Chengdu Tianfu to Leshan: Best Transport & Insider Tips

You just stepped out of the arrival hall at Chengdu Tianfu Airport. The humidity hits you. You're hungry. And you need to get to Leshan—home of the world's largest Buddha. I've done this route dozens of times with my tour groups, and I've watched people make the same mistakes over and over. Let me cut through the noise.

Why Leshan Deserves Your Time

Leshan is more than just a pit stop. The Giant Buddha is 71 meters tall, carved into a cliff face. But the real magic? You can take a boat ride to see it from the river, or walk the nine-turn plank path right next to its toe. Most tourists only give it half a day, but I always tell my clients: stay overnight if you can. The night market along the river is where locals eat. And the food—crispy duck, spicy beef—will ruin you for all other Chinese food.

How to Get from Tianfu Airport to Leshan

Option 1: High-Speed Train (Fastest Route)

Here is the catch: Tianfu Airport does not have a direct train to Leshan. You need to transfer at Chengdu South Station or Chengdu East Station. Let me break it down:

• From the airport, take Metro Line 18 to Chengdu South Station. This takes about 40 minutes and costs ¥10. The train runs every 10 minutes.
• Then, buy a high-speed train to Leshan. The ride is 45–60 minutes, with tickets around ¥54 (second class). Trains are frequent—roughly every 30 minutes from early morning to 9 PM.

Pro tip: Book your train ticket in advance on 12306.cn or through Trip.com. At the airport, you can also use the self-service machines in the metro station, but they're all in Chinese. If you can't read Chinese, ask a staff member—they're used to helping confused travelers.

Watch out: The walk from the arrival gate to the metro entrance is about 15 minutes. Don't rush. And don't try to catch the train labelled "Chengdu East" unless you're okay with a longer transfer—East Station is farther from Leshan. South Station is the sweet spot.

Option 2: Direct Airport Bus (Cheapest but Slower)

Tianfu Airport runs a direct coach to Leshan. The bus stop is outside Gate 4 on the ground floor. It costs around ¥100, and the journey takes 2 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic. Buses depart every hour from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

My take: This is a solid choice if you have big suitcases and don't want to deal with the metro transfer. But the seats are cramped, and the air conditioning can be inconsistent. I always tell my clients to bring a light jacket—the bus can get chilly.

How to buy: You can buy a ticket at the counter inside the arrivals hall. Cash or WeChat Pay only—international credit cards won't work. If you're carrying foreign cash, exchange some at the airport first.

Option 3: Taxi or Ride-Hailing (Most Expensive)

If you're in a group of three or four, a taxi makes sense. The fare to Leshan city center is about ¥400–500, and it takes roughly 1.5 hours. Use Didi (the Chinese Uber) from the designated pickup zone. Official airport taxis are also available, but they sometimes quote a flat rate of ¥600. Negotiate.

Pain point: Most drivers won't speak English. Have your destination written in Chinese: 乐山大佛风景区 (Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area). And make sure they use the meter—or you'll get ripped off.

Insider Tips for a Smooth Journey

Avoid the Midday Crowds

I always schedule my groups to arrive at Leshan Giant Buddha before 8:30 AM. Why? Because by 10 AM, the main viewing platform is packed shoulder-to-shoulder. And the sun? Brutal. If you're taking the train, aim for a departure from Chengdu South at 7:00 AM—you'll be at the Buddha entrance by 8:15.

Luggage Storage at Leshan Station

Most people don't know this: Leshan Railway Station has a left luggage office near the exit. It costs ¥10 per bag for the day. They close at 8 PM, so plan accordingly. I once had a couple who missed it and had to lug their suitcases through the temple—not fun.

Payment: Cash is Still King

International credit cards? Forget it. Even at the train station ticket office, they only take Chinese bank cards or mobile payment. Carry at least ¥200–300 in cash for emergencies. You can withdraw from the ATMs inside the airport—look for Bank of China or ICBC. They accept Visa and Mastercard.

Internet Access

You'll need a VPN to access Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Get one installed before your flight. I recommend Astrill or ExpressVPN—they work best in Sichuan. At the airport, free WiFi is available, but you need to enter a Chinese phone number to receive an SMS code. If you don't have a local SIM, head to the China Telecom booth in the arrivals hall and buy a tourist SIM with data. It costs around ¥100 for 10GB.

What to Do in Leshan

Visit the Leshan Giant Buddha

The main attraction. Tickets are ¥80 (adult), ¥40 (students/seniors). You don't need to book in advance—just scan your passport at the entrance. But here's a tip: the queue to go down the nine-turn plank path can be 1–2 hours long in peak season. Go early or take a boat instead. The boat ride (¥150 per person) gives you a stunning panoramic view without the wait.

Address: 2435 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan.
Hours: 7:30 AM–6:30 PM (summer), 8:00 AM–5:30 PM (winter). Last entry is 30 minutes before close.

Eat Like a Local

Don't leave without trying:

• Zhang Gong Qiao Jiao Niu – A spicy beef soup with tripe and herbs. The best spot is Fang Lao Wu at 28 Jiaochangba Street. About ¥30 per person. I always order extra beef tendon.
• Leshan Sweet Duck – Crispy, caramelized duck skin. Head to Ji Chang Shao Ya near the Giant Buddha exit. A half duck costs ¥35. Warning: it's messy to eat, but worth it.
• Bobo Ji  – Cold skewers in spicy sesame oil. Perfect for a quick snack. Find a stall on Dongda Street. Pay ¥1 per skewer.

Most of these places only accept cash or WeChat Pay. And they rarely have English menus. Use Google Translate's camera feature or just point at what others are eating. That's what I do.

Optional: Stay Overnight

If you have time, spend a night in Leshan. The Leshan Holiday Inn Express near the train station is decent (around ¥300/night). But I personally prefer the Boutique Hotel near the river—it's a converted courtyard with traditional furniture. You can book it on Booking.com. Ask for a room facing the river—you'll see the illuminated Buddha at night.

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.