Last updated on March 5th, 2025 at 02:46 pm
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province and a highly popular destination for first-time visitors to China, attracting both foreign and domestic tourists eager to see pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. However, there are many other great things to do in Chengdu besides pandas!
If you plan to visit Chengdu, a day trip to the Leshan Giant Buddha Statue is a must-do activity. This remarkable site attracts more than 2 million visitors each year making it one of China’s most famous attractions and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
The Leshan Giant Buddha Statue is the largest stone Buddha in the world. Carved into a cliffside, this monumental statue rises to an impressive 71 meters and is one of China’s best attractions.
Witnessing the Leshan Giant Buddha is one of the must-do activities when visiting Chengdu and the good news is, it’s relatively easy to get to this UNESCO World heritage site – especially with our help!
Here’s our complete step-by-step guide on how to get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu.
You can easily combine a visit to the Leshan Giant Buddha with a trip to the Giant Panda Breeding Base for an ultimate Chengdu day tour
China currently ranks second on the list of most UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 57, while Italy holds the top position with 59 sites.
History of Leshan Giant Buddha Statue
In 723 AD construction of the Leshan Giant Buddha statue began by a monk named Hai Thong, believing it would calm the turbulent waters that frequently troubled shipping vessels traveling down the river. Unfortunately, Hai Thong passed away during construction, leaving the statue completed only from the shoulders up. Luckily, two of his disciples continued the giant project, no pun intended, and after 81 years of dedicated work, the Leshan Giant Buddha statue was finally finished in 803 AD.
According to local legend, the amount of stone that was carved and dumped into the river was so significant that it successfully altered the currents, ultimately making the waters safer for passing ships making Hai Thong’s wish come true!
How to Get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu: Start Your Journey with the Chengdu Metro
The first step in how to get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu is to take the Chengdu Metro Line 2 (Orange Line) to Chengdu East Station (Chengdu Dong Zhan).
Chengdu East Station is one of the major railway stations in Chengdu for many long-distance trains across China and is the starting point for your trip to Leshan City.
How to Get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu: Buying Your Train Ticket
You have two options with regards purchasing a train ticket from Chengdu to Leshan.
- Firstly, You can buy your train ticket to Leshan at the ticket counter in Chengdu East Station.
The train from Chengdu to Leshan is very popular, and seats are likely to sell out. However, there will be standing tickets available, but for the same price.
The good news is that trains to Leshan run frequently throughout the day.
- Your second option is to book your train tickets from Chengdu to Leshan in advance to secure your seat.
As with all train journeys in China, you’ll need to input your passport details when purchasing a ticket. Note, there are no e-tickets for this journey from Chengdu to Leshan, so your passport is your ticket.
Fares for the train from Chengdu to Leshan cost 55 yuan per person and will take 50 minutes to 1 hour.
Incorporate a visit to Leshan Giant Buddha along with the top 10 must-see attractions in China, and begin planning your ultimate China itinerary today.
How to Get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu: Choosing Your Return Ticket
For more flexibility, we recommend purchasing a one-way ticket from Chengdu to Leshan and buying your return ticket to Chengdu East Station at the Leshan Train Station. This allows you to explore Leshan without being locked into a fixed return time.
However, if you’re traveling on a Chinese public holiday or weekend, it’s best to book your return ticket in advance to avoid being stuck in Leshan overnight.
How to Get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu: Upon Arrival at Leshan Train Station
When you arrive at Leshan Train Station, exit the station and turn right. Walk for 50 meters and cross the road to the Leshan Bus Station.
Here, you’ll find the buses that will take will bring you closer to the Leshan Giant Buddha.
Before you head off on your China trip be sure to read which China travel apps to download such as Metro Man and WeChat, trust us this is very important information when visiting China!
How to Get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu: Bus Options K1 and #3
Once inside Leshan Bus Station, follow the signs for the K1 or #3 buses.
The K1 Bus is a retro-looking tram similar to San Francisco’s trams, while the #3 Bus is a standard blue bus. Both buses will take you closer to the Leshan Giant Buddha.
K1 Bus will get you to Leshan Giant Buddha in 30 minutes from Leshan Bus Station, while the #3 Bus takes 40 minutes.
Once you get on either bus to Leshan Giant Buddha you can pay through the QR code system or in cash.
If you prefer to pay with cash, make sure to bring exact change (2 yuan per person). If you can’t read Chinese, you may need help. A friendly security guard assisted us!
