We visited Leshan Giant Buddha on a day trip from Chengdu, travelling independently rather than with a tour. Getting to Leshan is quite easy by high-speed train, but it does become more confusing once you arrive.
You need to work out how to get from Leshan Railway Station to the scenic area, what tickets to buy, whether to walk down beside the Buddha or see it from the river, and-something we learned the hard way-what time to book your train back to Chengdu.
Our day in Leshan was very different from what we expected, and there are several things we wish we’d known before we went. Our guide covers exactly how we planned our day, what actually worked, what didn’t, and whether we’d choose DIY or a tour next time.
Leshan Giant Buddha Day Trip at a Glance
| Question | Our answer |
|---|---|
| Is Leshan worth visiting? | Yes — it was far more impressive than we expected! |
| Best from | Chengdu |
| Time needed | Full day / around 8 hours |
| Train journey | Around 1 hour |
| Best station | Chengdu East Railway Station (Chengdudong / 成都东) → Leshan |
| Best way to see it | Walking / boat / both — we loved the walking option |
| Tour needed? | No, but useful for older travellers, families, mobility issues or those who want a more relaxing trip. |
| Book ahead? | Train + [ticket recommendation] |
| Our visit | August |
| Would we do it again? | Yes! |
Our quick recommendation: We recommend visiting Leshan Giant Buddha on a day trip from Chengdu
Table of Contents
Is the Leshan Giant Buddha Worth Visiting from Chengdu?
Yes. If you’re visiting Sichuan for the first time, have around three days in Chengdu and enjoy history and culture, we think this is an excellent day trip.
Worth it if:
- first China/Sichuan trip;
- interested in history/culture;
- want a visually extraordinary UNESCO site;
- have at least three days around Chengdu.
Maybe skip if:
- you only have one full day in Chengdu;
- mobility/stair issues are severe (or take the boat option);
- poor visibility/boat suspension would undermine your main reason for going;
- you’re more interested in pandas/Chengdu city life.
If you’re still deciding how many days to spend in the city, see our 1, 2 and 3 day Chengdu itinerary.
What Is the Leshan Giant Buddha?
The Leshan Giant Buddha is a shockingly huge Buddha carved into a cliffside in the 8th century. It sits 71m high and overlooks the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers. In 1996 it joined the Mount Emei/Leshan UNESCO World Heritage property.
The story about why it was built is told when you visit. There is a very engaging video that explains that a monk once lived here and thought that the water conditions where the rivers meet were too dangerous for the many boats. He thought that if he built a giant Buddha it would calm the waters and give boats safe passage. Construction began in AD 713 and was completed in AD 803, around 90 years later during the Tang dynasty. The interesting part is that the desired effect did actually occur, the waters were calmer. One commonly cited explanation is that the huge amount of stone removed during construction was deposited in the river, changing the currents and making the waters safer for passing boats. Others say it was the effect of the Buddha but either way it is an incredible feat of engineering!
The really important thing to know before visiting is that there are two very different ways to experience it…by boat or by walking. One takes you so close you feel like you could touch the Buddha, ending right at his feet. The other is easier and you get a complete front view. Either way it is spectacular!
How to Get from Chengdu to the Leshan Giant Buddha
There are several ways to get from Chengdu to the Leshan Giant Buddha: high-speed train, group tour or private tour. Each has its own pros and cons, so the best option depends on your travel style and how much you want organised for you.
Chengdu to Leshan by High-Speed Train
We took a high-speed train from Chengdu East to Leshan, and it was really easy. We stayed at the Mercure Chengdu Downtown and took a Didi to Chengdu East. The Didi ride took 31 minutes and cost 29.7CNY/US$4.43 which is really affordable! We made sure to call the Didi with about an hour to spare before our train left, so we had time for any heavy traffic, security and to find our gate. At security you will have to put any bags and luggage through a scanner and get scanned yourself. This is common at every train station.
We booked the 9:28am train which cost us 124.35CNY/US$18.55 for two seats including the booking fee. Once we arrived at the station we had about 30 minutes to spare to get through security, find our boarding gate and board the train. At the gate you will line up with lots of other people, try to choose a staffed lane where an attendant can scan your passport. You will not be able to scan your passport at the smaller ID scanners, it never works.
