After spending a good and resourceful night sleep at the 'quiet hotel' in Emeishan, we took a bus through the 'transfer centre for tourist' for a 45 min ride to Leshan. Half journey, the driver told to board a public bus, so we complied without asking too many questions. Nobody actually speaks English anyway. Most people can only say 'Hello' and giggle when you reply.
Leshan is famous for its huge riverside cliff-carving of Buddha - The Leshan Grand Buddha (乐山大佛). A 71-metre high sculpture carved out of a large cliff and the largest and tallest Buddha in the world.
Before heading to the Grand Buddha, as we were waiting for our fellow tourists to leave, we explored the park: the various temples and shrines scattered about and the remarkable Haoshang bridge further down the old fishing village. Sadly, the village has become a tourist trap where you can eat (local products?) and buy souvenirs.
As we approached the Grand Buddha, most visitors were gone. We could, at our place own pace, snake down the narrow stone steps leading to the base of the Leshan Grand Buddha. The view from below was breathtaking. We felt like ants walking next gigantic toes.
After spending the afternoon in the park and enjoying the view, we went back by public buses. It wasn't easy. We got help from locals and a gentleman even paid for our bus as we run out of small money. Unfortunately, we got lost and ended back at the train station where we started two hours earlier. So, we gave up and took a train to Emeishan. From there, our bed was not too far...
