[Explore Leshan] Your Ultimate 2-Day, 1-Night Travel Itinerary – Everything You Need for a Perfect Trip!

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This well-designed guide presents a perfect 2-day, 1-night itinerary in Leshan. It highlights top attractions, local culinary delights, and favorite shopping areas, making it easy for you to explore the city and enjoy a relaxed vacation. Whether you're delving into the city's deep cultural roots or snapping photos in its modern hotspots, this itinerary caters to all kinds of travelers. Embark on your unforgettable Leshan journey now!

Marvel at the awe-inspiring 71-meter-tall riverside Buddha, savor sweet-skin duck at Zhanggong Bridge, and try the famous cross-legged beef near Suji Old Stone Bridge—all in a single day immersed in this thousand-year-old city.

Pay your respects to Samantabhadra amid clouds and Buddhist light, feed playful monkeys in their mountain habitat, then descend for a relaxing soak in the radon hot springs—blending spiritual serenity with nature’s healing embrace.

The Leshan Giant Buddha sits carved into the cliff face of Qixia Peak in Leshan City, at the confluence of the Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu Rivers. Also called the Lingyun Giant Buddha, it has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site. This seated Maitreya Buddha is a remarkable example of Tang Dynasty cliff sculpture.

Marvel at the Majestic Maitreya Buddha

Carved during the Tang Dynasty, the Leshan Giant Buddha took 90 years to complete and involved the efforts of three generations of artisans. Standing around 70 meters tall, this monumental stone sculpture is a marvel of ancient engineering. Gazing up at its grandeur, one can't help but admire how such a masterpiece was created without the benefit of modern machinery.

A Place to Seek Blessings

Long regarded as a sacred Buddhist site, the Leshan Giant Buddha draws visitors seeking peace and blessings. Many come to stand before the immense statue, join their hands in prayer, and make heartfelt wishes for health and tranquility—for themselves and their loved ones.

Experience Tranquility at Lingyun Temple

Adjacent to the Buddha, Lingyun Temple features a three-tiered courtyard layout with a Main Hall and Sutra Library. Popular among worshippers and tourists alike, the temple is beautifully landscaped, surrounded by trees and adorned with potted plants. It's a serene spot to immerse yourself in Buddhist culture and enjoy peaceful reflection.

Leshan Sleeping Buddha: Discover the Reclining Buddha in the Mountains

Floating quietly above the Qingyi River, several peaks stretch together to form a stunning natural spectacle—the Leshan Sleeping Buddha. When viewed from the right angle, the silhouette of the mountains resembles a reclining Buddha with distinct features: head, body, and feet clearly defined. The figure lies peacefully on its back, creating a serene and captivating image. The best viewpoint for this remarkable formation is near Yingchunmen Wharf on the eastern side of Leshan Ancient City.

Tour Route Options

🚶‍♀️ Walking Tour: Get Up Close to the Giant Buddha

Begin your journey by climbing the stairs up to Lingyun Temple, where you’ll reach the head of the Leshan Giant Buddha. From there, descend along the famous Nine-Curve Plank Road that winds down the cliffside. At the base, you’ll stand right beside the Buddha’s massive feet—each big enough to seat hundreds of people. Looking up from this spot truly conveys the awe-inspiring scale of the statue. Don’t forget to take a commemorative photo!

🚤 Boat Tour: Capture the Buddha in Full View

For those who prefer a relaxed experience—or who want the best panoramic shot—the boat tour is a fantastic option. Cruising along the river gives you a front-row seat to the full majesty of the Giant Buddha as it towers over the confluence of three rivers. This perspective also offers a glimpse of the surrounding scenic beauty, making it a memorable highlight of your trip.

1. Why Was the Leshan Giant Buddha Built?
Legend has it that in ancient times, the waters where the Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu Rivers met were dangerously turbulent—so much so that passing ships were often swallowed by the rapids. To calm the waters and protect the people, a Buddhist monk named Hai Tong devoted himself to building a massive Buddha statue at the river’s edge. Miraculously, after the Buddha’s construction began, the waters did seem to become calmer, allowing ships to pass safely.

2. The Buddha Closed His Eyes and Wept
In 1962, during a period of great hardship and famine, countless lives were lost. Locals say the Leshan Giant Buddha, overwhelmed by sorrow, closed his eyes and shed tears, silently mourning the suffering. While the poetic explanation has persisted for generations, scientists believe this phenomenon was caused by acid rain slowly eroding the statue’s surface, giving the impression of tear-streaked eyes and a solemn expression.

3. What Is the Buddha’s Real Name?
Although most people know it as the Leshan Giant Buddha, that’s not its original name. In fact, historians and experts have traced its full title to the Tang Dynasty, revealing that the statue’s official name is:
“The Great Maitreya Stone Statue of Lingyun Temple in Jiazhou.”
Still, "Leshan Giant Buddha" remains the name closest to the hearts of locals and visitors alike.

Address: No. 2435, Middle Section of Lingyun Road, Shizhong District, Leshan City, Sichuan Province
Opening Hours: 07:30–18:30 & 19:30–22:30 (Last admission at 21:30)

Zhanggongqiao Food Street is a vibrant hub that blends delicious eats with a lively atmosphere. Known for its wide variety of local flavors, this specialty street seamlessly combines tourism, leisure, and shopping—all managed to a high standard. Whether you're grabbing a late-night snack or exploring regional dishes, it's the perfect place to experience Leshan’s food culture.

Address: No. 104 Zhanggongqiao Street

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours, year-round

Suji Ancient Town, also known as Guihuachang, carries over 1,400 years of history. According to legend, it was named after a hermit named Su Ji who once lived a quiet life here. Some also say that Su Dongpo, the famous poet and statesman, once stopped by to inspect the area—adding a layer of cultural charm to this timeless town.

Address: No. 12, Banbian Street, Shizhong District, Leshan City

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours, all year round

Mount Emei is one of the four famous mountains of Chinese Buddhism and the dojo of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. There are many temples in the mountain, making it full of magical atmosphere. The scenery in the mountains is also very beautiful, with each season having its own characteristics. If you are lucky, you can also see the sunrise and the sea of ​​clouds. The monkeys in Mount Emei are notoriously naughty. They are not afraid of people and will even ask tourists for food.

Address: Huangwan Town, Emeishan City, Leshan City, Sichuan Province

Business hours: Open from 06:00 to 17:00 tomorrow