2-day Chengdu panda and Leshan Buddha tour with Mount Emei

Giant pandas, a colossal Buddha carved into stone, and Buddhist temples across two days

A 2-day tour of Chengdu, Leshan and Mount Emei with private transportation, English explanation, and entry to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, and Emei Mountain Scenic Area. Day one covers the panda base and the 71-metre Buddha statue carved during the Tang dynasty. Day two focuses on Mount Emei's temples and Buddhist heritage sites.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Pandas and Leshan Giant Buddha

• Visit Chengdu Giant Panda Base
• See giant pandas and other animals
• Travel to Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area
• Explore Leshan Giant Buddha statue

Day 2: Mount Emei Buddhist Tour

• Visit Mount Emei Scenic Area
• Explore temples and Buddhist sites
• Attend Buddhist ceremonies

The experience

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding sits 10 kilometres north of the city centre and holds the animals year-round alongside red pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks and other rare species. The base was built as one of China's main centres for relocating and protecting endangered wildlife, and it connects to the city by Panda Avenue. You spend the morning here before heading south to Leshan.

The Leshan Giant Buddha is a 71-metre stone statue carved into a cliff face where the Min River and Dadu River meet, built over ninety years during the Tang dynasty between 713 and 803. It is the largest and tallest stone Buddha in the world and faces Mount Emei across the water. The statue sits at the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site since 1996, and lies over 4 kilometres from Wuyou Temple.

Day two takes you to Mount Emei, one of the Four Great Buddhist Mountains in China and a sacred site for Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. About 30 temples stand on the mountain, including Baoguo Temple, Fuhu Temple, Qingyin Pavilion, Wannian Temple and others where Buddhist ceremonies are held regularly. The mountain is known for its deep Buddhist culture and serves as an ashram for monks and pilgrims. Private transportation covers both days, and road tolls and fuel are included in the price.

What’s included

• Private transportation for both days from your hotel to all attractions.
• English explanation at the Chengdu Research Base, Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area and Mount Emei.
• road tolls and fuel fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by pandachinago

Is this one for you?English explanation means you follow the commentary comfortably without a separate guide, and the two-day pace lets you see all three sites without rushing or backtracking in a single day.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What animals can I see at the Chengdu panda base besides giant pandas?

The Chengdu Research Base keeps red pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks, swans, black swans, geese, mandarin ducks and peacocks year-round alongside the giant pandas.

How tall is the Leshan Giant Buddha and when was it built?

The Leshan Giant Buddha stands 71 metres tall and was carved into a cliff face over ninety years during the Tang dynasty, completed in 803.

How many temples are on Mount Emei and what are the main ones?

Mount Emei has about 30 temples, with important ones including Baoguo Temple, Fuhu Temple, Qingyin Pavilion, Wannian Temple, Hongchunping, Xianfeng Temple, Xixiangchi Temple and Huazang Temple.

Does the tour include hotel accommodation and meals?

The tour includes private transportation and English explanation at each site, but hotel accommodation, lunch and dinner are not included and must be arranged separately.

What do I need to know about fitness or health before booking?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness and is not recommended for travellers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy.