Leshan Giant Buddha Ticket Prices: Best Ways to Buy 80 CNY Full-Price Tickets

When visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan, China, first confirm its ticket prices and purchase methods. Standing 71 meters tall, it was carved in the Tang Dynasty over 90 years under Master Haitong to control floods at the confluence of the Dadu, Qingyi and Min Rivers. In 1996, it was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site and is China’s largest cliff stone statue. Each year, countless tourists worldwide come to see the wonder of “the mountain is a Buddha and the Buddha is a mountain”. This article covers its ticket prices, discounts, purchase channels and visiting highlights to help you plan your trip.

Leshan Giant Buddha Ticket Prices Overview

Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area offers the following ticket types, and tourists can choose according to their visiting ways:

Daytime Mountain Tour Ticket: 80 CNY for full price, 40 CNY for half price. It covers core scenic spots of Leshan Giant Buddha, Lingyun Temple, Mahao Cliff Tombs, Wuyou Temple and other attractions. Tourists can walk down to the Buddha’s feet through Jiuqu Plank Road or Lingyun Plank Road.
Daytime Cruise Ticket: 70 CNY per person. View the full panorama of the Buddha and the Giant Sleeping Buddha from the river. Children under 1.2 meters tall are free. The cruise stops in front of the Buddha for about 5 minutes for photos, which is the only way to take a complete picture of the whole Buddha.
Night Cruise on the Three Rivers Ticket: About 120 CNY. Watch the Buddha light show by boat at night, with a sailing duration of about 30 to 40 minutes. Note that the Night Tour of Lingyun Mountain has been suspended since March 8, and the reopening time will be announced by the scenic area.
Combined Ticket (Including Oriental Buddha Capital): About 120 CNY. It covers the mountain tour ticket and Oriental Buddha Capital ticket.

Key Information Quick View

Daytime mountain tour ticket: 80 CNY, covering the core Buddha scenic area, Lingyun Temple, Mahao Cliff Tombs, Wuyou Temple and other attractions.
Daytime cruise ticket: 70 CNY, viewing the full panorama of the Buddha and the Giant Sleeping Buddha from the river; children under 1.2 meters tall are free.
Night cruise on the three rivers ticket: About 120 CNY, enjoying the Buddha illuminated by night lights on the river.
Combined ticket: About 120 CNY, covering mountain tour ticket and Oriental Buddha Capital ticket.
Opening Hours: Peak season (April 1 to October 7) 07:30 to 18:30; Off-season (October 8 to March 31 of the next year) 08:00 to 17:30.
River Cruise Opening Hours: Peak season 07:30 to 18:30 (ticket collection stops after 18:00); Off-season 08:00 to 17:30 (ticket collection stops after 17:00).
Scenic Area Consultation Phone: 0833-2355557.

Aerial View of Leshan Giant Buddha at the Confluence of Three Rivers

Eligible Groups for Leshan Giant Buddha Ticket Discounts

Leshan Giant Buddha tickets implement half-price and free admission policies for specific groups. Please bring relevant documents to save expenses before traveling.

Free Admission Groups (Free Entry)

Children under 1.2 meters tall (inclusive), or children under 6 years old (inclusive) with valid ID cards, household registers and other valid documents.
Seniors aged 65 and above (inclusive).
Seniors aged 60 to 64 on non-national statutory holidays.
Active military personnel, disabled military personnel, retired cadres (non-commissioned officers) and veterans with valid documents.
Persons with disabilities with valid documents (one accompanying person is allowed to enter for free for blind people and people with severe physical, intellectual and mental disabilities).
Retired cadres, provincial and ministerial level model workers or heroes, national moral models with valid documents.
Holders of valid Press Cards issued by the National Press and Publication Administration.
Buddhist clergy with valid documents.

Free admission groups need to book “0-yuan tickets”on official platforms, and verify with valid documents when entering the scenic area.

Half-Price Admission Groups (40 CNY Half Price)

Minors aged over 6 years old (exclusive) to 18 years old (inclusive) with ID cards, household registers or other valid documents.
Full-time undergraduate students and below with valid documents.
Seniors aged 60 to 64 with ID cards or senior citizen cards on national statutory holidays.