Once you are scanned on you just head to the train platform and wait for the train to arrive, look for the number on the ground that correlates to you ticket boarding door, if you are unsure look for a staff member who will be happy to help you, or show another passenger your ticket and point to the floor number, they will help you by pointing to where you need to go. Be ready to board as soon as your train is called. Boarding gates can close before the scheduled departure time, so don’t arrive at the platform at the last minute.
Our train arrived at Leshan at 10:20am, the train was so smooth and fast it really did fly by. Our seats were comfortable, there was room in front for our legs and a small storage space above for our day bags. Tickets will sell out leaving only more expensive seats or later trains, our train was full and train conductors do check that you are in the right seat. They don’t interrupt you as they can see who is supposed to be in each seat on their device but they do come along checking.
How far ahead should you book the Chengdu–Leshan train?
I would honestly book this train as soon as you have your date finalised for Leshan. We only booked a few days in advance and got some of the last seats for the train we wanted. The availability will fluctuate but I wouldn’t leave it to chance if possible you really need all the time you can get for this day trip so having to wait for a later train could give you limited time at the Buddha.
Should you pre-book your return Leshan to Chengdu train ticket?
Yes absolutely! We actually didn’t do this, thinking that as we weren’t sure how long we would be we wanted to book it when we were ready. This was the biggest mistake we made on our Leshan day trip. If we had pre-booked our tickets we would have had a smoother day, more on this below.
Which Chengdu Railway Station Should You Leave From?
We left from Chengdu East, which made sense because it is the main station trains depart to Leshan from and the closest to the central accommodation in Chengdu. The Didi ride only took about 30 minutes although this will depend on traffic and what time you are going, make sure to leave extra time as the roads in Chengdu can get congested.
Always check your actual station on the ticket you have booked, if you are not sure ask the front desk at your hotel to make sure you are going to the right location.
Leshan Railway Station to the Giant Buddha
This is where you have to start organising yourself carefully if you are travelling independently. Leave the Leshan station at the main exit and then you need to cross the road and head down the stairs. You will come to a car park area where the ride share comes to pick up. It is really busy and you will need to keep an eye out for your driver. See the photos below which show what the area looks like. There you can either call a Didi which costs approximately 17CNY / US$2.55. You can also take local bus #3 which costs approximately 2 CNY / US$0.30. We took a Didi which ended up being a 25 minute ride, the bus is about 52 minutes plus the time you wait for it to arrive.
We called a Didi and were picked up quickly, the ride was easy and the driver knew exactly where to drop us off, there was a bus stop a little further back and a taxi area where our driver stopped to let us out. It was very simple. Being able to follow the route in the Didi app also made it easy to understand exactly where we were going. For two people, the small extra cost was absolutely worth the time saved.
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Leshan Giant Buddha: 乐山大佛
Giant Buddha North Gate: 大佛 (giant buddha) 北门 (north gate)
Our recommendation: For two people, we found Didi was easy and fast, we wanted to save as much time as possible and would definitely use Didi next time.
Where to go when you arrive at the Giant Buddha drop-off point?
When you arrive at the drop-off point, walk toward the main entrance and through the Buddha arch. You will see two big buildings, the one on the right is tourist information, a boat boarding area and toilets.
The left is where you can buy tickets if you haven’t already, the tickets on sale are the boat, the walking route and the sightseeing shuttle. Translation assistance was available when we visited. If you have pre-bought your tickets you shouldn’t need to stop here, just walk through.
If you only purchased the boat ticket, head to the wharf you want to go from and line up to board. You can also walk around the river path area but won’t have access to the actual Giant Buddha area itself.
If you have purchased the ticket for the sightseeing shuttle, board it here and get off at the Giant Buddha entry. It runs along the path that you would walk if you didn’t purchase the ticket. The path is shaded and follows the river so it is quite a nice walk if you have the time and like a stroll. The whole distance is about 2km so not very far if walking isn’t an issue.
