Leshan Giant Buddha Travel Guide: Ticket Prices, Transport and Money-Saving Tips

Leshan Giant Buddha is located in Leshan City, Sichuan Province, China, at the confluence of the Minjiang River, Qingyi River and Dadu River. This sitting Maitreya Buddha statue was carved in the Tang Dynasty, with a total height of 71 meters. It took 90 years to complete and has a history of over 1,000 years. The Buddha is well-proportioned and solemn, an outstanding representative of ancient Chinese stone carving art. As a world cultural and natural heritage site, it attracts numerous tourists every year. This guide covers tickets, opening hours, transport, accommodation, catering and budget tips, helping tourists grasp key information and visit smoothly.

Leshan Giant Buddha Ticket Prices and Preferential Policies

The following is the core information about tickets, which is recommended to read before departure:

Peak season ticket 80 CNY, off-peak season ticket 50 CNY: Peak season (April 1 to October 7) regular ticket 80 CNY per person; off-peak season (October 8 to March 31 of the next year) is reduced to 50 CNY per person. Students, the elderly and other people can enjoy half-price discounts with valid certificates. River cruise tickets are purchased separately at 70 CNY per person; children under 1.2 meters tall are free.
Preferential policies for group tours: Overseas group tours (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions) can enjoy 50% off full-price tickets for daytime mountain visits and night tours of Lingyun Mountain, and 15% off full-price tickets for daytime river cruises (applicable from January 1 to May 31, October 9 to December 31). Domestic group tours in China can enjoy the “10 free 1″offer for daytime mountain visit tickets.
Online ticket purchase saves time: You can search for “Dafu Tourism”on WeChat or Alipay mini-programs to buy tickets, or search for “Leshan Giant Buddha”on Douyin to buy tickets. Offline ticket offices include North Visitor Center, South Visitor Center, North Gate, South Gate and West Gate.
Tickets include multiple attractions: Regular tickets include Wuyou Temple and Mahao Cliff Tomb Museum, no extra tickets are needed. If you only want to take a boat to see the full view of the Buddha from the river without entering the scenic area, you only need to buy a cruise ticket at 70 CNY per person.
Avoid three peak periods: Spring Festival, May Day and National Day. The number of tourists is the highest during these three holidays, and some preferential policies are not applicable. It is recommended to avoid these periods as much as possible.

Ticket Difference Between Peak and Off-Peak Seasons

Peak season (April 1 to October 7): regular ticket 80 CNY per person, half-price ticket 40 CNY per person. Off-peak season (October 8 to March 31 of the next year): regular ticket is reduced to 50 CNY per person. Choosing to travel in off-peak season can save 30 CNY just on tickets.

Opening Hours: Arrive Early to Save Time

Scenic area opening hours: Peak season 07:30 to 18:30; off-peak season 08:00 to 17:30.
River cruise operation hours: Peak season 07:30 to 18:00; off-peak season 08:00 to 17:30 (no ticket collection after 17:00).
Night tour of Lingyun Mountain: Summer 19:30 to 22:30 (last entry 21:30); winter 19:00 to 22:00 (last entry 21:30). At present, the night tour of Lingyun Mountain is suspended due to equipment maintenance on the mountain. Please pay attention to the scenic area announcement for the specific reopening time.

It is recommended to arrive at the scenic area gate before 8:00. Group tours usually arrive after 9:00, and arriving half an hour early can reduce a lot of queuing time. Especially for Jiuqu Plank Road, the queuing time can be as long as one to two hours in peak season. The plank road is narrow, and the visiting experience is poor when crowded. Jiuqu Plank Road has 217 stone steps, and the narrowest part is only 0.6 meters, so you need patience while queuing.

Ticket Reservation Methods

It is recommended to make an online reservation one to two days in advance for peak season travel. You can buy tickets by searching for “Dafu Tourism”on WeChat or Alipay mini-programs, or searching for “Leshan Giant Buddha”on Douyin. Offline ticket offices: Leshan Giant Buddha North Visitor Center, Leshan Giant Buddha South Visitor Center, North Gate, South Gate, West Gate. Ticket consultation hotlines: 0833-2355557, 0833-2126582.

Panoramic Front View of Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha Travel Transport Guide

The following are practical suggestions on transport to help tourists save time and money:

Fly to Chengdu first from major cities, then transfer to high-speed rail: There is no civil airport in Leshan. Tourists usually fly to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport or Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, then take high-speed rail from Chengdu to Leshan, the whole journey takes about one hour.
Shuangliu Airport is more convenient than Tianfu Airport: Shuangliu Airport is closer to Leshan, with a high-speed rail station inside the airport, which can go directly to Leshan Railway Station without entering the urban area of Chengdu.
High-speed rail is the most recommended from Chengdu to Leshan: Chengdu East Railway Station and Chengdu South Railway Station have high-speed trains to Leshan Railway Station, the journey takes about 40 minutes to one hour, and the second-class seat fare is 46 to 54 CNY. There are frequent trains, about every half an hour.
Taxi is the most convenient from Leshan Railway Station to the scenic area: After exiting Leshan Railway Station, take a taxi to the scenic area for about 15 to 25 CNY, the journey takes 20 minutes. If three to four people travel together, the per capita cost is lower than that of a bus.
Direct bus is also available: Chengdu Xinnanmen Station and Chadianzi Station have direct buses to Leshan, the journey takes about two hours, the fare is about 50 CNY, and the destination is Leshan Xiaoba Tourist Station.

Transfer Methods After Arriving in Chengdu

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport: Closer to Leshan. There is a high-speed rail station inside the airport, you can take high-speed rail directly to Leshan Railway Station, the journey takes about one hour. After arriving at Leshan Railway Station, transfer to bus or taxi to the Buddha scenic area.
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport: Most flights land here. You can take Metro Line 18 from the airport to Chengdu South Railway Station (about 30 minutes), then transfer to high-speed rail to Leshan. You can also take a direct taxi, but the distance is long and the cost is high.

Practical suggestion: If you go to Leshan directly from the airport, it is recommended to transfer to high-speed rail directly inside the airport (both Shuangliu Airport Station and Tianfu Airport Station have high-speed rail stations), without going around the urban area of Chengdu first.

Transport Modes from Chengdu Urban Area to Leshan

High-speed rail or EMU: Chengdu East Railway Station and Chengdu South Railway Station have high-speed trains to Leshan Railway Station, the journey takes about 40 minutes to one hour, second-class seat fare 46 to 54 CNY. There are frequent trains, about every half an hour. After arriving at Leshan Railway Station, you can take a taxi or bus to the Buddha scenic area.
Long-distance bus: Chengdu Xinnanmen Station and Chadianzi Station have direct buses to Leshan, the journey takes about two hours, fare about 50 CNY. The destination is Leshan Xiaoba Tourist Station, you need to transfer to bus or taxi after getting off.
Self-driving: Start from Chengdu Ring Expressway, drive along Cheng-Le Expressway, the total distance is about 140 kilometers, toll is about 60 CNY, the journey takes about two hours.

Practical suggestion: High-speed rail is the best choice, with fast speed, stable fare and frequent trains. Take the earliest high-speed train from Chengdu East Railway Station (departs at 06:15), you can arrive at Leshan Railway Station after seven o’clock, just in time for the opening of the scenic area.

Transport Modes from Leshan Urban Area to the Buddha Scenic Area

Bus: After exiting Leshan Railway Station, take Bus No. 3, 13, etc. directly to “Leshan Giant Buddha”stop, fare 2 CNY, journey about 40 minutes.
Taxi or online car-hailing: From Leshan Railway Station to the scenic area, the cost is about 15 to 25 CNY, the journey takes 20 minutes. If departing from near Leshan Port, the taxi fare is about 10 CNY.
Walking: If you stay near Leshan Port, you can walk along Binjiang Road to the North Gate of the Buddha scenic area, about 15 minutes, you can enjoy the river view along the way.
Scenic area shuttle bus: The scenic area provides shuttle bus service, 10 CNY per person for a single trip, 15 CNY per person for the whole day (unlimited rides), the route is from South Visitor Center to North Visitor Center. It is recommended to take the shuttle bus to save energy when carrying the elderly or children.

Practical suggestion: If three to four people travel together, take a taxi directly from Leshan Railway Station to the scenic area, the per capita cost is lower than that of a bus, and it saves more time.

Comparison of Two Visiting Modes of Leshan Giant Buddha

After entering the scenic area, tourists face a choice: buy a scenic area ticket and go down the plank road to the Buddha’s feet, or only buy a cruise ticket to view the Buddha from the river. The two modes have different experiences, and it is recommended to decide in advance.

Buy a scenic area ticket (80 CNY in peak season / 50 CNY in off-peak season): You can go down to the Buddha’s feet platform along Jiuqu Plank Road and look up at the full view of the Buddha closely. Standing under the Buddha’s feet and looking up at the 71-meter-high Buddha statue, the shock cannot be replaced by taking a boat. Jiuqu Plank Road is about 500 meters long with 217 stone steps, built at the same time when the Buddha statue was carved, with Tang Dynasty stone carvings along the way. This mode is suitable for tourists interested in stone carving art and Buddhist culture.
Only buy a river cruise ticket (70 CNY): View the full view of the Buddha from the river, which is the only way to take a full-body photo of the front of the Buddha. The cruise takes about 30 minutes, easy and not tiring, suitable for tourists with limited time or difficulty walking steps.
Experience both modes: If time and physical strength permit, it is recommended to experience both modes. Walking up the mountain allows you to observe the details of the Buddha closely (there are drainage holes in the Buddha’s ears, the hair buns are spiral, these details can only be seen on the walking plank road). Taking a boat allows you to look up at the Buddha from the river and take 71-meter full-body photos.

