based on 1513 reviewsFascinating place and a definite location to visit whilst near Leshan to be impressed by the sheer scale of this engineering effort. Our family enjoyed the outing that took about four hours to complete. A bit of walking required. Save time and effort by paying 15rmb for a trolley ride to the north gate from the entrance and then back from the east gate. Coming from Chengdu catch the high speed train. Takes about an hour to get there and best to book your return train because can sell out fast towards the end of the day.

The Leshan Giant Buddha is located in Leshan, carved into the cliff of Lingyun Mountain's Qixia Peak at the confluence of the Min River, Qingyi River, and Dadu River. Also known as the Lingyun Giant Buddha, it has been designated as a "World Cultural and Natural Heritage" site by UNESCO. The statue depicts a seated Maitreya Buddha and is considered a masterpiece of cliffside carving art from the Tang Dynasty.
Admire the giant stone-carved seated Maitreya Buddha statue
The Leshan Giant Buddha was carved during the Tang Dynasty and took three generations of craftsmen 90 years to complete. This seated statue of Maitreya Buddha stands approximately 70 meters tall, making it a colossal stone-carved masterpiece. Marvel at the towering grandeur of the Leshan Giant Buddha and be amazed by how ancient artisans could create such an exquisite statue without modern large-scale tools.
Pray for peace and good health.
The Leshan Giant Buddha has always been a sacred Buddhist site. Standing before this colossal statue with hands pressed together in prayer, one can calmly offer blessings—for personal peace, family well-being, and friends' health.
Lingyun Temple
Lingyun Temple is a triple quadrangle architectural complex consisting of the Mahavira Hall and the Scripture Depository. The temple enjoys thriving incense offerings, with a continuous stream of visitors coming to pray for blessings. The temple's landscaping is also well-maintained, featuring not only surrounding trees but also numerous potted plants. It's an excellent place to experience Buddhist culture.
Leshan Sleeping Buddha: Discovering the Reclining Buddha on the River
On the surface of the Qingyi River, several mountain peaks connect to form a striking resemblance to a reclining Buddha, complete with the head, body, and feet. The Sleeping Buddha lies on its back, creating a fascinating sight. The best spot to view the "Sleeping Buddha" is near the Yingchunmen Dock in the eastern part of Leshan's ancient city.
Tour Route:
The popular tourist route involves taking the stairs to Lingyun Temple, then reaching the head of the Giant Buddha. Descend via the Nine-Bend Stack Path from the Buddha's head to its feet, where you can take photos as souvenirs before climbing back up. Another way to experience the Buddha is by taking a boat tour, which allows you to admire the full panoramic view of the Giant Buddha from a distance.
Walking tour: Experience the majestic grandeur of the giant Buddha up close
Most visitors have heard of the Leshan Giant Buddha and seen pictures of it. But when you actually approach and visit the Buddha in person, you can truly feel its towering grandeur and your own insignificance - just the Buddha's foot alone can accommodate over a hundred people sitting around it. At the base of the Buddha, you can look up at its entire majestic form. Don't forget to take photos to commemorate your visit.
Boat tour: View the full panorama of the Leshan Giant Buddha from a distance
Visitors who want a closer view of the giant Buddha or have limited physical stamina can choose to admire it from a boat on the river. Gliding along the water, you'll get a panoramic view of the Buddha, capture precious photos, and enjoy the scenic riverside landscape.
1. Reasons for the construction of the Leshan Giant Buddha
Legend has it that in ancient times at the confluence of the Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu Rivers in Leshan, the water currents were extremely fierce, causing frequent shipwrecks. To tame the turbulent waters, Master Haitong gathered resources and manpower to carve the Leshan Giant Buddha. After its completion, the water flow miraculously calmed significantly, allowing ships to pass through safely.
2. Leshan Giant Buddha closes eyes and sheds tears
In 1962, after three years of natural disasters, corpses floated on the Min Mountains. At the time, people believed the Great Buddha couldn't bear to witness this human tragedy and thus painfully closed its eyes while silently weeping. The scientific explanation is that the statue's closed eyes were caused by acid rain, or more precisely, acid deposition. Acid rain can dissolve the hardened cement surface of non-metallic building materials, creating holes and cracks that damage structures.
3. The official name of the Leshan Giant Buddha
"The Leshan Giant Buddha" is actually a common name given by later generations to this giant Buddha located in Leshan, Sichuan Province. The true official name of this Tang Dynasty Buddha has remained a mystery. In fact, according to investigations by numerous experts, the true official name of this stone-carved statue known as the "Leshan Giant Buddha" should be: The Great Maitreya Stone Statue of Jiazhou Lingyun Temple.
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Fascinating place and a definite location to visit whilst near Leshan to be impressed by the sheer scale of this engineering effort. Our family enjoyed the outing that took about four hours to complete. A bit of walking required. Save time and effort by paying 15rmb for a trolley ride to the north gate from the entrance and then back from the east gate. Coming from Chengdu catch the high speed train. Takes about an hour to get there and best to book your return train because can sell out fast towards the end of the day.
The place is worth a visit for first time travellers to experience China cultura rich heritage. Would recommend a day trip from Chengdu.
The Leshan Giant Buddha is truly awe-inspiring! The majestic Buddha sits majestically overlooking the river, its grandeur breathtaking. Looking up at it up close along the plank road, one can better appreciate its solemnity and the wisdom of the ancients. The perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage makes the trip truly worthwhile.
