Leshan is incredibly beautiful, but I honestly don’t recommend going in August because............
In-depth Leshan travel guide: savoring Bashu culture between the mountain-water Buddha land and everyday life (including practical price guide)
Leshan, a small city in southern Sichuan blessed by both Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha, is not only a Buddhist holy site but also a food paradise. The grandeur of the confluence of three rivers, the compassion of the millennium-old Buddha statue, and the spicy and fragrant flavors on every street corner together weave Leshan’s unique lifestyle aesthetics. Below is a practical guide covering classic attractions, authentic food, transportation, and accommodation to help you explore Leshan.
1. Preparation: Best season and budget
Best travel time:
Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November): Pleasant climate, ideal for hiking and Buddha viewing.
Summer (June-August): Rainy and humid, but Mount Emei offers cool respite.
Winter (December-February): Damp and cold with little snow, fewer tourists, and better accommodation value.
Budget reference (3 days 2 nights):
Budget: 800-1200 RMB/person (hostel + bus + snacks)
Comfort: 1500-2000 RMB/person (budget hotel + taxi + proper meals)
Luxury: 2500 RMB+/person (five-star hotel + private car + high-end dining)
2. Transportation guide: low-cost access throughout the city
External transport:
High-speed rail: About 50 minutes from Chengdu East/South Station to Leshan Station, second-class seat 54 RMB; about 2.5 hours from Chongqing West to Leshan, 128 RMB.
Bus: About 2 hours from Chengdu New South Gate Bus Station to Leshan Xiaoba Tourist Station, 46 RMB.
Self-driving: About 1.5 hours from Chengdu, toll about 35 RMB.
City transport:
Bus: Most attractions cost 1-2 RMB, get the “Leshan electronic bus card” on Alipay.
Taxi: Starting fare 6 RMB/2 km, usually under 15 RMB between city attractions.
Shared electric scooters: 2 RMB for 15 minutes, recommended for short trips (e.g., Zhanggong Bridge to Jiaxing Road).
Scenic shuttle bus: Round-trip bus between Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei 30 RMB/person, multiple daily departures.
3. Must-visit attractions: mountain-water Buddha charm and local life
1. Leshan Giant Buddha (ticket 80 RMB, includes Buddha’s foot platform)
Highlights: The world’s largest stone-carved Maitreya Buddha sitting statue, you can touch the Buddha’s foot up close and overlook the confluence of three rivers.
How to explore:
Hiking route: Enter from the north gate and exit from the east gate, about 2 hours, suitable for those with good stamina (see Lingyun Temple, Nine-bend plank road).
Boat route: 80 RMB/person (120 RMB for night tour), board at Wuyou Temple dock, 40 minutes to enjoy the full view of the Buddha and the sleeping Buddha wonder.
Tips: Avoid buying “fast track tickets,” no hidden charges inside the park; in summer, enter at 8 AM to avoid crowds.
2. Mount Emei (ticket 160 RMB, sightseeing bus 90 RMB)
Highlights: One of the four famous Buddhist mountains, known for sea of clouds, sunrise, Buddha’s light, and holy lamp.
One-day tour (for tight schedules): Baoguo Temple (8 RMB) → sightseeing bus to Leidongping (2 hours) → walk 1.5 km to Jieyin Hall → Golden Summit cable car (up 65 RMB) → view Samantabhadra statue → return the same way.
Two-day tour recommended:
Day 1: Stay near Qingyin Pavilion (homestay 150-300 RMB), hike Qingyin Pavilion - Yixiantian - ecological monkey area.
Day 2: Take sightseeing bus to Leidongping at 5 AM, climb Golden Summit to watch sunrise, return in the afternoon.
Tips: Large temperature difference at the summit, bring a light jacket in summer; anti-slip shoes are a must in winter.
Do not mention plastic bags in the monkey area to avoid conflicts.
3. Suji Ancient Town (free)
Highlights: A thousand-year-old water town, birthplace of “Qiaojiao Beef,” well-preserved bluestone streets and Ming-Qing architecture.
How to explore: Food stops: Old Stone Bridge Qiaojiao Beef (30 RMB/person), Zhouji Qiaojiao Beef, Xu Lianggao (brown sugar ice jelly 4 RMB).
Cultural experience: Visit Suji rice flower candy factory (DIY experience 20 RMB/person), stroll ancient theater stage and Rugong Bridge.
Transport: Taxi about 25 RMB from city center or take bus 304 (4 RMB).
4. Jiayang Small Train (one-way 80 RMB, round-trip 160 RMB)
Highlights: The world’s only still-operating narrow-gauge steam train, running through rapeseed flower fields in spring like a Studio Ghibli animation.
How to explore: Take the small train from Yuejin Station to Bajiagou (1.5 hours), visit the industrial ancient town and Huangcun Coal Mine experience (50 RMB).
Best seasons: Rapeseed flowers in February-March, sunflowers in October-November.
Transport: Bus from Leshan Intermodal Station to Qianwei 15 RMB, transfer to small train shuttle bus 3 RMB.
4. Food map: a feast from street food to old shops
1. Qiaojiao Beef (25-40 RMB/person)
Must-try: Feng Sanniang Qiaojiao Beef: clear broth, tender beef, stir-fried beef liver a must (28 RMB).
Yilaoba Qiaojiao Beef: local favorite, blood curd + steamed pork set (35 RMB).
Hidden tip: Dip in dry sauce (chili powder + Sichuan pepper powder + MSG), with a free bowl of lotus cabbage soup to balance the flavor.
