire Leshan Giant Buddha site might take up to 6 hours, depending on the crowd and how much you can walk.

The famous Leshan Giant Buddha is aUNESCOWorld Heritage Site

Entrance to the Leshan Giant Buddha site

Visitors have to climb a few flight of stairs before getting to the Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha Travel Tips

• It's best to visit late in the afternoon or early evening to avoid having to compete and wait in the line among dozens of Chinese tour groups (expect to wait up to 1.5 hours)
• There are two ways of getting to the Buddha: By foot (climb the stairs, wait in the line) or by a ferry which stops right in front of the statue (¥70)
• Pack along water and food. You may find tea-houses here but food are either scarce or expensive. It is also good to have something to nibble while waiting in line
• Bring along a sweater. It gets very breezy once you are near the rivers
• Keep an eye out for the beautiful and unique carvings of various Buddhas while you climb down the stairs leading to the Giant Buddha
• Nine Turns Staircase are stairs leading down to the Giant Buddha. It is very steep so the elderly might need more time and effort to make it down. Be patient and understanding!

You were warned

Stairs are steep and winding

Be fascinated by how much the locals enjoy poking the holes in the walls

Clear view of the Buddha's head from the top

Beautiful Buddha carvings on the cliff walls

Comparison of the size of Buddha's foot and everything else

Have your time, effort and patience rewarded with a majestic sight all the way down

Nine Turns Staircase. Beautiful smiles on the faces of those who have made it to the feet

Leshan Giant Buddha overlooking the three rivers, giving protection to those traveling through them

Monk Haitong Cave

A Chinese monk named Haitong started the construction in hopes that the Giant Buddha would be able to calm the turbulent waters, allowing shipping vessels to pass the water safely. The project was completed 90 years after Haitong's death. Monk Haitong was said to be living in this 10-meter deep cave when the Grand Buddha was being carved.

Monk Haitong Cave, Leshan

Dafo Lake

The Dafo Lake features serene ambiance and is located behind the Grand Buddha, among the temples.

Dafo Lake, Leshan

Dafo Lake, Leshan

Leshan Confucian Temple

Read poetry and scholastic scriptures carved on wooden walls in this quiet and uncrowded temple.

Confucian Temple in Leshan, Sichuan

Stair leading to the temple

People-watching

People watching is a joy here. Locals from different provinces in China generally behave uniquely and if you are as big of a fan of China as I am, you'd enjoy guessing who is from where based on their appearances, outfits, and accents.

A monk with a selfie stick. And a cell phone. #mindblown

Temple-hopping in Leshan

There are a few temples surrounding the Giant Buddha and one of them requires an entrance fee.

Restoration work in progress. Efforts put into producing those intricate details are amazing.

An old man taking a rest in front of a temple

A pagoda near the exit - for those who still have the strength to walk

How to Get to Leshan, Sichuan

By High-Speed Train

To/From Chengdu East Railway Station (成都东站/Chéngdū-dōng Zhàn) - 45 minutes, ¥54
To/From Emeishan (峨嵋山/ Éméi shān) - 15 minutes, ¥11

By Bus

Accessible from Chengdu (2 hours), Emeishan (20 minutes), Jiajiang, Kangding, Meishan, Pengshan, Shawan, Ya'an, Yibin. Zigong, and other surrounding cities

By Plane

The nearest airport is the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (150km away)

Contact Information

Address: 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shi Zhong Qu, Le Shan Shi, Si Chuan Sheng, China, 614099
Contact number: +86 833 230 2296

Opening hours: 7:30am to 7:30pm (summer); 8:00am to 6:00pm (winter)

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