How to Get from Chengdu to Leshan Giant Buddha by Train & Public Transport (2026)

Quick Answer

Take a high-speed train from Chengdu East Station (成都东站) to Leshan Station (乐山站) — 46–65 minutes, ¥27–54 in second class. From Leshan Station, the Giant Buddha scenic area is about 9–11 km away: a taxi or DiDi takes 20–25 minutes (around ¥25–30), or bus K1 / bus 3 takes about 35–45 minutes for ¥2. This is by far the easiest and most reliable option. Trains run from approximately 06:15 to 21:49, with around 50–70 departures per day.

The Leshan Giant Buddha (乐山大佛) is a 71-meter-tall Tang-dynasty Buddha carved into a riverside cliff, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Mount Emei in 1996. It is about 135 km south of Chengdu.

[!IMPORTANT] There are two stations you must not confuse: Leshan Station (乐山站) for the Giant Buddha, and Emeishan Station (峨眉山站) for Mount Emei. They are on the same intercity line but are different stops. If the Buddha is your target, always book to "乐山" (Leshan).

Compare Your Options

Option 1 — High-Speed Train + Taxi (Recommended)

Step-by-step

1. Get to Chengdu East Station (成都东站). Take Chengdu Metro Line 2 or Line 7 to Chengdu East Railway Station. Allow 30–45 minutes from the city center by metro.

2. Buy a ticket to Leshan Station (乐山站). Book on 12306.cn or the 12306 app up to 15 days ahead, or buy at the station counter/kiosk with your passport.

   • Travel time: 46 minutes to 1h05 for direct intercity services (median about 52 minutes)
   • Fare: ¥27–54 in second class; ¥43–86 in first class
   • Frequency: Roughly 50–70 departures per day
   • First train: Around 06:15
   • Last train to Chengdu: Around 21:49
   • Departure stations: Most trains leave from Chengdu East; a smaller number leave from Chengdu South (no departures before 08:04 from South)

[!WARNING] Two daily services (G8739 around 11:00 and G8743 around 18:53) go to Leshan the long way round via Tianfu Airport, Zigong and Yibin. They take 2h40–2h54 and cost ¥173–199 — same origin and destination, but four times the fare and time. Always check the duration before you pay.

3. Arrive at Leshan Station and transfer to the scenic area.

   • By taxi / DiDi (recommended): The station is about 9–11 km from the Giant Buddha. A metered taxi or DiDi costs roughly ¥25–30 and takes 20–25 minutes depending on traffic. Use the official taxi rank on the station's lower level; ignore touts.
   • By bus: Bus K1 (tourist bus) or bus 3 departs from the station plaza and goes to the scenic area. Fare is ¥2, paid by Alipay/WeChat QR code or exact change. Journey time is 35–45 minutes. Bus K1 also calls at Wuyou Temple (the far end of the scenic area). Bus 3 and 605 also serve the route.
   • Show the driver this: "乐山大佛景区, 北门" (Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, North Gate). The North Visitor Center is where the ticket office, boat ticket hall, and main shuttle stop are located.

4. At the scenic area. The main entrance is the North Gate (北门). If you plan to take the river boat for the iconic full-Buddha view, the boat departs from Jiazhoudu (嘉州渡) dock; in winter it may depart from Wuyou dock.

Scenic area essentials

• Hill ticket (cliff walkway): ¥80 per adult (Apr–Oct); ¥50 (Nov–Mar, off-season)
• River boat (round-trip): ¥70, sold separately from the hill ticket — this gives the classic full-face view of the Buddha
• Summer hours: 07:30–18:30 (April 1 – October 7)
• Winter hours: 08:00–17:30
• Time needed: 2–3 hours for the cliff walkway; add 1 hour for the boat
• Tickets must be booked in advance via the official "乐山大佛" WeChat mini-program (Chinese only) or through Trip.com/Klook in English. During holidays, daily visitor caps apply.

