Leshan (very basic) tourist information with map

 


Many visitors come for just a few hours on a day trip from Chengdu—but that’s a mistake. You need a full day to properly visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, see it from the river, and explore the nearby Oriental Buddha Park and Wuyou Temple hill. At a leisurely pace, it could easily take two days. You can also do a day trip to Emeishan from Leshan by public bus, but in my opinion, it's better to stay overnight there—perhaps in a monastery below the Golden Summit. So, for Leshan alone, you’ll need at least one night, preferably two. The city itself is quite sprawling, modern, and tidy, but it doesn't offer many attractions. The train station is a bit far from the center, but public transport is a good option to reach both the city center and the Leshan Giant Buddha. Below are the tourist basics. 


1. Leshan high speed train station and local bus terminal; 2. Central Leshan; 3. Main entrance of the Leshan Giant Buddha area, with free shuttle buses to sites; 4. The Leshan Giant Buddha, next to the Oriental Buddha Park and Wuyou Temple. 

Leshan Train Station. 



Leshan Bus station is right across the road. Buses 3 and K1 depart from this building and go to the main entrance of the Giant Buddha area, crossing the city center different ways. (CNY 2) Bus 601 also goes there, but more importantly it goes to Emeishan. (CNY 5) It has a stop on the street in front of the train station, not inside the bus station. 


The K1 service operates vintage-looking buses. (Normal fare of CNY 2.) 





The main entrance of the Leshan Giant Buddha scenic area. The actual sites are still relatively far, but free shuttle buses operate from here to the different sites' entrances. 


I found a pleasant and cheap hotel just across the main entrance; it was a very convenient base. 






The river and bridge near the main entrance, and my hotel. 






To the north and west is the city center.  


In the south, where the hill meets the water, stands the Leshan Giant Buddha.  


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