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Things to Do in Leshan (2026)
The Leshan Giant Buddha is a 71-meter-tall stone statue carved into a cliff face at the confluence of the Min, Dadu, and Qingyi rivers. Arrive early (before 8:30 AM) to avoid cβ¦ πΏ The Giant Buddha
The Leshan Giant Buddha is a 71-meter-tall stone statue carved into a cliff face at the confluence of the Min, Dadu, and Qingyi rivers. Arrive early (before 8:30 AM) to avoid crowds and take a boat cruise for the best full-body view. The site is open daily from 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with tickets costing 80 CNY for the scenic area and 70 CNY for the boat ride.
ποΈ Lingyun Temple
Perched above the Giant Buddha, Lingyun Temple is a Tang Dynasty Buddhist monastery with a serene atmosphere and intricate carvings. The temple complex includes the Nine Bends Plank Road, which winds down the cliff past ancient inscriptions. Entry is included with the Giant Buddha ticket, and you can explore the halls and pagodas in about an hour.
β°οΈ Mount Emei Day Trip
Mount Emei, a sacred Buddhist mountain, is just 30 kilometers from Leshan and makes an excellent day trip. Take the cable car from Wannian Temple to the Golden Summit for views of the sea of clouds and the 48-meter-tall Samantabhadra statue. The scenic area is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a combined ticket of 160 CNY for the mountain and cable car.
π Local Food Scene
Leshan is famous for its street food, especially the spicy boiled fish (shui zhu yu) and the crispy tofu pudding (dou hua). Head to Zhanggongqiao Night Market near the old town for grilled skewers and cold noodles, with most dishes costing 10-30 CNY. For a sit-down meal, try the Leshan Grand Buddha Restaurant at 243 Renmin South Road, known for its authentic local flavors.
π’ River Cruises
A boat cruise on the Min River offers a unique perspective of the Giant Buddha and the surrounding cliffs. The standard route departs from the Leshan Port near the scenic area and lasts about 30 minutes, with tickets at 70 CNY per person. Evening cruises (available from 7:00 PM) feature illuminated views of the Buddha and the city skyline.
ποΈ Oriental Buddha Park
This cultural park, located at 88 Lingyun Road, showcases over 3,000 Buddha statues in various styles from different dynasties. The park also has a replica of the Dunhuang Mogao Caves and a large reclining Buddha. It is open from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with an entry fee of 60 CNY, and is less crowded than the main Buddha site.
π Getting Around
Leshan's public bus system is efficient, with routes like Bus 3 and Bus 13 connecting the train station to the Giant Buddha scenic area. Taxis are affordable, with a typical ride across the city center costing around 15-25 CNY. For a more local experience, rent a bicycle from one of the many shared bike stations near the riverfront.
π Evening Strolls
As dusk falls, the Binhe Road promenade along the Min River becomes a lively spot for locals practicing tai chi or playing mahjong. The nearby Laojie (Old Street) area has traditional tea houses and souvenir shops open until 10:00 PM. End your evening with a bowl of sweet osmanthus rice balls at the Xiaochi Street food stalls.
The Giant Buddha boat cruise tip is spot on. I'd add that if you go on a weekday, the morning mist over the river makes the whole thing feel like a painting. For food, skip the tourist-heavy spots near the scenic area and walk five minutes to Shizhong District for the best shui zhu yu I've had. One thing the guide doesn't mention is the little tea houses along the Binhe Road promenade they are perfect for a quiet afternoon, and a pot of local jasmine tea runs about 15 CNY. Good write-up, covers the essentials well.
fwiw the Mahao Cliff Tombs are a great rec but if you're already headed south, tack on Wulong Village, its about 20 minutes further by bus. They've got these old courtyard homes and a tiny temple with a 500 year old gingko tree, hardly any tourists go there. Also for evening eats, skip the night market and hit the little stalls on Bayi Road instead, the grilled eggplant there is insane and like 15 CNY, way better than the tourist stuff. Good guide though, you really captured the city's vibe.
Honestly the Mount Emei tip is solid but if you have the time stay overnight at one of the temples up there. Waking up for sunrise at the Golden Summit is next level and you skip the worst of the cable car queues. For food in Leshan I'd swap the Grand Buddha Restaurant for a hole-in-the-wall place on Yumin Street called Old Chen's Kitchen, their mapo tofu is like 12 CNY and blows the fancy spots away. Also the Oriental Buddha Park is worth it just for the quiet honestly the main Buddha site gets packed by 10 AM and this place lets you actually breathe.