Once you arrive at the entry to the Giant Buddha you will see a lot of drink and snack shops, this is your last chance for cheaper snacks, if you want a cold drink grab one at the Mixue there, our favourite! Inside there are small stands selling water, little snacks and ice creams. When you are ready to enter head over to line up, a staff member will usually direct you to the right line we were told to go to the manual channel. This is where you scan your passport for entry to the Giant Buddha area, and start walking uphill and many stairs to the head of the Buddha.
Leshan Giant Buddha Tickets: What Do You Actually Need?
We found ticketing to the Giant Buddha somewhat confusing, this is what you actually need to know. The land access and boat are completely different experiences with separate booking and access.
This is a quick breakdown of each ticket option:
| Option | What you get | Best for | Our choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking/scenic-area ticket | Buddha from above/close + temples/trails | Full experience | ✓ This is the option we did and we loved it! |
| Scenic Area Sightseeing shuttle | Catch a small sightseeing shuttle to the Giant Buddha to begin the walking route in. | Those who don’t want to walk approximately 2km into the Buddha main area, or are short on time. | We did buy this but don’t think it is necessary unless walking or time is an issue. |
| Boat ticket | Full frontal Buddha view | Photography/easier visit | ✓ this looked easy and much less physical, but didn’t give you as much to do. |
| Both | Close-up + iconic river view | First-time visitors with enough time | You need a lot of time for this. |
| Private Driver | Transport to and from the Giant Buddha | Those who don’t want to deal with trains | Easiest option for transport, tickets are not included so need to purchase separately. |
| Guided day trip | Transport + organisation + guide/ticket depending product | Hassle-free visit | The absolute easiest option, choose this if you don’t want to have to work out trains, buses, taxis, tickets or timing. |
Prices checked: September 2026. Verify before travelling because ticket prices and access can change.
🎟 Check current Leshan Giant Buddha tickets on Klook →
Walking Route vs Boat — Which Is Better?
The biggest decision is whether to walk the Giant Buddha route or see it from the boat. They are two very different experiences.
| Features | Walking Route | Boat |
|---|---|---|
| Best view | Close-up/detail | Full Buddha |
| Physical effort | High/moderate | Low |
| Time | Allow 3–5 hours for the Buddha walk & scenic area, depending on queues and how much you explore | Approximately 30-40 minutes |
| Queues | Can be significant | Can queue/suspend |
| Photography | Detail/head/feet | Iconic full view |
| Weather dependence | Less dependent, however there is little cover | More dependent |
| Best for mobility issues | Not very accessible, lots of uneven stairs | Usually easier, but check boarding |
| Separate ticket? | Yes | Yes |
| Our preference | We really loved this, seeing the Buddha up close was amazing. | This looked like fun, if you have the time. |
We personally did the walking route. We had planned to do both, but ran out of time. Here is how the two options differ.
Walking Route Down to the Buddha’s Feet
There are actually two sections to the walking route. First, once you arrive at the entry to the Giant Buddha area you will scan your passport to enter and then start walking up many stairs. This is the first path to the Giant Buddha head, it is about three people wide and can bottleneck occasionally. At times the stairs feel endless, so the viewpoints and rest stops are welcome opportunities to slow down. The path does get a little steep but not in a daunting way, more so in a physical way if you are unused to stair climbing. We visited in August and it was quite hot and humid so a slow walk was needed. There are handrails at the sides and gazebos to take a rest in as well. At the top you enter through some doors and you are right at the head of the Buddha.
Once you arrive at the head, take your time to see it from all angles, make sure to check out the ear closely where you can see the drainage channel that has helped it to avoid erosion for years. Then just find the sign pointing to the Giant Buddha walking route and you can line up to start the walk down to his feet. There is usually a crowd, it does get busy but the lines are usually moving along regularly, patience is key!
Once you pass through caves and stairwells you will arrive at a platform at the feet. They are massive and looking up the full scale of the Giant Buddha is obvious, it really is huge. We stayed there for a while taking photos and enjoying the scene. When you are ready you will head back up the stairs using a different route.
Back at the top you have time to wander the many paths and explore the temples and shrines around the scenic area. There are a lot of them and you could spend hours walking the area and enjoying it, we did and got a little behind time!