Jiuqu Plank Road of Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha Travel Cost Breakdown

Many tourists are most concerned about the budget when making a Leshan Giant Buddha travel guide. The following is a detailed list of the standard itinerary costs from Chengdu:

Transport: Round-trip high-speed rail from Chengdu to Leshan is about 100 CNY. Round-trip bus fare from Leshan Railway Station to the scenic area is about 8 CNY, or round-trip taxi fare is about 30 to 50 CNY.
Ticket fee: Leshan Giant Buddha ticket 50 to 80 CNY (50 CNY in off-peak season, 80 CNY in peak season). If you choose a river cruise, the cruise ticket is 70 CNY per person.
Catering fee: Lunch costs about 30 to 60 CNY, you can taste local foods such as Qiaojiao Beef, Boboji, tofu pudding. It is recommended to bring your own snacks and drinking water; a bottle of mineral water costs 5 to 8 CNY in the scenic area.
Insurance fee: Travel insurance costs about 5 to 10 CNY, which can be checked when buying tickets.

Total one-day budget (excluding river cruise): about 230 to 270 CNY per person.
Total one-day budget (including river cruise): about 300 to 340 CNY per person.

If you come to Leshan specially from other cities and stay for one night, you need to add accommodation costs. Budget hotels in Leshan urban area are about 150 to 250 CNY per night, mid-range hotels are about 300 to 500 CNY per night.

Recommended Accommodation Areas for Leshan Giant Buddha Travel

The following is the core information of three accommodation areas, tourists can choose according to their budget and itinerary:

Most recommended near Leshan Port: Only more than one kilometer away from the North Gate of the Buddha scenic area, within walking distance. This area is the old town of Leshan with concentrated catering, you can visit East Street at night to taste various snacks. There are diverse hotel options, from youth hostels for dozens of CNY to comfortable hotels for four to five hundred CNY. Leshan Longchen Hotel is located on East Street, two minutes’ walk to Leshan Port Cruise Terminal, you can take a boat to watch the full view of the Buddha on the river.
Around the Buddha scenic area is suitable for early entry: Closest to the scenic area, you can enter first in the morning, but there are fewer options for night catering and shopping. Recommended: “Shanshi Boutique Homestay”, “Zen Hotel”, etc., price 200 to 400 CNY.
Near Leshan High-speed Rail Station is suitable for catching early trains: The hotels are new and affordable, but about seven to eight kilometers away from the scenic area, you need to take a taxi or bus. Recommended: “Ji Hotel”, “Atour Hotel”, etc.

Practical tip: There are many and cost-effective accommodation options in Leshan urban area, you can stay in a good hotel for 150 to 400 CNY, and it is convenient to dine at night, which is the most recommended accommodation area.

Introduction to Leshan Giant Buddha Travel Cuisine

Leshan is a famous food city in Sichuan Province, China, and many Chengdu residents drive here specially for meals. The following five foods are worth trying:

Qiaojiao Beef: A specialty dish of Suji Town, Leshan. The beef soup is clear and sweet, the beef offal is soft and rotten, and it tastes excellent dipped in chili powder. Per capita consumption 30 to 50 CNY, Old Wharf and Leshan Food Street are the main check-in spots.
Boboji: Cold pot skewers, divided into red oil and vine pepper flavors, each skewer costs a few cents to one or two yuan. Boboji originated in Leshan with authentic taste.
Tofu Pudding: Leshan tofu pudding is salty, with crispy meat, peanuts and mustard inside, thickened with starch.
Crispy Sweet Duck: The duck skin is fried and brushed with syrup, crispy outside and tender inside. Recommended local chain brand: “Xu Liang Crispy Sweet Duck”.
Egg Baked Cake: Street snack, made with eggs and flour into a small cake, filled with minced meat, ham or jam, cheap and delicious.

Per capita catering consumption: Breakfast 10 to 15 CNY, main meal 30 to 60 CNY, tasting snacks about 20 to 30 CNY can fill you up.

Practical tip: Restaurants in the scenic area are relatively expensive, it is recommended to dine in the urban area. Leshan Food Street and Chunhua Road are food gathering places frequented by locals, with fair prices and authentic taste. Zhanggongqiao Food Street is close to the scenic area, with convenient catering and accommodation.

