1 Day Giant Panda Visit & Leshan Giant Buddha Tour
Giants of Chengdu
Giants of Chengdu
A GIANT Chengdu tour – seeing Giant Panda and visiting Giant Buddha in just one go!
Visit the International Face Giant Panda is a MUST thing to do for all travelers in Chengdu, and easily can be done in a half day. You only have to spend a morning there? Then what comes next after visiting panda? Definitely the world-famous Leshan Giant Buddha, a famous World Heritage Site as well as a sacred Buddhist site in Leshan City.
One day is enough to visit both two sites, usually see the pandas in the morning, and then drive about two hours to Leshan city in the afternoon. Generally two hours are needed to see the Buddha and other historical sites on the mountain where the Giant Buddha locates. After visit, drive back to Chengdu. (Alert: Giant Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha are 150km from each other, approximately 2 hours' driving. You need to leave from your hotel at around 07:00 AM so that you can visit both of them in a single day as the same time avoiding crowds as much as possible. )
Day 1 Chengdu - Leshan ( L )
Today's highlights: Giant Panda, Leshan Giant Buddha
This morning you will make a stirring visit to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding which is not only the most important panda scientific research center, but also home to more than 100 Giant Pandas. Walk at leisure through the bamboo framed paths, and closely observe giant pandas of different ages eating bamboos, playing with each other, tumbling, climbing trees, etc. Don't miss the chance to visit the most adorable panda cubs in the panda kindergartens. If you are lucky, you may be able to see the precious panda babies in the nursery rooms. There is also a very informative Panda Museum where you can learn more scientific facts about Giant Pandas.
Following the pandas, you will drive about 2 hours from Chengdu to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Leshan Giant Buddha which is the largest and tallest stone-carved statue of Buddha in the world. It was carved during AD713~803 on a mountain rock cliff by the river, with its head reaching the mountain top and its feet standing next to the river. The total height is 71m; while the head is 14.7m high and 10m wide, the ear is 7 meters high, 28 meters between knees and insteps. Its insteps can hold over a hundred people. You may be wondering why such a giant Buddha was built. It is said to have been built to calm the turbulent waters that plagued passing boats and killed many people each year in ancient times. On the right cliff of the Giant Buddha, there is a plank road built along with the Giant Buddha. From the top to foot, the plank road has nine turns, thus it’s called Nine Bends Plank Road. The widest part of the road is 1.45m and the narrowest part is only 0.6m, and there are 217 stone steps in total. You will walk to the feet of the Giant Buddha for a closer view. Please note you may have to queue up to enter the stone stairway if you visit the Giant Buddha during the busy hours. If you want to save time, you can take a 30-minute sightseeing boat to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the Giant Buddha on the river.
Lastly, drive back to your hotel in Chengdu. (Note: Please be aware that the sightseeing boats may be canceled due to factors such as water levels, extreme weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances.)
Recommended Optional Activities: 1) enjoy a delicious dinner of Sichuan cuisine (or hotpot) at a local restaurant; 2) watch a wonderful performance of Sichuan Opera which includes folk opera, face changing, fire spitting, rolling lights, and other delightful entertainment (usually performs during 20:00~21:30).
Look up at Leshan Giant Buddha from its foot stage
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy-class hotels.
3. This price is only valid until March 31, 2026.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 7.00. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.
Hi Tracy,
We really enjoyed the cruise with our family. It’s the right length, not too long and not too short. It’s good price, well planned. I think the included excursions are well worth it. We had tour guides who speak English well so that’s really convenient for my son. I think it’s great trip at low season. It might not be very pleasant if crowded so I may not recommend to my friends to go at high season.
Service on cruise is very good, they all work very hard.
I have not used travel agency in China before but you helped a lot this time. I will tell my friends about your company. Thanks and happy holidays!
