About This Experience

The Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world, standing 71 metres tall at the confluence of the Min, Dadu, and Qingyi rivers. Carved during the Tang Dynasty over a 90-year period beginning in 713 AD, it was designed to calm the turbulent waters at this dangerous river junction. Together with Mount Emei, it holds UNESCO World Heritage status.

What to Expect

The most impressive approach is by boat, which allows you to appreciate the full scale of the statue from the river. On foot, a steep stairway descends from the head to the feet along the cliff face, offering close-up views of the intricate carving details. At the base, looking up at the massive figure — its ears alone are 7 metres long — is a humbling experience. The surrounding park includes additional temples and cliff carvings.

Practical Tips

• The river boat cruise offers the best full-body view of the Buddha
• The stairway down to the feet involves a long queue — arrive early
• Combine the visit with Mount Emei for a full Emeishan experience
• The site is about 2 hours by bus from Chengdu
• Weekends and holidays bring very large crowds — plan accordingly