First visit Lingyun Temple to pay respects to the Great Buddha
Park your car on Lingyun Road early in the morning, enter the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, pass through the archway, climb to Lingyun Temple, then follow the mountain path toward the Buddha’s head. The Great Buddha is located at No. 2435, Lingyun Road, in the Shizhong District. The standard ticket for hiking the mountain costs around 80 RMB. The scenic area opens at 7:30 AM, with special night tours available. If you're energetic, take the Nine-Curve Staircase down to the foot of the Buddha, walking along the cliffside to examine the earlobes, robe folds, and river breeze patterns carved over a thousand years. That overwhelming sense of 'I am small, the Buddha is still' can't be captured in photos — not even close. If you'd rather avoid climbing or are traveling with elderly or children, take a daytime boat tour across the river. View the full silhouette of the Buddha from the Minjiang River surface, capturing the confluence of three rivers and the scenery of Lingyun Mountain all in one frame — no effort needed, yet perfect pictures guaranteed.
Then savor the entire city through its food
After leaving the Buddha site, don’t rush off — the real show begins in your mouth. Head first to Suji — the birthplace of Qiao Jiao Beef. This ancient town boasts old streets, bridges, rice flower candy, and cold rice cakes. Sit down and order a pot of clear beef bone soup. Tender beef, offal, blood curd, and steamed minced beef are served in rotation, dipped in dry chili powder. The broth is clear, the meat tender, and the herbal aroma complements without overpowering. Ancient City Fragrance, Old Beef Tendon, and Old Stone Bridge are all within the Suji Old Street area. Skip the trendy spots and choose a counter where meat is freshly sliced. As soon as the beef bone soup arrives, you’ll feel instantly relaxed.
Return to the city center and switch to snack mode. East Street and Shangzhongshun Street are packed with options: try Jiujiu Tofu Pudding or Dai Si Niang, or Xiao Dou Hai Tang. Leshan’s tofu pudding isn’t like the northern version — it’s made with bone broth, topped with vermicelli, crispy pork, peanuts, and fried dough twists. Rich, savory, and thick, it pairs perfectly with a cracker stuffed with steamed minced beef — a local breakfast staple. Haihuiyuan dumplings have thin skins bursting with juice; pair them with seaweed soup. Take it slow and add an egg pancake — cream and meat floss or preserved vegetable and minced pork both work. For lunch, if you don’t want to overeat, try Bao Po’s at Dong Street or Gu Zhenji at Haithan Road for bābō chicken skewers. Choose between the spicy red oil style or the numbing Sichuan pepper flavor. Cold skewers are self-serve, with meat or veggie options costing just a few yuan each. Pair with a bowl of chicken soup rice or ice jelly — just right.
Spend the afternoon on sweetness and crunch
Sweet-skinned duck is another signature of Leshan. It’s first braised, then deep-fried, then brushed with maltose syrup — resulting in a sweet, crisp skin and savory, fragrant meat. You can choose any of the famous brands: Ji Liuniang, Zhao Yazi, Liu Yazi, or Lai Apo. Order half a duck, cut fresh on the spot — don’t vacuum-pack it first. Eat it right away so you can hear that satisfying ‘crack’.
Finish your meal with refreshment: Xu Lianggao from Suji, Ju Po Po’s mallow ice cream in the city center, or Zhao Ji’s Three-Flavor Ice Jelly. After a day of spice, these treats will soothe your palate.
A day in Leshan
One day in Leshan
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