1-Day Side Trip to Leshan

- Leshan Giant Buddha Day Tour

Trip Highlights - Attractions Involved: Chengdu Leshan Giant Buddha. This a Chengdu side trip offers a day tour to the magnificent Leshan Giant Buddha, known as the largest carved stone Buddha in the world. In Sichuan, the Land of Abundance, you will be captivated not only by its historic sites, but also by its natural beauty such as Mt. Leshan. Leshan is a cultural city with history of more than 3000 years. About 125km south of Chengdu, the Giant Buddha sits in a cliff overlooking the confluence of the Dadu and Qingyi River. This makes Leshan a must-see when in Chengdu and a great day out.
Tour Departure: Daily.     Pick-up Point & Time: Your hotel, 9:00am.     Finishing Point & Time: Your hotel, 5:00pm.     Duration: 8 hours.

Tour Itinerary: (Lunch)
Pick up at your hotel and then drive about 2 hours to the Great Buddha in Leshan, located to the east of Leshan City, Sichuan Province and on the Lingyun Mountain where Min River, Qingyi River and Dadu River meet. Built over 900 years ago this statue stands at 71 meters tall, making it not only China's, but the world's biggest Buddhist statue. The statue is not Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, but his disciple Maitreya, also a Buddha. He has 3 meter long fingers, 8 meter long instep, 28 meter wide shoulder, each seven meters long ear and 5.6 meters long nose. The Giant Buddha is located within a scenic area which includes temples, pavilions, pagodas, caves and gardens with trails running all over the park. After the visit, you will be sent back to your hotel.
(Service End)
Attraction Description
Leshan Giant Buddha, located to the east of Leshan City, Sichuan Province, at the confluence of three rivers which are Min River, Qingyi River, and Dadu River, is a statue of Maitreya in sitting posture. The construction of the Leshan Giant Buddha was started in 713 A.D. during the Tang Dynasty, led by a Chinese monk named Haitong. He hoped that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters that plagued the shipping vessels travelling down the river. When funding for the project was threatened, he is said to have gouged out his own eyes to show his piety and sincerity. The charm of the Buddha lies not only in its size but also in its architectural artistry.