Money-Saving Tips

Seniors over 65 years old are free all year round without buying tickets.
Seniors aged 60 to 64: free on non-statutory holidays, half-price on statutory holidays.
Students (full-time undergraduate and below) get half-price with student ID cards.
Teenagers aged 7 to 17 get half-price with relevant documents.
Overseas group tours (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions) enjoy 50% off full-price tickets for daytime mountain tours and night tours of Lingyun Mountain, and 15% off full-price tickets for daytime river cruises (applicable from January 1 to May 31, and October 9 to December 31).
Domestic group tours in China enjoy a “10 free 1″offer for daytime mountain tour tickets per group.

Leshan Giant Buddha Ticket Purchase Channels

Leshan Giant Buddha tickets can be purchased through multiple online and offline channels. Online advance booking avoids on-site queuing.

Online Ticket Purchase Methods

Search “Dafo Tourism”on WeChat or Alipay Mini Programs.
Search “Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area”on Douyin.
Official WeChat Official Account: “Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area”.
Third-party travel platforms: Ctrip, Meituan, Fliggy, etc.

Offline Ticket Purchase Locations

Ticket windows at the North Visitor Center of Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area.
North Gate ticket windows.
Ticket windows at the South Visitor Center of Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area.

Practical Ticket Purchase Tips

Mountain tour tickets and cruise tickets are purchased separately, with fixed inventories on all channels.
After successful online ticket purchase, you can enter the scenic area by swiping your ID card.
It is recommended to book 1 to 2 days in advance during peak season (May to October); strict flow control during holidays, so it is recommended to lock tickets 3 to 7 days in advance.
Online purchased Leshan Giant Buddha tickets can be applied for a refund before 24:00 on the same day if unused.
Ticket consultation phone: 0833-2355557.
Note for self-driving tourists: vehicles entering the scenic area after 19:00 daily can enjoy free parking from 19:00 of the same day to 07:00 of the next day (except Spring Festival, May Day and National Day holidays).

Main Attractions Included with Leshan Giant Buddha Tickets

After purchasing Leshan Giant Buddha tickets, the following attractions in the scenic area are worth visiting carefully.

Jiuqu Plank Road and Lingyun Plank Road

Jiuqu Plank Road is located on the right side of the Buddha, with about 217 stone steps winding down the cliff, and the narrowest part is only 0.6 meters wide. Walking on it allows you to closely observe the details of the Buddha’s face and chest. A thousand-year-old drainage system is hidden among the 1,021 spiral topknots of the Buddha. Looking up at the 71-meter-tall giant Buddha on the Buddha’s foot platform, the visual impact is extremely strong. Queuing for the plank road for 1 to 2 hours is common in peak season, so it is recommended to enter the scenic area before 8:00. If Jiuqu Plank Road is closed for maintenance, tourists can walk down to the Buddha’s feet via Lingyun Plank Road. Leshan Giant Buddha tickets include the use of the plank road with no extra charge.

Plank Road Visiting Tips

Queuing for the plank road for 1 to 2 hours is common in peak season, so enter the scenic area before 8:00.
Jiuqu Plank Road may be closed for maintenance in winter; take Lingyun Plank Road instead.
Leshan Giant Buddha tickets include the use of the plank road with no extra charge.
The plank road is narrow and steep, so wearing non-slip sports shoes is very important.
There are multiple viewing platforms along the plank road for stopping and taking photos.

Lingyun Temple

Lingyun Temple is on the right side of the Buddha’s head, first built in the Tang Dynasty, with Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall and Sutra Depository inside. Many tourists visit the temple after seeing the Buddha, and the incense is prosperous all year round, especially on the first and 15th day of the lunar month. You can overlook the magnificent view of the confluence of three rivers from Lingyun Temple. The temple provides vegetarian noodles at about 15 CNY per bowl, which can replenish your energy when you are tired from visiting.

Mahao Cliff Tombs

This attraction is near the South Gate of the scenic area, a group of cliff tombs from the Eastern Han Dynasty, with many portrait stone carvings preserved on the tomb walls. It is worth visiting for tourists interested in history, about 15 minutes’ walk from the core scenic area.

