Leshan

There is something very spiritual about Leshan. I woke up at six a.m., when the mist was still on the water, and walked to the Buddha viewing platform before the crowds arrived. The silence was golden—only birds and the river. Looking down at that giant stone face, calm and weathered after a thousand years, I felt a deep sense of peace. Later I hiked around the cliff and found small shrines tucked in the woods. This place reminded me to slow down. The city itself is relaxed too, with lovely lakeside paths and friendly locals. I left with a full heart.

I came to Leshan for the food, and honestly the Giant Buddha was a bonus! The city is famous for its jiangtuan fish and I found a tiny restaurant by the river that served the most incredible boiled fish with pickled chilies. Then there’s the sesame candy and the bobo chicken—my mouth still waters thinking about it. After the meal, I walked along the city wall and watched the ferries cross the river, with the Buddha silhouetted in the distance. A perfect day, can’t recommend it enough.

Leshan completely exceeded my expectations! Standing at the top of the cliff looking down at the Giant Buddha is one of those moments I won’t forget. The sheer size is impossible to believe until you see it. I took the boat tour too, and seeing the whole statue from the water gave me goosebumps. The rivers, the green hills, the fresh air—it all felt unreal. I also loved walking around the old city in the evening, trying spicy tofu and sweet rice cakes. If you’re in China, do yourself a favor and come here!

I spent two days in Leshan and overall it was very worthwhile. The Giant Buddha is magnificent from the boat, and if you go early you can beat some of the tour groups. The city itself surprised me—the food scene is fantastic, especially the street vendors near the old town. Only reason it’s not a five is because the temple complex around the Buddha could use better English signage, and my guesthouse was a bit noisy at night. Still, I would recommend it for anyone passing through Sichuan.

Leshan itself is okay, but the main reason everyone comes—the Giant Buddha—was a bit of a letdown for me. The walk down the cliff path was steep and packed, and by the time I got to the base, my legs were shot. The view is impressive, sure, but the crowd pushed you along the whole time, so you couldn’t just stop and enjoy it. Also, the river cruise felt overpriced for what it was. Maybe I just picked a bad day, but I left feeling more tired than amazed.

We hiked to the Great Buddha at opening time and had the place nearly to ourselves — magical. The carved details, the scale, the river junction below… it gave me chills. Later we took the bus to Emei town for a malatang lunch that was the best thing I ate in China. Leshan is more than just the Buddha; it’s a city with real soul.