Mount Emei to Leshan Giant Buddha: 2-Day Plan That Actually Works

I've been guiding trips through western Sichuan for years, and the combo of Mount Emei and Leshan Giant Buddha is one of the most common requests. But I've seen too many travelers burn out trying to cram both into a single day. So here's the truth: two days is the sweet spot. And with the right plan, you'll avoid the headaches and actually enjoy both.

Let me walk you through exactly how to do it — from booking tickets to picking the right bus stop. No fluff, just the stuff that works.

Why Combine Mount Emei and Leshan Giant Buddha?

They're only about 50 kilometers apart (straight line), but the travel time between them can be tricky. Mount Emei is a massive mountain with temples, monkeys, and cloud seas; Leshan Giant Buddha is a 71-meter-tall cliff carving that will make your jaw drop. Put them together and you get a perfect dose of natural beauty and ancient engineering. Most group tours do them in a day, but trust me — that's a rushed, sweaty mess. Two days lets you hit the highlights without survival mode.

How to Get from Mount Emei to Leshan Giant Buddha

Here's the part where most online guides fail you: they assume you have a private car. In reality, there are three main options, and each has its own pros and gotchas.

My go-to recommendation: Take the high-speed train. It's cheap, reliable, and you avoid the notorious weekend traffic jams near Leshan. But here's the catch: you need to factor in the 30-minute taxi ride from Mount Emei base to Emeishan Station. So leave at least 1 hour buffer before your train departs.

Step-by-Step 2-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Mount Emei & Explore the Base Area

Most people fly into Chengdu. From Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, take the direct high-speed train (Chengdu South to Emeishan Station, about 1 hour, 65 CNY). Once at Emeishan Station, grab a taxi to the mountain base (Baoguo Temple area) — 30 minutes, 40–50 CNY.

In the evening, walk around the Emeishan town. There's a night market on Emei Avenue with street food like spicy tofu skewers and sticky rice cakes. Hotels here range from budget (150 CNY) to luxury (600+ CNY). For mid-range, I often book Emei Mountain Baoguo International Youth Hostel — they have a great travel desk that can help with tickets.

Day 2: Morning at Mount Emei (Optional) Then Transfer to Leshan Giant Buddha

If you want a taste of the mountain without doing the full hike, get up early (6 AM) and take the scenic bus from Baoguo Temple to Wannian Temple (30 minutes, 30 CNY). The cable car up to Wannian Temple is another 65 CNY round trip. At the top, you'll see the bronze statue of Samantabhadra and, if you're lucky, a sea of clouds rolling beneath you. Spend about 2 hours there, then bus back down.

Then it's time for the transfer to Leshan Giant Buddha. Follow the transport options above. I'd take the 1 PM direct bus from Baoguo Temple (the only one of the day) — it drops you at the Leshan Giant Buddha East Gate. If you miss it, take a taxi to Emeishan Station and catch a train.

Once at Leshan, you have two choices for visiting the Buddha:

• Option A (Classic): Enter via the North Gate, walk down the Nine-Turn Stairway (the famous hairpin path) to the Buddha's feet, then exit through East Gate. Total visit time: 2.5–3 hours. Best for first-timers who want to see the scale up close.
• Option B (Quick): Take a boat cruise from the dock near Mahao Cliff. The cruise passes by the entire Buddha face and lasts 30–40 minutes. Cost: 150 CNY. Great if you're short on time or mobility issues, but you miss the hands-on experience of the stairway.

After seeing the Buddha, you can either return to Leshan city center (10-minute taxi) for dinner or head back to Chengdu. High-speed trains from Leshan Station to Chengdu South run until 9 PM (1 hour, 50 CNY).

Ticket and Timing Tips

Mount Emei Tickets

• Scenic area entrance: 160 CNY (peak season Apr–Nov), 110 CNY (off-season Dec–Mar).
• Students (full-time with ID) get half price: 80/55 CNY.
• Free for children under 1.2m and seniors over 65 with ID.
• Must book in advance through the official WeChat mini-program "峨眉山景区" (only in Chinese, so ask your hotel to help). Or book through Trip.com for a small fee.
• Valid for 48 hours from first entry.
• Best time to arrive at ticket gate: before 8 AM to avoid tour groups.

Leshan Giant Buddha Tickets

• Scenic area entrance: 80 CNY (all year). No seasonal change.
• Free for children under 1.2m and seniors over 65.
• No advance booking required for the land entrance — just queue at the North Gate ticket booth. But the boat cruise tickets are limited; book same-day online via their official WeChat or at the dock.
• Open 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM (last entry 5:30 PM).
• Best time: 8 AM right when gates open, or after 4 PM for softer light.

Where to Stay

For this 2-day itinerary, you'll need one night near Mount Emei base (Baoguo Temple area). Here are my top picks:

For Day 2, you don't need a hotel unless you want to explore Leshan city nightlife. If so, stay near Leshan Old Town — try Leshan Marco Polo Hotel (400–600 CNY). It's a 10-minute walk from the Giant Buddha North Gate.

What to Eat

Both areas have stellar food. At Mount Emei, don't miss the monkey-made mess (just kidding) — actually try the vegetarian meals at Baoguo Temple. Simple, earthy, and surprisingly filling.

In Leshan, the city is famous for Leshan Spicy Chicken (Lashan Ma La Ji) and Bobo Ji (skewered cold pot). My favorite spot is Huang Shang Huang Bobo Ji at 183 Renmin South Road in Leshan. It's a hole-in-the-wall with Google Maps rating of 4.5. Expect to pay 40–60 CNY per person. The skewers are pre-cooked and served in a spicy broth; grab them from the fridge and dip into the dry chili powder. Warning: it's addictive. They open from 11 AM to 10 PM, and cash is preferred — though they accept WeChat and Alipay.

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.