Leshan

Travel Guide

Breath taking views from the mountain or river, the giant Buddha sits peaceful as the people go by #Nature
Construction on the Giant Buddha began in 713 AD. It was the idea of a Chinese monk named Haitong, who hoped that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters that plagued the shipping vessels travelling down the river. His plans were not just supernatural - the enormous amount of rubble carved away from the cliff would be deposited in the river, altering the currents and calming the waters. When government funding for the project was threatened, the monk is said to have gouged out his own eyes to show his piety and sincerity. The construction project was continued by his disciples and finally completed by the local governor in 803. #monks #buddhism #religion #china #History
Giant Buddha in Leshan, China. It is a 71-metre (233 ft) tall stone statue, built during the Tang Dynasty, depicting Maitreya. It is carved out of a cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers in the southern part of Sichuan province in China, near the city of Leshan. The stone sculpture faces Mount Emei, with the rivers flowing below his feet. It is the largest stone Buddha in the world and it is by far the tallest pre-modern statue in the world.
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The Leshan Giant Buddha statue is said to have been built to calm the turbulent waters that plagued passing boats and killed many people each year. So, in the Tang Dynasty, a monk named Hai Tong, decided to carve a giant statue beside the river, hoping it would appease the river gods and save more local people’s lives. With this belief, the Hai Tong Monk begged for 20 years to acquire enough funds to begin his work. According to legend, when some local government officials wanted to get large amounts of money from Hai Tong, he said they could have his eyeball but not the money raised for the Buddha statue. When government funding for the project was threatened, the monk is said to have gouged out his own eyes to show his sincerity and devotion to the cause. The officials were scared away, and Hai Tong saved the money and started the project in 713 AD. The project was half finished when he passed away and two of his disciples were left to continue the work. The project was finally completed 90 years later by the local governor in 803 AD. This statue stands next to a cave behind the Giant Buddah where Hai Tong had lived. #LikeALocal

Where to stay in Leshan

Wuyou Temple in the Leshan Giant Buddha complex, China.

Shizhong District

If you're spending some time in Shizhong District, Leshan Giant Buddha and Leshan Bridge are top sights worth seeing.

Shizhong District
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Wutongqiao District

While visiting Wutongqiao District, you might make a stop by sights like Farmhouse Museum and Ding Youjun Memorial Hall.

Wutongqiao District
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Shawan District

If you're spending some time in Shawan District, Guo Moruo Former residence is a top sight worth visiting.

Shawan District
Le Méridien Emei Mountain Resort

Le Méridien Emei Mountain Resort

4.5 out of 5
No 555 Mingshan Road South Section Leshan Sichuan
The price is HK$669 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
HK$669
HK$780 total
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Leshan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 4 restaurants. Popular attractions Xiujia Waterfall and Baoguo Temple are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (36 reviews)
All expectations were met

Reviewed on 23 Dec 2025

Le Méridien Emei Mountain Resort
Hilton Garden Inn Leshan Shizhong

Hilton Garden Inn Leshan Shizhong

3.5 out of 5
388 Luyou Road, Shizhong District Leshan
The price is HK$311 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
HK$311
HK$362 total
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Leshan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Lingbao Tower and Leshan Giant Buddha are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Breakfast was limited not enough fresh fruit choices. Our floor had a smoker next to are room. I notified front desk and was told due to being fully booked they gave a smoker a room on a non smoking floor? This is not acceptable I hope this guest is fined for breaking the rules.