To save time, you can also take a direct taxi to the Leshan Buddha instead of the bus, though it will be more expensive. Just make sure to agree on a fare before you leave. From our experience in China, taxi drivers were very honest regarding fares.
How to Get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu: Getting Off the Bus
Once you’re on either bus, you’ll have two main stops for getting to Leshan Giant Buddha – one on the west side and one on the east side. The map below will make more sense about this.
When you look at the map, you will find the Leshan Giant Buddha statue in the middle. There are two bus stops indicated by white arrows. The arrow on the left is the first stop coming from Leshan Bus Station, this is perfect if you want to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha Statue from close up.
The second arrow on the right is the next stop which is best if you want to do the river cruise that has the best views of the Leshan Giant Buddha statue first.
- For visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha: Get off at the first stop, which is closer to the Leshan Buddha itself. From here it will be a 1.5 km walk/shuttle bus to the Buddha and a further 1.5 km for the River Cruise Terminal.
- For the Leshan Giant Buddha river cruise: Get off at the second stop for the Leshan River Cruise Terminal.
How to Get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu: The Leshan Buddha Up Close Option
If you’d like to get a close-up view of the Leshan Giant Buddha Statue, the following images will guide you step-by-step from the first bus stop, helping you know exactly what to look for along the way:
From the first bus stop, walk past the Leshan Museum towards the huge archway (you can’t miss it) and follow the beautiful tree-lined avenue that leads to the Leshan Giant Buddha ticket office.
The Leshan Giant Buddha is 1.5 kilometers from this bus stop, and shuttle buses are available for those who prefer not to walk. However, the scenic riverside walk is absolutely stunning!
Once you purchase your ticket, take a short stroll to the viewing platform, where you’ll be at eye level with the head of the Leshan Giant Buddha, allowing you to truly appreciate the statue’s size. Then proceed down the Nine Bends Plank Road, a narrow pathway carved out of the rock that will lead you to the base of the Leshan Giant Buddha. Be cautious, as the stairs are quite steep.
After visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha statue up close, you can explore additional attractions as you make your way to the River Cruise Wharf, which is 1.5 kilometers down the road you just walked.
How to Get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu: The River Cruise Option
One of the highlights of visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha Statue is a river cruise to witness the most breathtaking panoramic view of the Buddha in all its 71 meter grandeur.
For the Leshan Giant Buddha River Cruise you will get off at the second bus stop. The bus will stop close to the building in the picture below:
Once you see this building, you will see a bridge to your left, cross the bridge in the photo to get to the Leshan Giant Buddha Cruise Terminal at Wuyou Temple Warf.
Look out for the sign below to guide you to the ticket office for the Leshan Giant Buddha Statue river cruise.
The Leshan Giant Buddha River Cruise costs 70 yuan per person, and children under 1.2 meters can join for free.
Book an incredible tour from Chengdu which includes multiple viewpoints of the world’s largest carved stone Buddha, including the river cruise, travel at your own pace, and explore the historic, 1,700-year-old Huanglongxi Ancient Town.
How to Get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu: Heading Back to Chengdu Bus Station
After you visit the Leshan Giant Buddha Statue, head back towards the second bus stop, cross the road, and turn left to find the bus stop with K1 or K3 on it.
The bus back will, as previous, cost you 2 yuan, and be payable with either a QR code or in cash.
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How to Get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu: Returning to Leshan Train Station
The bus will stop outside Leshan Train Station and the ticket office is located on the right side of the building.
Once you purchase your train ticket to Chengdu, enter Leshan train station and the screen will display your train number, followed by 2 more numbers.
The first number will be either 1 or 2, this is your check in gate and the second number will be the platform for your return train to Chengdu.
Make sure to head to the (much shorter) foreigner queue, where you’ll quickly pass through the passport check (because your passport is your train ticket!)
How to Get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu: Back to Chengdu
Once you’ve passed the check-in gate, board your train and head back to Chengdu East Station.
Upon arrival, you can easily take a taxi or hop on the Chengdu Metro to return to your Chengdu hotel.
Congratulations on completing your journey to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu!
Final Thoughts: How to Get to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu
Getting to Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu is a straightforward journey with this step-by-step guide, combining metro, train, and bus rides to one of the most iconic sights in China.
Just make sure to bring your passport, keep some cash handy for the bus (the QR code doesn’t always work), and enjoy the incredible sights of the 1700-year-old Leshan Giant Buddha.
If you have any questions then leave us a comment below, and don’t forget to check out our socials for our latest adventures!
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