Option 2 — High-Speed Train + Public Bus (Cheapest)

Follow steps 1–3 above, but take the bus instead of a taxi:

• From Leshan Station, take bus K1 or bus 3 toward the Giant Buddha.
• Fare: ¥2 (exact change or QR code).
• Journey time: 35–45 minutes depending on traffic.
• Get off at the "乐山大佛" stop for the main entrance, or "龟城山" for the north gate near the Buddha head.
• Buses can be packed on weekends and holidays. The last bus back from the scenic area is around 19:00–19:30 — verify locally.

Total one-way cost: as little as ¥29 (¥27 train + ¥2 bus).

Option 3 — Coach Bus

Long-distance buses run from Chengdu to Leshan:

• Xinnanmen Bus Station (新南门车站): Buses to Leshan take about 2–2.5 hours and cost around ¥45–55. Services run approximately every 30 minutes.
• Chadianzi Bus Station (茶店子客运站): Also has services to Leshan.
• The bus drops you at Leshan's central bus station, from which you'll need a taxi or local bus to the scenic area (another 15–25 minutes).

The bus is only worth considering if train tickets are completely sold out. The train is faster, more comfortable, and immune to expressway traffic.

How to Get Back

• Trains from Leshan to Chengdu East run until approximately 22:44. The fastest take about 41–55 minutes.
• Book your return ticket in advance on 12306, especially on weekends and holidays — afternoon and evening trains can sell out.
• Allow 30–45 minutes from the scenic area back to Leshan Station by taxi/bus, plus 20–30 minutes for station security and boarding.
• If you miss the last train, a DiDi back to Chengdu costs approximately ¥300–400. There is no practical late-night public bus option.

Chinese Names You May Need

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Booking to Emeishan instead of Leshan. The names look similar in English and they are on the same railway line, but Emeishan is for Mount Emei — one stop beyond Leshan. If the Giant Buddha is your destination, book to "乐山" (Leshan).

2. Not checking train duration. Two services a day take nearly three hours via a long detour and cost four times as much. Always look at the duration column on 12306.

3. Arriving on an 08:00–09:00 train. That is when all the tour groups arrive, and the cliff stairway queue can be 1–2 hours. Take an earlier train (before 08:00) or a later one (after 10:30) for thinner crowds.

4. Assuming the train arrives at the Buddha. Leshan Station is 9–11 km from the scenic area. You must factor in a taxi or bus transfer of at least 25 minutes.

5. Not pre-booking the scenic area ticket. During holidays and peak season, the Giant Buddha operates on a timed-entry cap. Buy online in advance via WeChat or Trip.com. Walk-up tickets may be unavailable.

6. Missing the last bus from the scenic area. If you take the public bus back to the station, it stops running around 19:00–19:30. After that, only taxis are available.

Before You Go

• Scenic area entry: ¥80 (Apr–Oct) / ¥50 (Nov–Mar)
• River boat: ¥70 (round-trip, sold separately)
• Opening hours: 07:30–18:30 (summer); 08:00–17:30 (winter)
• Recommended visit duration: 2–3 hours (cliff walkway); add 1 hour for boat
• Bring your passport — scenic area tickets are real-name, and train travel requires ID.
• There is currently no Crowd Forecast for Leshan on China Local Help.

Still Not Sure How to Get There?

Our Chengdu-based team can help with train tickets, scenic area reservations, private drivers, and multi-day Sichuan itineraries. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp.

Related Guides

• Chengdu Travel Guide — full city guide
• Chengdu to Mount Emei by Train — combine Leshan and Emei on one trip
• Chengdu to Dujiangyan by Train — an easier Chengdu day trip
• 12306 High-Speed Rail Guide — booking Chinese train tickets as a foreigner

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Train schedules and fares are based on 12306.cn, TravelChinaGuide (updated July 7, 2026), Ctrip/Trip.com listings, and China for Travelers (updated August 2026). Times and fares may change — always check 12306 for your travel date.

Last verified: August 2026