Ming Yang
Quick navigation
I've been bringing travelers through Leshan Railway Station for years. And every time, I see the same look of confusion at the exit — taxis swarming, signs in Chinese, and no clear direction to the world's largest stone Buddha. So I decided to write this guide. No fluff, just what I actually do with my clients to get from the train to the Giant Buddha with minimum hassle.
Station layout & exits
Leshan Railway Station (code: ICW) is a modern station on the Chengdu–Guizhou high-speed line. Trains from Chengdu East take around 45–60 minutes. The station has two floors: the main hall upstairs and the platforms downstairs. Important: there's only one main exit — the north exit. Ignore any sign pointing to “South exit” unless you want a long walk to nowhere; that exit is usually closed.
Once you tap out of the gates, you'll be in a large waiting hall. Straight ahead is a row of ticket counters (if you need to change tickets). To your left and right, escalators go down to the taxi stand and bus plaza. I always take the right-side escalator — less crowded.
How to get from station to Leshan Giant Buddha
Your ultimate destination is the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area. Most visitors head to the main entrance of the mountain (where the Buddha is carved into the cliff). The station is about 6 km from the scenic area — around a 15-minute drive without traffic.
Taxi (the easy way)
Walk out of the exit and follow the signs to “出租车”. A line of official taxis waits. A ride to the Buddha entrance costs about 15–20 RMB (2–3 USD). Make sure the driver uses the meter. If they quote a fixed price above 30 RMB, politely say no and move to the next taxi.
Bus (the cheap way)
Bus 3 and Bus K1 both go directly to the scenic area. The stop is called “乐山大佛” (Leshan Giant Buddha). The fare is 2 RMB. Pay by scanning the QR code with Alipay/WeChat or have exact change. The bus takes 25–35 minutes depending on traffic. Get off at the “龟城山” stop for the north gate (closest to the Buddha head) or “乐山大佛” stop for the main entrance. Warning: buses can be packed during holidays — expect standing room only.
Transport comparison: taxi vs bus vs didi
| Mode | Cost | Time | Best for | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 15–20 RMB | 15 min | Groups of 2–3 | Must ensure meter is on |
| Bus (3/K1) | 2 RMB | 25–35 min | Solo budget travelers | No luggage space; can be crowded |
| Didi | 15–18 RMB | 15 min | First-timers, families | Requires Chinese app with payment method |
If you arrive after 8 PM, skip the bus — the last bus departs around 7:30 PM. Stick to taxi or Didi.
Buying tickets & common pitfalls
You don't need to buy a ticket from the station. The scenic area ticket office is at the entrance. But here's something that catches most tourists: tickets are sold at two different gates. The main gate (North Gate) sells the regular 80 RMB ticket. The East Gate (for exiting only) does not sell tickets. I once saw a foreign couple walk all the way to East Gate and had to backtrack — massive waste of time.
Online booking: You can book tickets on WeChat (mini-program “乐山大佛”) or on Trip.com. It saves queue time, especially on weekends. But the QR code scanner at the gate sometimes fails with foreign phones. I recommend keeping a screenshot of your reservation and also having cash ready just in case.
Station amenities for tourists
Leshan Station is fairly new, so it's clean and has basic services. Inside the waiting hall, you'll find a small convenience store selling snacks, water, and instant noodles. There's also a coffee machine (but the coffee is terrible — I'd skip it).
Toilets are on the second floor near the ticket offices. They are generally clean but bring your own toilet paper — public restrooms in China rarely provide it.
If you have a long layover, there's a small waiting area with charging ports (USB and power sockets). But spots fill up fast — arrive early if you need to charge.
One more thing: the station does not have a proper tourist information counter. The staff at the ticket windows usually speak only Chinese. If you need help, look for a young person — they are more likely to speak some English.
Frequently asked questions
One last honest note: navigating the WeChat mini-program in Chinese to book the scenic area ticket is a headache even for me. I've seen many visitors struggle. But don't panic — just ask your hotel receptionist to help you. Most of them are happy to assist. This whole system is not designed for international tourists, but once you get past it, the experience is absolutely worth it.
No comments yet.