Leshan Railway Station

Station name and what to look for

Match the Chinese characters on your ticket to the characters above. English translations of Chinese station names vary between booking sites, but the Chinese name is the same everywhere.

About the station

Leshan is the station for the Giant Buddha, the 71-metre cliff carving of Maitreya begun in the Tang dynasty where three rivers meet. It is one of the most visited sites in Sichuan and a straightforward day trip from Chengdu.

The station is on the intercity line and is modern and compact. From here the Buddha and the old town are a short ride away.

The site has two ways to see the Buddha: from the terrace at the top, which is quick, and from the riverside path down to the feet, which involves a long and often very slow queue. The river boat gives a third option without the climb.

Getting to and from Leshan

Buses and taxis connect the station to the scenic area and the old town. The ride is short.

Many travellers come from Chengdu as a day trip, which is entirely feasible given the frequency of intercity trains.

What catches travellers out here

• The staircase down to the Buddha’s feet has a limited capacity and the queue can run to hours on busy days. Going early is the only reliable mitigation.
• Leshan has more than one station; check whether your ticket names this one or the older Leshan North.

Other station guides in Sichuan

Before you travel

Tickets are issued against your passport and there is no paper ticket to collect for most domestic services. Read the booking guide if this is your first Chinese train, or the seat class guide if you are choosing between a hard sleeper and a soft sleeper. For the station itself, the general station guide explains how gates and boarding work at any Chinese station.