World’s Largest Buddha Statue in Leshan

About the Leshan Giant Buddha

Daniel and I visited the world’s largest Buddha statue in July 2022. We toured Sichuan Province and spontaneously decided to visit Leshan and its giant Buddha. The city of Leshan in Sichuan province, China, proudly houses the world’s largest Buddha statue. Haitong, a monk, built the Giant Buddha during the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE) after a vision of Maitreya, the future Buddha. Haitong carved the statue out of a cliff face overlooking the connecting three rivers.

The Giant Buddha is 71 meters (233 feet) tall and took 90 years to complete. Over the centuries, it has been damaged by earthquakes and floods, but China has repaired it each time. Today, it still stands and has become a World Heritage Site. This large statue attracts millions of tourists every year and is a must for your China Bucket List.

After our visit without a tour guide, I can offer helpful tips for those wanting to visit the world’s largest buddha Statue in Leshan.  Below, you will find essential information about visiting this site and my first hand experience.

How to get to the World’s Largest Buddha Statue in Leshan

Visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha is a straightforward process, thanks to its popularity and easy-to-follow signage. If you’re coming from Chengdu, taking the bullet train from Chengdu East Railway Station to Leshan North Railway Station is a convenient option. It takes a travel time of around 1.5 hours. Once you arrive in Leshan, the easiest way to reach the Buddha is by taxi, which is affordable and comfortable.

There are many tour companies that offer trips to the Giant Buddha, but it’s not necessary to use one. Instead, you can use a ride-hailing app like Didi, which is like the Uber of China. This is a cost-effective and convenient way to get to the attraction, and you can go at your own pace. If you’re worried about getting information, you can simply look up the Giant Buddha online and read about it as you explore. This gives you the flexibility to spend as much time as you want admiring the statue without being rushed by a tour guide. Of course, if you prefer the guidance of a tour, that’s a personal choice.

What to see at the Leshan Giant Buddha

The Buddha by Boat!

First off, the site of Leshan Giant Buddha is not huge. This makes exploring relaxed and it’s an activity you could combine with something else. Daniel and I spent roughly 3 hours sightseeing and that was plenty. We decided to do the boat tour first, which I would recommend as there were very few people on the boat first thing in the morning. The boat is a unique view and has great photo opportunities. You get a clear image of the size and a better view of the cliff itself from this perspective. It is well worth the extra 100rmb. It is also a very short ride, so you will have plenty of time to do everything there.

The World’s Largest Buddha Statue in Leshan Up Close

The next activity is to walk up the mountain, to see the buddha up close. As you walk up the mountain, you will see more buddha statues carved into the rock. You will also see beautiful Buddhist temples. These are called Lingyun and Wuyou Temples. When you reach the top, you can get a close-up view of the Buddha’s head. You can see all the hard work that went into making it and it’s a really cool sight. Interestingly, Leshan refrains from making any structure taller than the Buddha, emphasizing its cultural importance.

The Buddha’s Feet

Once you’ve explored the top of the cliff, you can then walk down the side of the cliff to reach the feet of the Buddha. The walkway is narrow and a little scary, but still stable. When you reach the feet of the buddha, it will be quite crowded with people. Many people wanted pictures with the Buddha and you don’t have long to take photos as security moves on people if they’ve been there a long time.

Souvenirs and Food at the World’s Largest Buddha Statue in Leshan

Lastly, go grab yourself a mini buddha statue from one of the many sellers around the site. Daniel and I grabbed our statue and had a bite to eat at a local restaurant. Overall, visiting the site is easy and worth the time.

How to do the Boat Ride at the Leshan Giant Buddha

To fully experience the Leshan Giant Buddha, I recommend taking a boat ride that will take you around the statue from all angles. Firstly, you can find ticket sellers by walking along the pier. Alternatively, tour companies may include it as part of their package. It cost 150 RMB for a boat ride and entry into the park.

During the short boat ride, you’ll have a great opportunity to get a closer view of the Buddha as it passes by the cliff face. If you want a good shot of the buddha, make sure to have your video on when approaching the statue for an excellent video of the Buddha.  When you pass that Buddha on the boat, you really get a sense for its size and how impressive it is!

Ticket Costs and Opening Hours 

The cost of visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha is quite reasonable. Admission to the park is only 60 RMB (about $9 USD) for adults and 30 RMB (about $4.50 USD) for children. If you want to take a boat ride on the river to get a closer look at the statue, it will cost an additional 100 RMB (about $15 USD) per person.

The opening hours of the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area are as follows:

• High Season (April 1 – November 30): 7:30 am to 6:30 pm
• Low Season (December 1 – March 31): 8:00 am to 5:30 pm

Top Tips for Visiting the World’s Largest Buddha Statue in Leshan

• To avoid crowds, it’s advisable to arrive early. When we arrived at 8AM, we hardly had anyone on our boat!
• In addition, there are lockers available at the site to keep valuables safe. However, we ended up paying a shop owner to look after our large backpacks before we saw the lockers on-site.
• Furthermore, climbing down a staircase cut into the cliff face is necessary to get a close-up view of the statue. Therefore, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes, as the climb can be tight and steep.

Your Questions Answered

Why is the World’s Largest Buddha Statue in Leshan important?

The Leshan Giant Buddha holds cultural and religious significance in China as the largest stone Buddha statue globally, and an ancient Chinese sculpture masterpiece. The Tang Dynasty, a period of high cultural and artistic achievement, constructed this significant statue.

What is the legend of the Leshan Giant Buddha?

Legend has it that Hai Tong, a monk, constructed the Leshan Giant Buddha to pacify the treacherous river that flowed through the region. The river had caused numerous boat accidents and claimed many lives. The monk aimed to please the river gods and safeguard the river travelers by building the Buddha statue.

Is the Leshan Giant Buddha man made?

The Leshan Giant Buddha is a man-made statue, carved into a cliff face that overlooks three rivers (Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi) in Sichuan province, China.

Who carved the World’s Largest Buddha Statue in Leshan?

A group of skilled craftsmen, led by the monk Hai Tong, carved the Leshan Giant Buddha during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).

Conclusion: Should You Visit The World’s Largest Buddha Statue in Leshan?

In conclusion, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an impressive and culturally significant historical site in Sichuan Province, China. Its construction during the Tang Dynasty and the vision of Maitreya by the monk Haitong make it a masterpiece of ancient Chinese sculpture. Its immense size and detailed carvings make it a must-see attraction for those interested in Buddhist history or art. With convenient transportation options, affordable ticket prices, and the ability to explore at your own pace, visiting the world’s largest Buddha statue in Leshan is an unforgettable experience.

Furthermore, if you are interested in other places to see in Sichuan Province, then click on the link to my other articles. Or if you want to see other places in China, then visit my China specific page. Lastly, to reach other people interested in visiting China, click on this Facebook link- Going to China: Tailor-Made China Tours | Facebook