乐山大佛

Why this place

The Leshan Buddha was carved out of a sandstone cliff between 713 and 803 CE, at the point where two rivers meet — the project's stated purpose was to calm the dangerous currents, and it is said that the rock dumped into the water during construction actually did. It is 71 metres tall and the largest stone Buddha in the world.

What to see

• The Buddha from the river — the boat gives the only complete view of the whole figure
• The cliff stairway beside the statue, which descends past its hands and feet
• The Lingyun Temple above, and the plank walkway cut into the cliff
• The Dongpo and Guoguo old-town quarters, and Leshan's own food streets

What to eat

• Leshan 'bobo ji' — skewers cooked in chilli oil, the local specialty
• Sweet-skin duck, and the local 'qiaojiao' beef

How to plan

One day, combined with Mount Emei if you have more time.

Best time

March–May and September–November

Practical tips

• Do both the boat and the cliff path — the boat is the only full view, but the path gets you to the feet