Leshan Giant Buddha Travel Money-Saving Tips

The following seven methods can help tourists control the budget in the Leshan Giant Buddha travel guide:

Choose to travel in off-peak season: There are fewer tourists from November to March, ticket prices are lower, and hotels also offer discounts. The temperature in Leshan is not low in winter, and the Buddha has a unique charm in the mist.
Do not take a river cruise: Unless you want to take a full-body photo of the Buddha’s front on the river, you can also clearly watch the Buddha from the Buddha’s head platform or Buddha’s feet platform. The 70 CNY cruise ticket can be saved.
Bring your own drinking water and dry food: A bottle of mineral water costs 5 to 8 CNY and a bucket of instant noodles 15 CNY in the scenic area. Buying in urban supermarkets in advance can save a lot of money.
No need to hire a tour guide: There are text introduction boards at each main attraction in the scenic area, and you can also get enough information by listening to the explanations of group tours for free.
Stay in youth hostels or budget hotels: There are youth hostels for dozens of CNY near Leshan Port, with acceptable conditions, suitable for backpackers.
Carpool or take a bus: Do not take unlicensed cars soliciting customers after exiting Leshan Railway Station, metered taxis or online car-hailing are the most cost-effective. Buses are slow but the fare is only 2 CNY.
Book tickets online in advance: Book tickets online one to two days in advance for peak season travel, which can save on-site queuing time and avoid being cheated by scalpers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leshan Giant Buddha Travel

Q: Do I need to make a reservation in advance for Leshan Giant Buddha?
A: In peak season, especially summer and holidays, you must make an online reservation one to two days in advance. You can buy tickets through the official WeChat public account of “Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area”or platforms such as Ctrip and Meituan. On-site window ticket purchase is generally feasible in off-peak season, but advance booking is more secure. The daily passenger flow can reach 60,000 to 80,000 on weekends in peak season, and you may not be able to enter the park without booking in advance.

Q: Is luggage storage available in the scenic area?
A: Yes. There are luggage storage offices at the North Gate and East Gate of the scenic area, 5 CNY per small item, 10 CNY per large item. If you carry a suitcase, it is recommended to store it first before entering the scenic area.

Q: Is Jiuqu Plank Road difficult to walk? Can elderly people walk it?
A: The plank road has 217 stone steps, which are downward and not laborious. But the steps are narrow and steep, and some sections can only accommodate one person. Elderly people in good health and convenient movement can walk slowly; if you have trouble with your legs and feet, it is recommended to only visit the Buddha’s head platform and not go down.

Q: Can Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei be visited together?
A: Yes. The urban area of Leshan is about 30 kilometers away from Mount Emei Scenic Area, it only takes 15 minutes by high-speed rail (Leshan Railway Station to Emei Railway Station), and you can also take a bus or taxi. The two world heritage sites are close to each other with convenient transport, and can be visited in series.

Q: What are the precautions in the scenic area?
A: Do not buy scalper tickets at the entrance of the scenic area. Do not believe people who solicit customers in the name of “free tea”and “free fortune-telling”on the road, and you will be charged hundreds of CNY in the end. Burning incense and praying in the scenic area is a voluntary act, and some places will imply donating high-priced incense (hundreds to thousands of CNY), you can refuse directly if you do not want to donate. Be careful when buying silver ornaments, medicinal materials, etc. in the scenic area to avoid being cheated. Please respect local religious beliefs and customs when visiting, do not make loud noises, and do not touch the Buddha statue at will.

Leshan Giant Buddha Travel Tips

Making a Leshan Giant Buddha travel guide is not complicated, the key is to know the basic information such as tickets, transport, accommodation and catering in advance. Choosing to travel in off-peak season can save money, and arriving early in the morning can avoid the crowd peak. Wear comfortable shoes, take sun protection measures, bring a hat, and ensure your mobile phone has enough power. The Buddha is worth a full day of slow visiting. There are Wuyou Temple and Mahao Cliff Tomb Museum around Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, which can be visited together after buying a regular ticket without extra tickets. If you plan to stay in Leshan for a longer time, you can also go to Leshan Giant Buddha Cultural Square and Jiadingfang Block in the urban area of Leshan to feel the local historical atmosphere. Regarding altitude sickness, Leshan is about 500 meters above sea level, and altitude discomfort generally does not occur, so tourists do not need special preparation. If you want to avoid the trouble of booking tickets, checking transport and finding accommodation by yourself, China Dragon Travel has been operating Sichuan travel routes for a long time, and is very familiar with Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei, providing services such as ticket booking, vehicle arrangement and tour guides. Welcome to contact us if you need, inform the number of travelers and travel time, we will provide free itinerary advice. We hope the above information is helpful for your trip to Leshan.