You are on a boat on the Min River at 10am. The boat turns a bend and the Leshan Giant Buddha appears: a 71-metre seated figure carved directly into red sandstone cliff at the confluence of three rivers. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was inscribed in 1996. The toes of the statue are each the height of a standing adult. For the Chengdu day trip context: Day Trips from Chengdu.
Key Takeaways
- 71 metres. World’s largest stone Buddha. Built 713 to 803 AD.
- Take the boat first for the full river view. Then the cliff staircase.
- G-train from Chengdu East: 35 to 40 min, ¥35. Rail guide.
- Entry ¥90. Boat ¥70. The boat is worth it.
- Arrive by 9am before tour groups from Chengdu buses.
- Half day minimum with travel. Full day comfortable.
Getting There
G-train from Chengdu East. 35 to 40 minutes. DiDi from Leshan station to site: 15 to 20 minutes, ¥15. Or public bus 13 from outside the station exit.
The Two Views
From the river (do this first)
River cruise departs from the dock south of the main entrance. ¥70 per person. Flat-bottomed ferries circle in front of the statue for 10 to 15 minutes. The complete seated figure from water level to crown. This is the photograph. You cannot get this view from land.
The cliff staircase
Inside the main site. Descends from the cliff top beside the Buddha’s right shoulder, past the waist and hands, to river level beside the feet. Queue: 30 to 60 minutes at peak. Separate ascending and descending queues.
Lingyun Temple
On the cliff above the Buddha. Active Buddhist monastery founded in 713 AD. Included in the entry ticket. Most visitors miss it. The view from the cliff above the statue’s crown is worth finding.
Frequently Asked Questions
For day trips from Chengdu: Day Trips from Chengdu. For Chengdu overview: Chengdu Travel Guide.