2. Sweet Skin Duck (30-50 RMB/person)
Must-try: Zhao Duck: rich marinade, crispy sugar skin (half duck 35 RMB).
Ji Liuniang Sweet Skin Duck: sweeter, duck leg 8 RMB each.
Tip: Vacuum packaging costs extra 5 RMB, keeps for 3 days, great as a gift.
3. Bobo Chicken (25-40 RMB/person)**
Must-try: Grandma Ye’s Bobo Chicken: red oil and rattan pepper combo (0.7 RMB/skewer for meat and veggies), served with chicken soup rice (5 RMB).
Ji Laosi Yellow Chicken Bobo Chicken: tender chicken, free refills of chicken soup rice.
Hidden tip: Add a bottle of Emei Snow (local soda, 5 RMB) to cool the spice.
4. Night Market Delights (30-60 RMB/person)**
Zhanggong Bridge Food Street: Diba fried snacks: Wang Hedi’s family fried skewers (0.5 RMB/skewer for meat and veggies), pork belly a must.
Jiu Jiu Tofu Pudding: beef tofu pudding (12 RMB) + steamed pork (10 RMB).
Jiaxing Road Food Street: Chuanmei fancy ice jelly: mother-in-law ice jelly (12 RMB, 10 toppings).
Ju Popo Shaved Ice: mango pomelo sago flavor (18 RMB), very generous portions.
5. Niche experiences (10-30 RMB/person)**
Haihuiyuan Old Shaomai: shrimp shaomai (10 RMB/basket), served with shredded soup (3 RMB).
Jiu Jiu Tofu Pudding: egg-topped tofu pudding (13 RMB), silky and crispy texture contrast.
Min Laowu Tofu Pudding: card cake (8 RMB), beef or pork intestine sandwich, carb bomb.
5. Accommodation recommendations: from river view rooms to mountain homestays
Hostel/Budget: Leshan Backpacker Youth Hostel: dorm bed 40 RMB/night, near Zhanggong Bridge Food Street.
All Seasons Hotel (Leshan Zhanggong Bridge Branch): queen room 250 RMB/night, 15-minute walk to Leshan Giant Buddha.
Comfort: Leshan Chanyi Jiading Courtyard Hotel: river view room 400 RMB/night, includes afternoon tea, 5-minute walk to the Buddha.
Mount Emei Le Méridien Hotel: mountain view room 600 RMB/night, with hot springs, ideal for Mount Emei trips.
High-end: Leshan Riverside Cottage Homestay: panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Min River, from 1000 RMB/night.
Mount Emei Blu-ray Jizhuang Hotel: Southeast Asian style resort, private hot spring villas 2000 RMB/night.
6. Classic 3-day 2-night itinerary
Day 1: First impression of the Buddha land
Morning: Leshan Giant Buddha hiking route (enter north gate, exit east gate)
Lunch: Zhanggong Bridge Food Street (Diba fried snacks + Ju Popo shaved ice)
Afternoon: Suji Ancient Town (Qiaojiao Beef + Xu Lianggao)
Dinner: Jiaxing Road (Chuanmei ice jelly + Jiu Jiu tofu pudding)
Night tour: Min River night cruise (120 RMB)
Day 2: Mount Emei fairy mountain trip
Morning: Baoguo Temple → sightseeing bus to Leidongping → Golden Summit cable car to see sea of clouds
Lunch: Golden Summit vegetarian meal (48 RMB/person)
Afternoon: Qingyin Pavilion hike (Yixiantian + ecological monkey area)
Dinner: farmhouse dishes at Mount Emei foot (snow konjac duck 58 RMB)
Accommodation: Qingyin Pavilion homestay (includes breakfast 200 RMB/night)
Day 3: Leisurely tour of Leshan city
Morning: Jiayang small train (Yuejin Station → Bajiagou)
Lunch: Qianwei County (thin pancake + tofu pudding 15 RMB)
Afternoon: Leshan Museum (free, learn about the culture of the three rivers)
Dinner: Grandma Ye’s Bobo Chicken (red oil flavor + chicken soup rice)
Souvenirs: Zhao Duck Sweet Skin Duck (half 35 RMB) + Ji Liuniang chili powder (10 RMB/package)
7. Pitfall avoidance guide
Leshan Giant Buddha tips: Don’t trust roadside “low-price tickets” or “fast track,” official channels are safest.
Choose official boats (yellow paint) for cruises to avoid safety risks of black boats.
Mount Emei traps: don’t buy incense at the foot of the mountain, Golden Summit incense prices are transparent (20-100 RMB).
Don’t show valuables in the monkey area, hold cameras and phones tightly to avoid monkey snatching.
Food tips: Avoid touristy Qiaojiao Beef shops, local alleys are more authentic.
Bobo Chicken is charged by skewer count, confirm prices in advance to avoid overcharging.
Transport note: Use Didi for taxis in Leshan to avoid detours.
Mount Emei sightseeing bus last run at 6 PM; if missed, you must stay on the summit (expensive and basic conditions).
Conclusion: Leshan’s charm lies in that it can draw you for a giant Buddha and a fairy mountain, yet capture your stomach with a bowl of Qiaojiao Beef and a skewer of fried snacks. There’s no hustle and bustle of big cities here, only river breezes, lingering Buddhist chants, and the lively smoke and fire of street life. Bring this guide and spend three days understanding Leshan’s “Buddhist calm” and “spicy heat.”