Leshan Giant Buddha: Chengdu Day Trip

If you've watched the animated movie 'Abominable' then you've seen this exact location on screen before. The depiction in the film is great but it's truly breathtaking in person. This giant Buddha was carved into the side of the mountain as a sign of the people's devotion to Buddha. This has been an important site for Chinese royalty and citizens alike since before the Tang dynasty. The best way to get there is by bus or high speed train. I personally chose to take the train from Chengdu East station to Leshan station then hail a taxi which costs about 80RMB total each way. (50 for the train and 20-30 for the taxi). Once you arrive at the ticket booth you pay 80RMB for the mointain entrance and you can also see the Buddha statue from the river via ferry for an extra charge. To get from the ticket booth to the actual mountain is a about a kilometer and a half walk or you can pay 20RMB for a cart to take you. If you're already tired or have a long trip ahead of you, pay for the cart because you'll climb lots of stairs inside the mountain. Otherwise, just walk there because the view is beautiful on the way too. Trees, the river, and lots of cool places to eat, drink tea, or get a massage. The Giant Buddha area has caves to explore, temples to visit, and pagodas besides the actual Buddha. It's a wonderful experience but do wear comfortable shoes and come ready for a workout because it's a lot of walking to see everything! The experience is lovely and I would highly recommend this trip especially if you're visiting Chengdu. #travelinspiration#scenicspotguide#couplestrip#unforgettableexperiences#historicculture#nationalpark