Eileen
Reya, Discovery Team
Thank you for all the arrangements and professional approach. We returned home last night and loved every day of our trip:-)
I have just submitted my review at TripAdvisor.
regards
Langer
Hi Evelyn,
It was good. Dali is a very charming city. We did not regret changing our itinerary at the last minute. We are glad that we went there. Thank you for arranging everything according to our requests. The non-smoking rooms, english-speaking guide, very clean bus. Hotel location was exceptional. We just wished we could stay longer and had the chance to enjoy the city more. Maybe next time.
Debbie
Hi Elk,
We had a great trip. While the boat is old and certainly needs some work, the excursions were good and the service was fantastic. The food was mostly Chinese but enough variety that we didn't go hungry at all. We would recommend it.
Thank you for organizing.
Elizabeth
Hi Wonder,
Thanks for support. We are boarded train going back to HK. We had amazing trip. You had done fantastic travel arrangements. Most important tour guide were really good, had good knowledge, really caring, even not part of trip taken best places for dinner, ensure we reach hotel safety as can't read local language maps , must try local food like oil tea, pumpkin cake, chicken cooked in bamboo refer photos.
Madhuri
excellent assistance, helpfulness and courtesy. My contact 'was Shirley, prepared friendly and punctual. Highly recommended...
"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.
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After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.
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Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.
Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.
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In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!
The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.
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Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.
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The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.
There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.
All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!
Look up at Leshan Giant Buddha from its foot stage
Cute Pandas Living in Their Natural Environment
Based in Chengdu (only 2-hour drive from Leshan) with more than 1360 good reviews on Tripadvisor, we always master the first-hand travel information of Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei and other beautiful places in Chengdu region. We know what is the best way to enjoy your own Giant Buddha vacation; Our private tour packages assure you the highest standards with great flexibility, comfort and personalized arrangement. You will have your personal travel consultant, professional tour guide and a private vehicle which only serve your party - nobody else. All-inclusive tour package to let you enjoy the best of Leshan as well as Mount Emei, Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, etc.
There are two ways to visit the Giant Buddha, one is walking from the entrance to the top area near the head and keeping walking down to the feet area of the Buddha along a zigzag plank road on the cliff, generally 1.5hrs~3hrs. This may require some waiting in line and large crowds but the view of looking up from the bottom is worthwhile. Another option is to take a boat to approach it and get a panoramic view, generally 30~45 minutes. This is a good option for those who want to avoid walking or waiting in crowds. Our tour guide will help you adjust accordingly based on your preference.
Leshan Giant Buddha is located in Leshan city which has no airport. Travelers usually get there from Chengdu (about 150km/2hrs’ driving). The road condition is very good but traffic jams may happen during holidays and some weekends. If you arrive at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport early, we can also book a high speed train ticket for you to get to the Buddha.
The Giant Buddha trip usually takes half a day. After that, you can transfer back to Chengdu, or travel from Leshan to Mount Emei, which is a classic itinerary, and needs an extra day. You can stay a night at the foot of the mountain, then explore the mountain the next day. If you come during March, August and September, you are suggested to experience Jiayang Steam Train and enjoy canola flowers/sunflowers. Leshan trip is usually a part of a longer Sichuan trip which covers other popular destinations in Sichuan, such as Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Mount Qingcheng, etc. We can also design a tailor-made tour for you if you need.
Leshan city has abundant rainfall with four clear-cut seasons. Weather in Leshan is mild with an annual average temperature between 16.5℃ and 18℃. It is suitable for travel all year round. Generally speaking, the best times: March to June and September to November when it is comfortable and less -crowded. It's always a good idea to avoid public holidays. Opening hours of Leshan Giant Buddha are 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in April to Oct and 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in November to March. Try to arrive in the morning for the best views and smaller crowds.
What to wear in summer? - light, quick-dry and easy-to-wear clothes, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket and comfortable shoes. What to wear in winter? - double layer jacket, long underwear pants and tops, sweaters, long sleeve shirts, wool blend socks, boots, winter jacket, winter hat, winter gloves, winter scarf. What to wear in spring and autumn? - long underwear, fleece outer layer, light hat, scarf.
Dujiangyan
Chengdu / Leshan / Mt. Emei / Chengdu
Chengdu / Guanghan (Sanxingdui)
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