Leshan Giant Buddha Boat Ride
We didn’t get to take the boat ride, we completely ran out of time. However we had planned to do both the boat and walking routes. I would advise to do the boat first so that you don’t miss out if you intend to do both, although if you have lots of time and aren’t in a rush it would be nice to do the boat after all the walking!
We didn’t personally take the boat because we ran out of time, so unlike the walking route, these details are based on current visitor information rather than our own experience. Boat departure points and operating arrangements can change with water levels and weather, so check the pier shown on your ticket on the day you visit.
Is the Leshan boat ride worth it?
If you have any mobility issues or just want an easy trip to see the Giant Buddha we think the boat trip is worth it. For us, it wasn’t our preferred way as we wanted to get up close and really see the details of the Buddha. We would have done it if we had time but as we were rushed at the end, we weren’t too upset by not doing it.
The boat trips can be interrupted by conditions such as water level or weather, don’t build a zero-buffer itinerary around the boat operating perfectly as you may need to do the walk if there are any issues on the day.
Our Exact Leshan Giant Buddha Day Trip Itinerary
This is exactly how our day went on our Leshan Giant Buddha day trip:
| Time | What we did |
|---|---|
| 8:28am | Left Chengdu hotel |
| 9am | Arrived at Chengdu East Railway Station |
| 9:28am | Train to Leshan Station |
| 10:20am | Arrived Leshan Station |
| 10:35am – 11am | Didi/bus to North Gate |
| 11am | Entered main area and worked out what tickets we wanted (should have pre-purchased!) |
| 11:33am | Boarded sightseeing shuttle |
| 11:40am | Arrived scenic area |
| 12:11pm | Arrived at the head of the Buddha & looked around area |
| 1:39pm | Started walking down Buddha |
| 2:29pm | Arrived at the feet of the Buddha |
| 3:40pm | Headed back to main entry/exit |
| 3:46pm | Arrived main entry/exit and went to Didi pick-up area |
| 3:52pm – 4:16pm | Left with Didi & arrived at station |
| ~4:30pm | Train was due to depart Leshan, we bought the last available standing tickets |
| 5:40pm | Our return train finally departed after delays |
| 6:21pm | Arrived Chengdu South |
Would we use this schedule again?
If you are wondering what return train should I book from Leshan to Chengdu then we absolutely would follow this schedule with some tweaks! I would book our train back to Chengdu for approximately a 5:30pm departure and do the boat before we did the walk at the Buddha if we planned to do both. I would also book a slightly earlier train if your hotel offers an early breakfast.
If you’re only doing the boat, I’d still allow around 3–4 hours between arriving at the scenic area and your return journey. For the schedule we followed, I wouldn’t book a return train much earlier than around 3:30–4:00 pm.
YouTube goes HERE
Immediately after the itinerary:
Watch Our Leshan Giant Buddha Day Trip
Want to see exactly what the train journey, walking route and Buddha are like? We filmed our Leshan day trip from Chengdu…
How Long Do You Need at the Leshan Giant Buddha?
2–3 hours at Leshan Giant Buddha
Boat only or a very short visit.
4–5 hours at Leshan Giant Buddha
With 4-5 hours at the Giant Buddha you can relax a little more. The walk down the Leshan Giant Buddha takes longer than we expected, it is busy and you feel like you are moving all the time but it is a long way. There is also a huge park area to explore with multiple temples and hikes you can do.
Full day from Chengdu
If possible we would allow a full day from Chengdu to explore the Leshan Giant Buddha. There is a lot to see here, far more than we expected and with a day you can do it all. Ideally I would try to leave on a 8:30am-9am train and leave on a 5:30pm train. That will give you enough time to do the boat tour, the walk by the Buddha and explore the scenic area.
DIY vs Leshan Giant Buddha Tour from Chengdu
This is our comparison to help you decide whether you should do a DIY day trip or a tour:
| Features | DIY by train | Guided day tour |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $ / $$ | $$ |
| Planning | More | Minimal |
| Flexibility | Excellent | Fixed |
| Train experience | Yes | Depends on tour |
| Hotel pickup | No | Often |
| Guide | No | Often / depends on tour |
| Best for | Independent travellers | First China visit / limited time |
| Our preference | We prefer a DIY as long as you have the time to do this. | I would take a tour if I was short on time, possibly even just a private driver rather than a full tour. |
When I’d Do Leshan Independently
If you have time and are not rushed then I think doing Leshan Giant Buddha as an independent day trip is a great way to see it. You can follow our itinerary above so you know exactly what to do and still keep the flexibility to spend longer wherever you want.