Giant Sleeping Buddha

When viewed from the cruise ship on the river, Wuyou Mountain, Lingyun Mountain and East Rock are connected as one, shaped like a giant sleeping Buddha lying on its back, with its head south and feet north, lying horizontally at the confluence of three rivers. This is a unique landscape that can only be enjoyed by cruise ship, about 1,300 meters long, with magnificent momentum.

Night View of Leshan Giant Buddha

Transportation to Leshan Giant Buddha

Arrive in Chengdu by International Flight
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Tianfu International Airport have numerous international routes. The most convenient way from the airport is to take high-speed rail to Leshan. There are direct intercity trains from Shuangliu Airport Station to Leshan, with a ride of about 50 minutes.

High-Speed Rail from Chengdu to Leshan
Chengdu East Railway Station and Chengdu South Railway Station have frequent high-speed rails and bullet trains to Leshan, with the shortest ride of about 41 minutes and a second-class seat fare of about 54 CNY. After arriving at Leshan Railway Station, take Bus No.3 or No.13 directly to Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, with a ride of about 30 minutes; a taxi costs about 25 CNY. There are discounts on tickets for some periods; second-class seats for early morning or night trains are as low as 27 CNY, and first-class seats as low as 43 CNY. The city bus fare is only 1 CNY.

Coach from Chengdu to Leshan
Chengdu Xinnanmen Station and Chadianzi Station have direct coaches to Leshan, with a ride of about 2 hours and a fare of about 40 to 50 CNY.

Self-Driving
Set navigation to “North Gate Parking Lot of Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area”, take Cheng-Le Expressway from Chengdu, and arrive in about 2 hours. The parking fee is 20 CNY per day. Parking spaces may be tight during holidays, so depart as early as possible. Vehicles entering after 19:00 daily can enjoy free parking before 07:00 the next day (except holidays).

Best Visiting Seasons for Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha ticket prices are relatively stable all year round, but the visiting experience varies significantly in different seasons.

Season Selection Suggestions:

Spring and autumn (March to May, September to November): Temperature 15 to 25 degrees Celsius, the most suitable for mountain climbing and plank road walking, high visibility, best shooting effect.
Summer (June to August): High temperature, but river water level rises, and cruise ships have a wide view. The scenic area has elevators to assist up and down the mountain, but queuing for elevators can last up to 1 hour in peak season.
Winter (November to February of the next year): Few tourists, comfortable off-season experience, but Jiuqu Plank Road may be closed for maintenance.
Peak season (May to October): Sufficient tickets but long queuing time; plank road queuing can take 1 to 2 hours.
National statutory holidays: Not recommended to visit during this period, extremely long plank road queuing time, daily flow limit of 41,000 people, entry time 8:00-14:00.
Best entry time: Arrive at the scenic area gate before 07:30 to avoid the peak period from 9:00 to 11:00, and there is basically no queuing for Jiuqu Plank Road.

Leshan Giant Buddha Visiting Precautions

Practical Tips

Wear comfortable shoes: There are many steps in the scenic area, so you must wear non-slip sports shoes.
Take sun protection measures: There is almost no shade on the Buddha Square in summer, please bring sun hats and sunscreen.
Avoid peak hours: The most crowded time is from 11:00 to 14:00, it is recommended to arrive at the gate before 8:00.
Bring your own drinking water and food: There are few stalls in the scenic area and prices are high; mineral water that costs 2 CNY outside the scenic area is sold for 5 to 8 CNY inside.
Protect cultural relics: Do not touch the Buddha statue, and turn off the flash when taking photos.
Check the plank road opening status: Jiuqu Plank Road may be closed for maintenance in winter, check the official WeChat Official Account announcement before departure.
Purchase travel insurance: It is recommended to buy travel insurance including accidental injury and emergency medical rescue.
For the elderly and people with reduced mobility: Enter from the East Gate, walk along the flat road to the viewing platform next to the Buddha’s head without taking the plank road; or choose to take a cruise ship and enjoy the Buddha while sitting the whole time.
Download offline maps in advance: The signal is unstable in some areas of the scenic area, please download offline maps before departure.
Refuse unlicensed tour guides: Some people sell low-cost tour guide services in the scenic area, most of which are unregulated. It is recommended to book tour guides through official channels.

