A sourced account of travelshorts’ 2024 trip. Opinions and costs describe that journey; hotel benefits, prices and access may have changed. Summaries are editorial paraphrases, attributed to the creator. Read our source notes.
Travel day 13 of 23 · Reconstructed date: 2024-04-05 · Source: travelshorts · Editorial edition: 3 November 2026.
What happened on day 13
- Experienced09:25
Leshan Giant Buddha
Explored Leshan Giant Buddha scenic area and descended the steep cliffside staircase to stand at the feet of the 71-meter carved stone Buddha.
Video evidence (2)
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 9:02Caption timestamp checked
I hoped we would get here before nine, but it's actually 9:25 now.
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 38:34Caption timestamp checked
Now, it's a shame, but at least we got to see the Buddha from its feet.
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 9:02Caption timestamp checked
- Experienced
Oriental Buddha Capital
Walked to the Oriental Buddha Capital adjacent to the Giant Buddha and toured the underground cave system with thousands of carved Buddha statues.
Video evidence (1)
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 24:54Caption timestamp checked
The underground palace is that way, down some very steep steps.
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 24:54Caption timestamp checked
- Experienced
Chengdu
Had an authentic Sichuan hot pot dinner in Chengdu with a split spicy/non-spicy pot, beef, lamb, and vegetables.
Video evidence (1)
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 50:16Caption timestamp checked
We want half the hot pot spicy and half the hot pot not spicy.
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 50:16Caption timestamp checked
What the creator thought
Recommendation
Travelshorts’ observation: It is recommended to arrive at Leshan Giant Buddha before 9:00 AM as queues become very large, especially for the staircase down to the feet of the Buddha.
Video evidence (1)
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 8:52Caption timestamp checked
They actually recommend that you get here before nine o'clock in the morning because the queues can get pretty big, especially if you want to walk down to go the foot of the giant Buddha.
Transport
Travelshorts’ observation: First-class high-speed train seating in China offers a 2x2 layout with noticeably more legroom and footrests compared to second class.
Video evidence (1)
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 2:14Caption timestamp checked
And there are quite a lot of room compared with second class, isn't there?
Where they actually stayed
Crowne Plaza Chengdu City Centre
Actually stayed · 3 nights · Day 11 · Day 12 · Day 13
Room recorded: Twin Room with rollaway bed added.
Travelshorts’ account: Base room rate was very cheap (£60 a night), but charged an additional 398 RMB per night for an extra rollaway bed for Holly, which almost doubled the room cost.
Observed during this stay: Plaza Cafe restaurant, executive lounge, swimming pool. These are historical observations, not a current amenities guarantee.
Video evidence (3)
- CHINA TRAVEL DAY - SHANGHAI TO CHENGDU by MAGLEV and FLYING China Southern Airlines · 38:00Caption timestamp checked
So for three nights I'm paying 1600 rmb for the, for the hotel room.
- We visited the CHENGDU PANDA BASE the BEST place to see PANDAS in CHINA · 0:25Caption timestamp checked
After getting up at 6:00 AM this morning, having breakfast at the hotel,
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 60:07Caption timestamp checked
We're back at the hotel, so I think we're going to end this video for tonight here.
Getting around
Train: Chengdu East Railway Station to Leshan Railway Station
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 3:16Caption timestamp checked
If you're interested, the price for these tickets going 52 minutes from Chengdu East to Leshan was
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 3:16Caption timestamp checked
Taxi: Leshan Railway Station to Leshan Giant Buddha
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 8:07Caption timestamp checked
The taxi journey was about 35 minutes, 40 minutes.
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 8:07Caption timestamp checked
Train: Leshan Railway Station to Chengdu East Railway Station
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 44:13Caption timestamp checked
This is the first-class train going all the way from Leshan railway Station to Chengdu East railway Station.
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 44:13Caption timestamp checked
Costs mentioned in the videos
Historical amounts with their original currencies and price scopes. Listed prices and category summaries are distinguished from amounts paid; these are not a day-total calculation.
- First Class train ticket Chengdu East to Leshan (Adult)£9.32
Transaction · Paid · PER_PERSON · Chengdu East Railway Station
Video evidence (1)
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 3:23Caption timestamp checked
£4.66 for children, so that's Matthew and Holly, and £9.32 for me.
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 3:23Caption timestamp checked
- Taxi from Leshan Station to Leshan Giant Buddha north gateCN¥29.00
Transaction · Paid · TOTAL · Leshan Railway Station
Video evidence (1)
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 8:11Caption timestamp checked
There's quite a bit of traffic, but it only costs 29 RMB, which is just over £3.
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 8:11Caption timestamp checked
- Leshan Giant Buddha admission tickets (1 adult, 2 children)CN¥160.00
Transaction · Paid · TOTAL · Leshan Giant Buddha
Video evidence (1)
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 9:26Caption timestamp checked
The price was 80 RMB for me and 40 RMB each Matthew and Holly because they had child tickets. Total price, 160, which roughly equates
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 9:26Caption timestamp checked
- Chengdu Hot Pot dinner with meats, vegetables, and drinksCN¥245.00
Transaction · Paid · TOTAL · Chengdu
Video evidence (1)
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 58:22Caption timestamp checked
That came to 245 RMB, which is about £26.
- LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha · 58:22Caption timestamp checked
Watch the original account
LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA in CHINA - The Worlds LARGEST Buddha
Travel day · Uploaded 2024-09-21 · Day 13