3 Days in Leshan: Itinerary 2026
Start your morning at the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (address: 2435 Lingyun Road, Shizhong District). Arrive by 8:00 AM to beat the crowds; the entrance fβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Giant Buddha & City Center
Start your morning at the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (address: 2435 Lingyun Road, Shizhong District). Arrive by 8:00 AM to beat the crowds; the entrance fee is 80 CNY. Spend 3-4 hours exploring the Buddha, the cliffside walkways, and the nearby Lingyun Temple. For lunch, walk to the nearby Zhanggong Bridge area for local street food like tofu pudding and spicy skewers.
ποΈ Afternoon: Old Town & Temples
After lunch, head to the Leshan Old Town (Laocheng) along the Min River. Visit the Wuyou Temple (free entry) for panoramic river views, then stroll through the ancient alleys near Gao Bei Street. In the late afternoon, take a 15-minute taxi (about 15 CNY) to the Leshan Museum (closed Mondays, free admission) to learn about local history.
π Evening: Riverside Dining
For dinner, head to the Binhe Road night market area along the river. Try the famous Leshan grilled fish at a restaurant like Xiba Fish (average 60 CNY per person). Afterward, take a leisurely walk along the Min River promenade to see the illuminated Giant Buddha in the distance.
ποΈ Day 2: Mount Emei Day Trip
Take an early bus from Leshan Central Bus Station to Mount Emei (1.5 hours, 50 CNY). Start at the Baoguo Temple entrance (160 CNY admission). Ride the cable car (up 65 CNY, down 55 CNY) to Jinding Summit for views of the Golden Summit and sea of clouds. Bring warm clothing as temperatures drop significantly at the top.
π Lunch & Lower Mountain
Have lunch at a temple vegetarian restaurant near the summit (around 40 CNY per set meal). Descend by cable car and then hike down to the Qingyin Pavilion area, known for its waterfalls and monkey encounters. Allow 2-3 hours for the descent; buses from the mountain base back to Leshan run until 6:00 PM.
π Evening: Local Culture
Back in Leshan, catch a Sichuan opera performance at the Leshan Grand Theatre (tickets from 120 CNY, shows at 8:00 PM). Alternatively, visit the night market on Renmin South Road for souvenirs and snacks like bobo chicken (skewers in chili oil). End the day with a cup of local green tea at a teahouse along the river.
π€ Day 3: River Cruise & Eastern Suburbs
Start with a 9:00 AM river cruise from the Leshan Port (70 CNY, 1 hour) for a unique view of the Giant Buddha from the water. After the cruise, take a 20-minute taxi (25 CNY) to the Eastern Suburbs to visit the Mahao Cliff Tombs (free, ancient burial sites carved into cliffs). Spend about an hour there before lunch.
ποΈ Afternoon: Shopping & Departure
For your final afternoon, browse the local specialty shops on Yumin Street for Leshan's famous suanla fen (sour-spicy noodles) and preserved tofu. If time allows, visit the Leshan Bamboo Weaving Workshop (address: 88 Bamboo Lane) for handmade crafts. From the city center, a taxi to Leshan Railway Station takes 20 minutes (30 CNY).
Nice itinerary, you've got the pacing down. For day 2 on Mount Emei, if you're hiking down from Qingyin Pavilion, take the fork toward the Monkey Zone trail instead of the main path. It adds maybe 20 minutes but you'll see the monkeys in a more natural setting rather than the aggressive ones by the pavilion. Also, the bus from the mountain base back to Leshan runs until 6 but the last one fills up fast, so aim to be at the stop by 5:30 or you might be stuck haggling with a taxi driver for 150 yuan.
solid itinerary, you've definitely done your homework. one thing i'd mention for day 1, the tofu pudding near Zhanggong Bridge is good but there's a specific stall on Shuncheng Street that's been there for like 40 years, no sign just a old guy with a cart, the texture is silkier than the touristy ones. also for the river cruise on day 3, the 9am boat is fine but the 10am one tends to be less crowded cause the tour groups hit the earlier slot, same price just a bit more breathing room on deck. the Mahao Cliff Tombs are cool but honestly they're a bit underwhelming if you've seen any cliff tombs before, still worth the 20 minute taxi cause the area around it has some nice riverside walking paths most people miss
this is a really thorough plan, nice work. for day 1, if you end up at wuyou temple, there's a small vegetarian noodle shop just outside the main gate on the left, run by an older couple, their dan dan mian is about 8 yuan and way better than anything you'll find in the old town. also for the museum, it's small but has a cool model of the buddha construction process, worth the 15 minutes even if you're not usually into museums. one thing i'd add is that the bamboo weaving workshop on bamboo lane is a bit tricky to find, it's actually in a residential courtyard behind a convenience store, not a street-facing shop