Reviewed on 21 Dec 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Leshan Shizhong
Four Points By Sheraton Leshan

Four Points By Sheraton Leshan

4 out of 5
No. 666, N Section of Minjiang Ave Leshan Sichuan
The price is HK$426 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
HK$426
HK$497 total
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Leshan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Wutong Bridge and Ding Youjun Memorial Hall ...
Four Points By Sheraton Leshan
See all 148 properties in Leshan
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Heinemann’s Guest House— With Jacuzzi & Local Family vibes

Heinemann’s Guest House— With Jacuzzi & Local Family vibes

Leshan Sichuan
Stay at this holiday home in Leshan. Enjoy a garden, balconies and housekeeping. Popular attractions Baoguo Temple and Xiujia Waterfall are located nearby.
Heinemann’s Guest House— With Jacuzzi & Local Family vibes
Heinemann Hotel Sunny King Room without Bathtub A308— with a jacuzzi and a local

Heinemann Hotel Sunny King Room without Bathtub A308— with a jacuzzi and a local

Leshan Sichuan
Stay at this holiday home in Leshan. Enjoy a garden, balconies and housekeeping. Popular attractions Baoguo Temple and Xiujia Waterfall are located nearby.
Heinemann Hotel Sunny King Room without Bathtub A308— with a jacuzzi and a local
Heinemann Hotel Terrace Double Room B206 – with Jacuzzi and local amenities

Heinemann Hotel Terrace Double Room B206 – with Jacuzzi and local amenities

Leshan Sichuan
Stay at this holiday home in Leshan. Enjoy a garden, balconies and housekeeping. Popular attractions Baoguo Temple and Xiujia Waterfall are located nearby.
Heinemann Hotel Terrace Double Room B206 – with Jacuzzi and local amenities
See all properties in Leshan
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Leshan Dafo, giant buddha, Leshan, China

Leshan Giant Buddha

You can find out about the history of Leshan with a visit to Leshan Giant Buddha. Wander the riverfront or discover the area's mountain views.

Leshan Giant Buddha
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Emeishan Zhuyeqing Ecological Tea Garden

You can enjoy some culture when you stop by Emeishan Zhuyeqing Ecological Tea Garden in Emeishan. Wander the forests or discover the area's mountain views.

Emeishan Zhuyeqing Ecological Tea Garden

Mount Emei

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Mount Emei during your travels in Emeishan. Wander the seaside and parks while you're in the area.

Mount Emei

Leshan Bridge

Learn about the local history of Leshan with a stop at Leshan Bridge. Amble around the area's riverfront or visit its temples.

Leshan Bridge

Jinding Temple

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Jinding Temple during your travels in Emeishan. Discover the area's mountain views and temples.

Jinding Temple

Baoguo Temple

Learn about the local history of Emeishan when you spend time at Baoguo Temple. Wander the seaside and parks while you're in the area.

Baoguo Temple

Things to do

giant buddha

Tea Village in lost Town and Buddha 1 day tour

HK$2,006
per adult
Tea Village in lost Town and Buddha 1 day tour
Private Full-day Trip: Leshan Giant Buddha & E'meishan Jinding scenic Resort

Private Full-day Trip: Leshan Giant Buddha&Emeishan Scenic Resort

HK$4,357
per adult
Private Full-day Trip: Leshan Giant Buddha&Emeishan Scenic Resort
Leshan Giant Buddha and Huanglongxi Ancient Town Day Trip

Leshan Giant Buddha and Huanglongxi Ancient Town Day Trip

HK$1,408
per adult
Leshan Giant Buddha and Huanglongxi Ancient Town Day Trip
2 Days Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei Tour

2 Days Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei Tour

HK$5,747
per adult
2 Days Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei Tour
Private Leshan Giant Buddha day tour and Huanglongxi old town 8hours with lunch

Private Leshan Giant Buddha day tour & Huanglongxi old town&lunch

HK$2,189
per adult
Private Leshan Giant Buddha day tour & Huanglongxi old town&lunch
Leshan Buddha boat and food half day trip

Leshan Buddha boat and food half day trip

HK$1,009
per adult
Leshan Buddha boat and food half day trip
See all activities in Leshan
Carved Buddha statue in stone. Buddha statue in tea garden.

Ya'an

Meishan Scenic Area, Shaoxing Wetland Park, Zhejiang Province, China

Meishan

Beautiful Lijiang #LuguLake,Yunnan Province of China.美丽的泸沽湖. https://twitter.com/Beautifulgx

Liangshan Yi