Leshan Giant Buddha (Da Fo)

A day tour to the Buddha statue from Chengdu starts with a scenic 2-hour drive, often followed by a guided tour of the statue. The tour also stops at several of the Buddhist temples that surround the statue, including the Grand Buddha Temple located behind the giant Buddha's head and Wuyou Temple, where you'll find some of the best views of the statue.

You can also take a boat ride on the Mingjiang River to see the Buddha from a different perspective. Tours to the statue are frequently combined with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, and if you have an extra day in your itinerary, it's possible to combine your visit to the statue with a tour of Mount Emei, one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains and another UNESCO-listed site.

• The Leshan Giant Buddha is a must-see for first-time visitors.

• Day trips to the statue from Chengdu typically last eight to 10 hours, depending on the option chosen.

• Be prepared to climb up and down steps that could be challenging for those with limited mobility.

• Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on uneven surfaces.

Located 85 miles (137 kilometers) south of Chengdu, the Leshan Buddha is best visited on a day trip from the Sichuan capital. To get there independently, take the long-distance bus from Xinnanmen Bus Station in Chengdu to Leshan Xiaoba Station and then take Bus 13 to the site.

Due to Leshan’s rainy climate, it’s best to visit during the spring or fall when temperatures are warm and relatively dry. The area receives about 80 percent of its annual rainfall during the summer.

To help protect the giant Buddha statue from Leshan’s frequent rainfall, its builders constructed a hidden drainage system—a series of gutters and channels that displace rainwater to help protect the integrity of the statue. Among the other interesting features are 1,012 buns of coiled hair embedded into the carved head of the Buddha.

You can spend between a few hours and half a day at Leshan Big Buddha (Da Fo). You can take a 30-minute boat ride along the river to see the front view and then hike around the grounds near the Buddha’s head. You can even make your way down to the Buddha’s feet.

Tours of Leshan Big Buddha (Da Fo) usually include both a boat trip to see the Buddha from the river, and a walk around the grounds. In addition, tours often stop at the panda breeding center, where you can see giant pandas in natural habitats feeding, playing, and doing what they do best—snoozing.

Yes, you can go on your own. Some trains and buses run from Chengdu. As long as you can navigate the public transport system and get by with limited English being spoken, then you’ll be fine. You can walk around the grounds or book the boat easily when you arrive.

Yes, the Leshan Big Buddha (Da Fo) is good for kids, but they might not like the long hike down to the Buddha’s feet. The boat ride is accessible and only takes around a half-hour, so that’s good for short attention spans. Kids can also play around the grounds near Buddha's head.

Spring and fall are the best time to visit Leshan Big Buddha (Da Fo). These are when the temperatures are the most temperate, with summer being quite hot and rainy, and winter very chilly. Avoid the first weeks of May and October, though, since they are national holidays and Leshan is crowded.

Yes, Leshan Big Buddha (Da Fo) is worth it. It’s one of the largest carved Buddhas in the world, taking over 90 years to complete. It’s an impressive achievement, and popular with both Chinese and international tourists. The steps down to Buddha's feet are narrow and often crowded, so keep that in mind.