[Scenery] It is worth a visit. The Leshan Giant Buddha is a very good place to travel. It is located on the east bank of the Minjiang River, next to the Lingyun Temple, near the confluence of the Dadu River, Qingyi River and Minjiang River, so it is particularly spectacular. [Fun] You can take a detailed look at the Buddha. I came here three times, but I only bought a ticket once to see it. The flow of people to the Leshan Giant Buddha is controlled, so it is difficult to buy tickets. But it is convenient to take a boat. The Buddha is a sitting statue of Maitreya Buddha, 71 meters high, and is the largest cliff stone statue in China. It was built in the Tang Dynasty. The Leshan Giant Buddha looks solemn. And the farther away from this scenic spot, it looks like a sleeping Buddha, which is particularly magical. [Cost-effectiveness] Tickets are required for sightseeing. Taking a boat is different from visiting the riverside, and both are not expensive.
Wandering the Millennium Giant Buddha: The Spiritual Journey of the Leshan Giant Buddha The Leshan Giant Buddha, as the world's largest stone-carved sitting Buddha, stands at the confluence of the Minjiang River, Qingyi River and Dadu River, quietly watching over this land and witnessing the vicissitudes of history and the changes of the world. Recently, I had the honor to visit this magnificent Buddha statue in person, and my heart was full of anticipation and awe. Early in the morning, I took a tourist bus from Chengdu and arrived in Leshan after about a two-hour drive. The sun shines through the thin clouds on the earth, the air is filled with a fresh breath, and my mood is particularly happy. After arriving in Leshan, I stepped into the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area. The first thing that caught my eye was the towering mountain, which seemed to be telling me a thousand-year story. Passing through the quiet path and passing through ancient temples, I finally arrived at the foot of the Buddha. Standing in front of the Buddha, I couldn't help but feel shocked. The Buddha statue is 71 meters high, with a kind face and his hands resting peacefully on his knees, as if silently guarding this land. I decided to walk up the side path first, along the stone steps, and savor this masterpiece of art. The carvings on both sides of the stone steps are lifelike, as if every stone is telling its own story. As the height increases, the vision becomes wider, the sparkling Minjiang River, the clear Qingyi River, and the mountains in the distance are like a vivid landscape painting. At the top of the Buddha, I sat down quietly, closed my eyes, felt the breeze on my face, and my heart was filled with tranquility and peace. At this time, I understood why the Leshan Giant Buddha can attract countless tourists to come for pilgrimage, because here, the distance between man and nature, man and history, and man and soul seems to be shortened. During the tour of the Leshan Giant Buddha, I also learned that this Buddha statue was advocated and built by Hai Tong, a high monk in the Tang Dynasty. It took 90 years to complete and condensed the efforts and wisdom of countless craftsmen. Every carving and every stone carries a profound cultural heritage, which makes me admire this giant Buddha even more. When the sun sets, I stand at the foot of the Buddha, looking back at this towering Buddha statue, my heart is full of emotion. The Leshan Giant Buddha is not only a symbol of religious belief, but also a treasure of Chinese culture. Here, I feel a power beyond time and space, which allows me to find inner peace in the hustle and bustle of life. Leshan Giant Buddha Tour Guide Transportation: Starting from Chengdu, you can choose high-speed rail or long-distance bus, the journey takes about 2 hours. After arriving in Leshan, take the bus to the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, which is convenient and fast. Ticket information: The ticket for the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area is generally around 80 yuan. It is recommended to book online in advance to avoid queuing. Best time to visit: Spring and autumn are the best time to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, with pleasant climate and the most charming scenery. Play time: It is recommended to arrange half a day to a day to visit, so that you can savor the magnificence of the Buddha and experience the food culture of Leshan. Note: There are many people in the scenic area. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and maintain good physical strength. At the same time, respect the local religious culture and keep quiet. The Leshan Giant Buddha, this thousand-year-old giant Buddha, will be forever engraved in my heart and become my
Take the bus to Jiadingfang, and take the free shuttle bus to the North Gate. After entering, there will be a fork in the road. It is recommended to go up the mountain on the left to the Three Rivers Confluence Viewing Platform, and then go to the Moruo Hall, Lingbao Pagoda, Su Garden, Lingyun Temple and other small attractions. Walk along the way to see the Buddha heads on both sides. The next is the highlight, walk down the plank road to the Buddha foot platform. The Buddha is very spectacular, except for the long queues. Finally, you can exit from the South Gate.
The Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world. It is located at the confluence of the Minjiang River, Qingyi River and Dadu River in Leshan, Sichuan. It was originally built to pray for peace. Entering the scenic area, you first climb the steps to reach the Buddha's head level with the mountain. The body is very huge, with his hands on his knees, his feet on the river, sitting by the river, and a dignified look. Although I have seen the Leshan Giant Buddha many times on the Internet, I was still deeply shocked by the huge body of the Buddha when I arrived at the scene! Then you can go down to the Buddha's feet and get close to the Buddha.
The Leshan Giant Buddha, located on the east bank of the Minjiang River in southern Leshan City, Sichuan Province, is the largest cliff-carved statue in the world and is known as a World Cultural Heritage. It is not only famous for its magnificent scale and exquisite carving skills, but also for its unique historical background and religious significance. The construction of the Leshan Giant Buddha began in the first year of the Kaiyuan Period in the Tang Dynasty (713), and took 90 years to complete in the 19th year of the Zhenyuan Period (803). It was initiated by Zen Master Hai Tong with the aim of slowing down the rapid flow of the water at the confluence of the Minjiang River, Qingyi River and Dadu River to protect the safety of passing ships. The Giant Buddha is a seated statue of Maitreya Buddha, 71 meters tall, with its head level with the mountain. It sits upright with a serious expression and its hands resting on its legs. The overall shape is solemn and majestic.