Full day excursion to the Giant Buddha in Leshan

Why not spend the day exploring the world’s largest Buddha, which is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

You will be picked up from the hotel by a driver and guide. Together, you will drive to Leshan, which is around a 2-hour drive from Chengdu. The drive takes you through the beautiful, scenic landscape of the southern part of Sichuan Province.

When you get there, you walk from the car park to the main entrance and into the park, where a path leads you further down to the giant Buddha.

The Giant Buddha is carved into a red sandstone cliff where the Dadu, Minjiang and Qingyi rivers meet. According to Chinese legend, many ships disappeared without trace in the whirlpools at the confluence of the rivers, as the waters here were very turbulent. A monk named Hai Tong therefore proposed the building of a giant sitting Buddha to watch over the ships and placate the evil river gods. For years, he asked for funds to begin the project, which was started during the Tang dynasty in 713. Unfortunately, the monk died when the project was half finished. After his death, the project therefore came to a halt due to lack of funding. It was not until 70 years later that local governor Wei Gao decided to sponsor the project, and the statue was completed in 803.

The excess rocks from the construction were placed in the river, which resulted in the flow actually being changed, making the waters safe for the ships to pass.

You arrive at a viewing platform, where you are almost face to face with the Buddha, which is 71 metres high and 28 metres wide. Here, you can admire the 1,021 finely carved hair bundles. A narrow stone staircase of 217 steps leads down the Buddha’s side and all the way to the feet. Along the way, you can admire the impressive statue from different angles. The sheer size of it amazes most people – the head, for example, measures 14.7 metres, the fingers measure 8.3 metres, with fingernails larger than the average person, and the feet are 11 metres long. The statue is truly impressive and overwhelming!

During construction, drainage pipes were installed to transport rainwater away from the statue to reduce weathering. However, this has not prevented ferns and other green plants from growing on the Buddha, so it is regularly cleaned and restored.

The climb up again is via the stone steps on the left-hand side of the Buddha. You pass the sacred temple Lingyan, also known as the Giant Buddha Temple, and follow the path to East Gate and back to the car park.

Late afternoon, you head back to Chengdu, where you will be driven back to your hotel.

Lunch is included.

NB! This tour is not suitable for those who have difficulty walking.

This excursion is open to TourCompass’ own guests only.

We recommend that you book the excursion from home, either when booking the tour or at least 3 weeks before departure. The excursion can also be booked by the guide at the destination, subject to availability.