Overview
Discover two of Sichuan's most iconic UNESCO sites on this fully guided leshan giant buddha and emei mountain 2 day tour from chengdu. Walk down to the feet of the 71-meter Leshan Giant Buddha via the ancient Nine-Turn Plank Road, explore the historic old town on a relaxed Leshan citywalk, then soak in natural hot springs at your mountain hotel that evening. The next day, ride a cable car to Mount Emei's 3,077m Golden Summit for panoramic views of peaks and sea of clouds.
Highlights
- Leshan Giant Buddha — Stand at the feet of the world's tallest stone Buddha, carved into a cliff 1,300 years ago
- Golden Summit Views — Ride the cable car to Emei's 3,077m summit for panoramic mountain and sea of clouds views
- Hot Spring Evening — Soak in natural mountain hot springs at your hotel after a day of exploring
- Leshan Citywalk — Wander historic old town streets, sample Sichuan street food, and glimpse the Buddha from the riverbank
- Private & Flexible — Your own vehicle and English-speaking guide, pace adjusted to your group
- Two UNESCO Sites — Visit both the Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei in one journey
Itinerary
Leshan Giant Buddha & Leshan Citywalk
8:00 AM – Chengdu pickup
Your guide meets you at your Chengdu hotel, and you drive south to Leshan — about two hours on the expressway.
10:00 AM – Leshan Giant Buddha
Arrive at the scenic area. Descend the famous Nine-Turn Plank Road, a narrow cliffside staircase spiraling past the Buddha's face and torso to his feet. At 71 meters tall, the scale of this 8th-century marvel is striking from below. Your guide explains the Buddha's 90-year construction story and its ingenious drainage system. You also visit Lingyun Temple next door.
12:30 PM – Lunch in Leshan old town
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant — be sure to try qiaojiao beef, a Leshan specialty of tender beef in herbal broth. Lunch is not included; we can pre-book it for $15 per person if you'd like.
2:00 PM – Leshan Citywalk
A relaxed walking tour of old Leshan. Start at the Confucian Temple with its traditional courtyard architecture, then wander through Shangzhongshun historic district — a lively pedestrian area where old culture meets street style. Sample local snacks like sweet-skinned duck and egg-baked cakes along the way. From the riverside promenade near Tieniu Gate, you get a free distant view of the Giant Buddha across the Min River.
5:00 PM – Drive to Mount Emei
One hour drive to the foot of Mount Emei. Check into your hot spring hotel.
Evening – Hot spring soak
Soak in natural hot spring pools at the hotel — the perfect recovery for your legs before tomorrow's mountain visit. Private hot spring upgrade available for an extra fee.
Mount Emei Golden Summit & Return to Chengdu
7:30 AM – Breakfast & departure
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and head to Mount Emei.
8:00 AM – Scenic bus to Leidongping
Board the official scenic area bus for the winding mountain road up to Leidongping. The ride takes about two hours, climbing 2,000 meters in elevation. Vegetation shifts from subtropical forest at the base to coniferous trees higher up. Your guide points out landmarks along the way.
10:30 AM – Cable car to the Golden Summit
Walk about 20 minutes from Leidongping to Jieyindian cable station, then ride the Golden Summit cable car to the top. The 5-minute ride glides over forested ridges and rocky peaks.
At the 3,077m summit, explore the temple complex with your guide. The centerpiece is the 48-meter Ten-Faced Samantabhadra Buddha, a gleaming gilded bronze statue surrounded by temple halls and prayer wheels. On clear days, enjoy sweeping views of snow-capped peaks and the famous sea of clouds in the valleys below.
12:30 PM – Lunch on the mountain
Lunch at a summit restaurant. Vegetarian options are available — many mountain eateries serve Buddhist-style vegetarian food. Lunch is not included.
3:00 PM – Descend the mountain
Cable car back down to Jieyindian, then walk to Leidongping for the scenic bus descent.
5:00 PM – Depart for Chengdu
Back at the foot of the mountain, your driver is waiting. The drive back to Chengdu takes about two to two and a half hours depending on traffic.
7:30 PM – Chengdu drop-off
Arrive back at your Chengdu hotel, where your tour concludes.
Want to extend your trip? Contact us to customize your itinerary — add extra Chengdu days, visit the Dujiangyan irrigation system, or explore more of Mount Emei at lower elevations.
What's Included
- Round-trip private vehicle with driver (Chengdu hotel pickup and drop-off included)
- Professional English-speaking guide for 2 full days (driver-guide for 2-person groups)
- All entrance tickets: Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei
- Mount Emei scenic bus (round trip, full mountain route)
- Golden Summit cable car (round trip)
- Bottled water in the vehicle
What's Not Included
- Hot spring hotel accommodation — $60 per room (standard hot spring), +$40 per room for private hot spring upgrade
- Meals (lunch booking available at $15/person/meal)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Good to Know
- What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes (stone steps on both the Nine-Turn Plank Road and summit paths), layers for temperature changes (10–15°C cooler at the Golden Summit than Chengdu), rain jacket or umbrella, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a refillable water bottle. Bring your passport for hotel check-in and ticket verification.
- Best Time to Visit: March–June and September–November offer mild temperatures and good mountain visibility. Summer is lush but rainy; winter can bring snow at the summit. Avoid Chinese national holidays when the mountain is very crowded.
- How to Book: Reserve through our website or by contacting us directly. Book at least 7 days in advance — both the Golden Summit cable car and scenic bus tickets are limited in supply. Daily departures year-round.
- Accommodation: Clean, comfortable mid-range hot spring hotels at the foot of Mount Emei. Public hot spring access is included by default — bring your own swimsuit. Upgrade to a private hot spring room for an extra $40. For further hotel upgrades, contact us.
- Fitness Level: Easy. The cable car handles most of the elevation, but there are still stone staircases to climb — not suitable for wheelchairs. Mountain weather changes rapidly; your guide may adjust the itinerary for safety.