Giant Panda and Leshan Buddha tour from Chengdu: Small group

Watch pandas at their most active, then stand before a Buddha carved over 90 years by three generations of craftsmen.

A full-day tour from Chengdu to two major sites: the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the early morning when pandas are most active, and the Leshan Giant Buddha, a 71-metre World Heritage monument carved into rock at the joining of river tributaries. The tour runs with a small group of no more than eight travellers, includes hotel pickup within the third ring road, an English-speaking guide, all park and boat entry, and an air-conditioned vehicle for the 2.5-hour drive between sites.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding2h 30m · entry included
2. Leshan Giant Buddha2h · entry included

Visit pandas and Leshan Giant Buddha

• Pick up from hotel at 7:30am
• Drive to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
• See giant pandas and red pandas
• Visit panda nursery if lucky
• Drive 2.5 hours to Leshan Giant Buddha
• Explore Leshan Giant Buddha and learn Buddhism
• Drive back to downtown or hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel at 7:30am. Your guide meets you in the lobby and drives you to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where timing matters: arriving early means you'll catch the pandas during their breakfast and play time, when they're most animated. The research base is a working facility, not just a viewing park. You'll see giant pandas, red pandas, and if you're lucky, baby pandas in the nursery. Bring fully charged devices. The guide notes they're what they call "film and battery killers" here.

After the morning at the panda centre, the drive to Leshan Giant Buddha takes 2.5 hours. The Buddha itself is 71 metres tall and carved directly from the rock mountain where two river tributaries meet. It's one of the most impressive Buddhist sites in China, and the scale becomes clear only when you're standing in front of it. The monument took three generations of engineers and craftsmen 90 years to complete, starting in 713 AD. Your guide explains the Buddhist philosophy and the stories behind the site, and you'll also see the heritage architecture and local life around it. The boat ticket is included, giving you a water-level view of the carving.

After visiting the Buddha, your guide drives you back to downtown Chengdu or your hotel. The whole day runs about nine hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup within the third ring road at 7:30am.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• entry to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
• entry to the Leshan Giant Buddha site.
• boat ticket for viewing the Buddha from the water.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all transport between sites and back to your hotel or downtown.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (12 to 15 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by U2Panda

Is this one for you?Small groups of up to eight work well for this tour because the intimate size lets your guide answer questions at both the panda centre and the Buddha site without rushing, and it keeps the van comfortable during the 2.5-hour drive between locations.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 15 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time do I need to be ready for pickup?

Pickup happens at 7:30am from your hotel lobby, inside the third ring road. Your guide will meet you there and you'll head straight to the panda research base.

Why does the tour go to the panda centre so early in the morning?

The Chengdu Research Base pandas are most active during their breakfast and play time in the early hours, so arriving early gives you the best chance to see them moving and interacting rather than resting.

How far is the Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu?

The drive to Leshan Giant Buddha takes 2.5 hours from the panda centre. You'll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with your guide.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes hotel pickup, the English-speaking guide, entry to the Chengdu Research Base, entry to the Leshan Giant Buddha site, a boat ticket for a water-level view of the Buddha, and an air-conditioned vehicle for the entire day.

How many people will be on this tour?

This is a small group tour with a maximum of eight travellers, so the group stays intimate throughout the day.

What should I bring for a nine-hour day?

Bring comfortable walking shoes, fully charged devices for photos and video, snacks or pocket money for additional snacks, and a daypack with any personal necessities you'll need during the day.