Plizio Visual Lab

Leshan

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Landmark

Weather…

Leshan is world-famous for the 'Leshan Giant Buddha' (Dafo), an 8th-century engineering masterpiece. The 71-meter-high statue of Maitreya Buddha was built during the Tang Dynasty to calm the turbulent waters of the Min, Qingyi, and Dadu rivers. Visitors can either view the Buddha up close by descending steep stairs along its side or take a boat trip to grasp the immense proportions of the statue in its entirety. Beyond the Dafo, the area provides other cultural treasures such as the Oriental Buddha Park, featuring thousands of Buddha sculptures, and Wuyou Monastery. The cliffs around the Buddha are dotted with smaller niches and carvings, testifying to the deep religious devotion of past eras. The entire complex is surrounded by dense vegetation, providing a beautiful contrast to the red sandstone. The city of Leshan itself is a foodie paradise. It is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, particularly 'Sweet Skin Duck' and 'Bobo Chicken.' Leshan is excellently connected by rail, located only about 15 minutes by train from Emeishan. The best time to visit is spring or autumn when the weather is dry and the river views are clear. A visit combines perfectly with a trip to the sacred Mount Emei.

Location: China
Nearby: Chengdu (45 km)
Population: ~662.814 (2025)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Oct.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	5	8	13	18	22	24	26	26	22	17	12	7
Rain mm	15	18	45	81	116	166	263	264	148	72	30	15

📋 Practical info

🚪

Visiting

The Leshan Giant Buddha is located in a public park and can be visited for an entrance fee. The viewing platform and the path down to the statue's feet are walkable.

🕒

Typical hours

The park typically opens from 7:30 to 18:00. During peak season, hours are often extended until about 19:00.

📷

Photography

Photography is allowed throughout the park. For full-body shots of the Buddha statue, a boat trip on the river is recommended.

⏱️

Time needed

Allow about two to three hours for the park and the statue. During peak season, waiting times may extend the visit.

➕

Combine with

Combine your visit with nearby Mount Emei, a sacred Buddhist mountain. The city of Leshan also has a nice riverfront promenade.

🧭

Getting there

Leshan is reachable by high-speed train from Chengdu in about an hour. From the station, buses go directly to the park or you can take a taxi.

💡

Insider tip

Walk down the stairs to the base of the statue - the view from below is sweeping. Alternatively, a boat ride gives the best perspective on the entire monument.