When I’d Book a Leshan Tour
If you are concerned about organising Chinese transport, only have one spare day, are travelling with an older family member or want hotel pick-up or to coordinate trains, multiple tickets or taxis then a tour will be the most suitable option. You can choose a simple private-driver option, where you organise your own tickets, or a full tour that includes transport, attraction tickets and a guide.
Another excellent reason I would choose a tour is to combine the Panda Base with Leshan Giant Buddha into an epic day trip! This is a perfect way to see two big attractions in an easy manner from Chengdu.
Can You Visit the Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha in One Day?
Yes you can definitely visit the panda base and the Leshan Giant Buddha in one day but it would be best to take a tour. This is the easiest way to save time in transit and more time at the attractions. It will be a long day but so worth it to see both major attractions, especially if you have one spare day.
If you’re visiting the pandas separately, read our complete Chengdu Panda Base guide.
What We’d Do Differently Next Time
These are the things that we would absolutely do differently next time and why. These changes would have made the biggest difference to our day.
1. We’d Pre-Book the Return Train
Absolutely the first thing I would do if I was to go back. We waited until we were starting to think about going back to Chengdu and every single train was basically full. We were lucky to get two standing tickets on a one of the trains.We had checked a couple of times during the day but there were options of available seats and suddenly they were all gone. If you are spending the day I would book a train around 5:30pm if you want to fully walk and explore the scenic area or want to do both the boat and the walking route. You will need less time if you are just doing the boat. From our experience, I would highly recommend pre-booking both your train there and a return train.
2. We’d Do the Boat First
We started with the walking route and thought we would do the boat after but ran out of time so I would tell you to do the boat first so you can use up the rest of your time at the scenic area and doing the walking route. After we spent a long time walking around the Buddha area we felt like we were ready to leave so for us it would have been best to do the boat first.
3. We’d Allow More Time for the Scenic Area
We really thought we would just go, walk the Buddha feet route, jump on the boat and then leave. But this is China and of course the scenic area is full of interesting things to see. We could have spent another couple of hours just walking to all the different temples around the scenic area, stopping for tea or just taking in the views. There is so much more to see here than just the Buddha!
4. We’d Make Sure We Buy a Drink Before Entering
When we lined up to enter the scenic area we saw a Mixue, which is our favourite treat in China. We thought we would only be an hour and then leave so would grab it on the way out. We dreamt of our Mixue for the next few hours! There is water and snacks available for purchase inside the scenic area but nothing hits like Mixue and we regretted not grabbing one quickly before entering.
5. Would we Take a Tour Next Time?
Honestly if we had limited time or were worried about how to make it work yes. It would have been so easy to just go with a guide, even just a driver who would ferry us around to where we needed to be. But it is totally possible to do the day trip by yourself, you will just need more time to work everything out, and follow our guide here and tips to get the best out of your day. If we had known these tips our day would have run much more smoothly.
Is Leshan Difficult If You Have Bad Knees or Limited Mobility?
The walking route is physically demanding. There are a lot of stairs, so this is worth considering if you have bad knees or limited mobility. I do have bad knees and struggle to walk up too many stairs at once or even down stairs can be an issue sometimes. I was ok doing the walking route and taking some breaks here and there, I just went a little more slowly and took my time. There are hand rails to hold on to and a gazebo to rest in, the stairs are a little uneven as well so make sure to pay attention to what you are stepping on.
The stairs down to the Buddha are extensive, but you move quite slowly due to the long lines, then you have to walk back up stairs to get out of the viewing area. The actual terrain around the scenic area is not too difficult to move around, there are concrete paths and stairs all over but they are even and were easier for me to manoeuvre.
