Major city · China
Leshan乐山
Spend one full day in Leshan to see the Giant Buddha and a nearby park; add a night only if you want to explore the old town or Mount Emei.
Leshan sits at the confluence of three rivers in Sichuan and is famous for the Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage site, plus a handful of nearby temples, parks and historic walls that can be covered in a day. Overnight stays are useful for a relaxed pace or a side‑trip to Mount Emei.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (rainy, hot)
- Airport
- CTU
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Leshan110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Leshan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyLeshan is generally safe; keep an eye on traffic when crossing streets and carry a copy of your passport for occasional police checks.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCTU Chengdu Shuangliu International (High‑speed rail links to Leshan in ~1 h (check schedule).).
- Getting aroundPublic buses (¥2 (≈ under US$1) per ride) and pedicabs are cheap; taxis start at ¥3 (≈ under US$1) for 2 km (1.2 mi) then ¥0.70 (≈ under US$1) /km plus ¥0.50 (≈ under US$1) fuel surcharge.Public buses (¥2 (≈ under US$1) per ride) and pedicabs are cheap; taxis start at ¥3 (≈ under US$1) for 1.2 mi (2 km) then ¥0.70 (≈ under US$1) /km plus ¥0.50 (≈ under US$1) fuel surcharge.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi first 2 km (1.2 mi)Taxi first 1.2 mi (2 km)¥3 (≈ under US$1)
- Metro or bus rideBus ride (city)¥2 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketGiant Buddha admission (adult)¥80 (≈ US$12)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥120–¥180 (≈ US$17–30) · Mid ¥180–¥300 (≈ US$30–45) · High ¥300 (≈ US$45)+
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CTU Chengdu Shuangliu International (High‑speed rail links to Leshan in ~1 h (check schedule).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Dec (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Leshan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Public buses (¥2 per ride) and pedicabs are cheap; taxis start at ¥3 for 2 km then ¥0.70 /km plus ¥0.50 fuel surcharge. City maps cost ¥4 at kiosks.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Emei
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total each way
High‑speed rail to Emeishan Station (≈1 h), then local bus to the mountain base
Full day needed for cable‑car and temple visits.
Suji Ancient Town
goDoor to door: ≈1 h round trip
Bus 13 or 601 from city centre (≈30 min)
Free entry; try the local Qiaojiao Beef.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Leshan Railway Station area
Convenient for arrivals, many budget hotels within 5 min walk.
Shizhong District centre
Close to Giant Buddha and historic sites; mid‑range options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥120–¥180 (≈ US$17–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥180–¥300 (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
- High
- ¥300 (≈ US$45)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Bus ride (city) | ¥2 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi first 2 km | ¥3 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi per km after 2 km | ¥0.70 (≈ under US$1) |
| Giant Buddha admission (adult) | ¥80 (≈ US$12) |
| Giant Buddha ferry crossing | ¥70 (≈ US$10) |
| Map at kiosk | ¥4 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Peak tourist times at the Giant Buddha (mornings) can cause 2‑hour waits; arrive early or late afternoon.
- Free entry for children under 6 and seniors over 65; children 6‑18 pay ¥40 (≈ US$6), adults ¥80 (≈ US$12) (check holiday rates).
- Foreign visitors need permission for Jinkouhe Grand Canyon; verify with local police.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Leshan乐山
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Chengdu; other embassies in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chengdu → Leshan high‑speed rail: about ¥54 (≈ US$8), 52 min–1 h 20 min (check schedule)
- Bus K1 from Leshan Station to Giant Buddha: ¥2 (≈ under US$1), 30 min (check times)
- Taxi city centre → Giant Buddha: ≈¥15–¥20 (check traffic)
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 这个多少钱？ — How much is this? (zhè ge duōshǎo qián?)
- 大佛在哪里？ — Where is the Giant Buddha? (dà fó zài nǎlǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Leshan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (rainy, hot) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Shizhong for night‑market food.
- Combine Leshan with a Mount Emei overnight hike.
Sources
- officialWikidata Leshan
- secondaryWikivoyage: Leshan, revision 5297856 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Leshan
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