Frequently Asked Questions about Leshan Giant Buddha Tickets

Q: What is the difference between Leshan Giant Buddha mountain tickets and cruise tickets?
A: Mountain tour ticket: 80 CNY, walk on the plank road and view the Buddha from multiple angles on land; cruise ticket: 70 CNY, view the full panorama of the Buddha and Sleeping Buddha on the river. The two experiences are completely different. It is recommended to experience both if time permits. Recommended order: first walk to see the details up close, then take a boat to take panoramic photos from a distance.

Q: Can I enter and exit the scenic area multiple times with a Leshan Giant Buddha ticket on the same day?
A: No. Tickets are valid on the day of purchase, and you need to buy new tickets to re-enter after leaving the scenic area. So please complete all preparations before entering the scenic area.

Q: How can the elderly and children buy tickets most cost-effectively?
A: Seniors over 65 years old are free; seniors aged 60 to 64 are free on non-statutory holidays and half-price on statutory holidays; students get half-price with student ID cards. For family trips, calculate the number of people in advance and select the corresponding ticket types when purchasing online.

Q: Can I bring pets into the scenic area after buying a Leshan Giant Buddha ticket?
A: No. Pets are prohibited in the scenic area, except guide dogs.

Q: Are there dining places in the scenic area?
A: There are convenience stores and fast food restaurants near the North Gate, but prices are high. It is recommended to bring your own dry food and drinking water, or dine outside the scenic area after the visit. Leshan urban area has rich and affordable local food; Bobo Chicken, Sweet Skin Duck and Qiaojiao Beef are local specialties. Zhanggongqiao Food Street offers all these dishes at a per capita consumption of about 50 CNY. Lingyun Temple in the scenic area provides vegetarian noodles at about 15 CNY per bowl.

Q: What is the alternative if I don’t want to climb the mountain?
A: You can choose to take a cruise ship to see the Buddha. Cruise ticket: 70 CNY, the whole trip takes about 30 minutes, stopping in front of the Buddha for about 5 minutes for photos. A cruise ship is the most labor-saving choice for people with reduced mobility. In addition, entering from the East Gate allows you to walk along the flat road to the viewing platform next to the Buddha’s head and see the front of the Buddha without taking the plank road.

Q: Can Leshan Giant Buddha tickets be refunded or changed?
A: Online purchased Leshan Giant Buddha tickets can be applied for a refund before 24:00 on the same day if unused, with a small handling fee possibly deducted. Please check the refund and change rules on the ticket purchase page for details.

Q: Will Jiuqu Plank Road be closed?
A: Jiuqu Plank Road may be closed for maintenance in winter, but tourists can walk down to the Buddha’s feet via Lingyun Plank Road for normal visiting. Please follow the official WeChat Official Account “Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area”for the latest opening information before departure.

Q: Can Leshan and Mount Emei be arranged for a combined visit?
A: Yes. Leshan is about 30 kilometers away from Mount Emei, with a ride of about 40 minutes. Many tourists arrange a visit to the two world heritages together, which usually takes 2 days.

A Trip to Leshan Giant Buddha Starts with a Ticket

After understanding the prices, discount policies and purchase methods of Leshan Giant Buddha tickets, you can plan your trip smoothly. Choose the right time, wear comfortable shoes, and bring necessary documents and items to fully feel the shock of this thousand-year stone statue. Buying Leshan Giant Buddha tickets is not complicated; online advance booking avoids wasting time queuing on site. For tourists who want to save the energy of arranging transportation and accommodation by themselves, they can contact China Dragon Travel, which has long been engaged in in-depth travel in Sichuan, China, and can assist in packaging tickets, vehicles and accommodation to make the trip smoother. Leshan Giant Buddha is only 30 kilometers away from Mount Emei, and the two world heritages can be visited together if time permits. It is very convenient to take high-speed rail or coach from Leshan to Mount Emei. The above information is compiled from official releases of the scenic area for reference before travel. We hope this guide helps you complete a smooth visit to Leshan Giant Buddha.