I would definitely recommend the boat option if you are concerned that your knees might cause you an issue, there is no point in getting injured halfway when you can experience the Buddha from the water with much less walking and stair climbing. Boarding conditions can still vary, so check current accessibility if this is important to you.
Where to Eat in Leshan
We unfortunately ran out of time to eat in Leshan—another reason we’d allow longer next time. Leshan is known for its food, and we had planned to try bobo chicken and Leshan shaomai before heading back to Chengdu.
If food is a priority for you, leave extra time rather than trying to squeeze it in around the Buddha and boat.
What We Actually Spent on Our Leshan Day Trip
This is what we spent on our Leshan day trip so you can see the difference between the tour and decide what suits you.
| Expense | Per person | For two |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Chengdu East Station | 14.85CNY/US$2.21 | 29.7CNY/US$4.43 |
| Chengdu → Leshan train | 62.18CNY/US$9.28 | 124.35CNY/US$18.55 |
| Leshan → Buddha transport | 8.50CNY/ US$1.27 | 17CNY/US$2.55 |
| Scenic-area ticket | 54.72CNY/US$8.16 | 109.44/US$16.32 |
| Return transport | 8.6CNY/US$1.28 | 17.3CNY/US$2.56 |
| Leshan → Chengdu train | 54.04CNY/US$8.06 | 108.08CNY/US$16.12 |
| Total DIY | 202.89CNY/US$30.26 | 405.87CNY/US$60.53 |
Boat, if added: approximately 100CNY/US$14.95 per person at the time of checking.
DIY vs tour price
A tour that includes everything, a private tour with a guide, transport and tickets will cost about US$189 per person or a more affordable option would be around US$39 with a group and Chinese speaking guide, boat ticket included and transport.
With a tour you’re paying for convenience, the DIY option is affordable but leaves more for you to organise.
Prefer another platform? Compare Leshan tours on GetYourGuide →
Getting Back from Leshan to Chengdu
I would highly recommend booking your return train when you book your arrival train. We didn’t and it was a crucial error as all the trains filled up while we explored the scenic area. When we felt like we might want to leave, we checked the trains. They were all completely full! There were a couple of spaces of standing room only on one train around 4:30pm which we purchased immediately.
We then called a Didi and raced to the train station in Leshan which took another 30 minutes. The train station had a line up at security and once we got through we found out that all trains to Chengdu were delayed, it was somewhat of a disaster. Our train kept getting delayed also. After over an hour wait at the Leshan train station our train finally arrived and we were off to Chengdu, getting off at the Chengdu South Railway Station (Chengdunan / 成都南).
The Leshan train station is rather small, there are a couple of stores inside for food and drinks but not many options, if you are looking for food it is better to get it in town. We could have had a much more relaxing end to our day trip if we had just purchased our tickets so I would absolutely do this.
Why Did We Return to Chengdu South Railway Station?
We had to take the train to Chengdu South as it was the only ticket that was available. The trains have various options for stations so make sure to check this when you book. While this station is further south in Chengdu than we were originally hoping to get back to it was ultimately fine, we got a Didi from here. See our Chengdu guide for things to do once you’re back in the city.
Where to Stay in Chengdu for a Leshan Day Trip
We stayed in four different Chengdu hotels, but for a Leshan day trip we’d still choose a central hotel rather than staying beside Chengdu East Railway Station. You’ll spend much more of your trip exploring central Chengdu, and Didi makes getting to the station straightforward.
Of the four hotels we stayed in, ibis Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road would be a particularly convenient option before a Leshan day trip.
🏨 Check current rates at ibis Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road on Trip.com →
Read our Where to Stay in Chengdu comparison to see all four hotels we stayed in.
Best Time to Visit Leshan Giant Buddha
For milder weather, spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) generally offer more comfortable temperatures.
Rain is always a possibility though so bringing a rain jacket or the more popular umbrella is a good idea. In China most people use umbrellas to either keep the sun or rain off themselves.
What it was like when we visited in August
We visited in August and it was hot and humid, if you go in June-August make sure to have sunscreen, a hat and lots of water. There were quite a few people there but still not as hectic as you imagine and it was really only busy at the stairs to go down to the Buddha. We found the other parts of the scenic area were quite pleasant and not crowded at all.
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What to Bring on a Leshan Giant Buddha Day Trip
You don’t need a lot for a Leshan Giant Buddha day trip, but these are the essentials:
- passport;
- water bottle;
- comfortable/grippy shoes;
- sunscreen/hat;
- portable battery;
- umbrella/rain protection where appropriate;
- Alipay/WeChat to buy water or food;
- downloaded copies/screenshots of your train, attraction and tour bookings;
- Chinese destination saved and translation app;
- a camera.
Leshan Giant Buddha FAQs
Is the Leshan Giant Buddha worth visiting?
Yes. We weren’t sure before visiting, but it ended up being one of the most impressive sights of our Chengdu trip. The scale is difficult to appreciate until you’re standing beside it, and the surrounding scenic area has much more to see than we expected.
Can you visit Leshan Giant Buddha as a day trip from Chengdu?
Yes, if you have a full day you can see the Giant Buddha from the walking route and the boat, alternatively with less time you can take the boat only which is only about 30-40 minutes.
How long is the train from Chengdu to Leshan?
Our high-speed train from Chengdu East to Leshan took 52 minutes. Journey times vary by service, so check the exact duration when booking.
How do you get from Leshan Railway Station to the Giant Buddha?
We took a Didi, it was fast and cheap without causing any extra hassle or stress to our day. Use our tips above for the best place to get dropped off.
Should I walk or take the boat at Leshan?
This is very much dependent on what you prefer, if you have time and are physically able we prefer to do the walking route as we liked being up close to see the details of the Buddha. If you are short on time or have a mobility issue then I would take the boat.
Can you do both the boat and walking route?
Yes, you can do both the walking route and boat at the Leshan Giant Buddha if you have the time and the weather is permitting.
How long do you need at Leshan Giant Buddha?
For just the boat tour you can do a half day, for the whole walking route or walking route and boat tour I would keep a full day aside.
Do you need to book Leshan Giant Buddha tickets in advance?
I would always book in advance so my plans weren’t ruined due to tickets selling out, I would also book my trains when I knew what day suits best.
Do Chengdu–Leshan trains sell out?
Yes, popular departures can sell out. We made the mistake of not pre-booking our return journey and found the seated tickets gone by the time we were ready to leave. We strongly recommend booking both directions once your date is fixed.
Check return trains on Trip.com →
Can you visit the Panda Base and Leshan Buddha on the same day?
You can do both in one day but I would take a tour as it will be a long day and it is better having someone who knows the area to make the time work.
Is Leshan suitable if you don’t want to climb lots of stairs?
Yes, but I’d recommend the boat option rather than the walking route as this has hundreds of stairs in total.
Is Leshan Giant Buddha UNESCO-listed?
Yes. Leshan Giant Buddha is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area,” inscribed in 1996
Plan Your Leshan Giant Buddha Day Trip
🚄 Chengdu → Leshan train
Check current train times and fares on Trip.com →
🎟 Leshan Giant Buddha ticket
Check current Leshan Giant Buddha tickets on Klook →
🏨 Chengdu hotel
Check ibis Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road on Trip.com →
🐼 Short on time?
Compare Panda Base + Leshan tours →
🚐 Leshan day tour
Check the Leshan tour we recommend →
Final Thoughts — Is Leshan Worth the Trip?
Before going we weren’t particularly sure whether this was worth giving up a full Chengdu day to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, we felt it was important for us to see and experience it to really determine if we should recommend others go there. Honestly, we were pleasantly surprised by it. We were shocked by how massive it actually is and by how much there was to do around in the scenic area. We spent so much time wandering around that we ran out of time to do the boat trip as well.
We enjoyed this day trip far more than we expected and recommend visiting if you have the time in Chengdu, follow our tips to have an easy and enjoyable day.
If you have three days in Chengdu, here’s how we would fit Leshan into the itinerary 👉
🇨🇳 Continue Planning Your China Adventure!
👉 Chengdu Guide. Everything you need to spend time in this underrated capital city.
👉 Chengdu Panda Base. Planning the pandas too, this is what you need to know to go!
👉 Chengdu Itinerary. Exactly how we fit Leshan into three days in Chengdu →
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