Panda and Leshan Buddha Private Tour from Chengdu
Two of Chengdu's landmarks in one day: pandas in the morning, a UNESCO Buddha carved into stone in the afternoon
A private tour of Chengdu that pairs the Panda Breeding Base with the Leshan Giant Buddha, led by an English-speaking local guide. Start at the breeding base to watch giant pandas eat and play in outdoor enclosures, visit the nursery for seasonal cubs, and explore the red panda zone. In the afternoon, travel to Leshan to see the 71-meter stone Buddha carved into a cliff over 1,200 years ago, then walk Lingyun Temple and the surrounding trails above the Minjiang River.
Step-by-step itinerary
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Entry included 3h
- Leshan Giant Buddha Entry included 2h
Visit pandas and Leshan Buddha
- See giant pandas in outdoor enclosures
- Visit panda nursery area
- Explore red panda zone
- Listen to guide's panda insights
- Marvel at Leshan Giant Buddha statue
- Explore Lingyun Temple and trails
- Learn history of Leshan Buddha
What’s included
- Admission to the Panda Breeding Base and Leshan Giant Buddha.
- hotel pickup and drop-off within central Chengdu and inside the 3rd Ring Road.
- private air-conditioned vehicle.
- bottled water.
- English-speaking local guide for the full day.
Times
- Every day 07:30
Information
Prices and times updated 14 days ago
Operated by Panda Adventures with Liuji
The experience
Eight to ten hours with a private guide means you move at your own pace and skip the tour-group rush. The morning at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding starts early, when the pandas are most active: eating, playing, napping in the natural-style outdoor enclosures. Your guide shares what the researchers actually know about panda behavior and China's conservation work. The nursery area sometimes has cubs on view, depending on the season. You'll also walk through the red panda zone before heading back to your hotel for a break or lunch on your own.
The afternoon drive takes you south to Leshan, where the Giant Buddha sits carved into a cliff face 71 meters tall. The statue took over a century to carve and was finished more than 1,200 years ago. You explore Lingyun Temple and walk the surrounding trails, which open up views across the Minjiang River valley. Your guide explains the spiritual history and why this UNESCO World Heritage Site matters to the region. The whole site is built into the landscape, so there's real walking involved, but the pace is yours to set.
Hotel pickup and drop-off within central Chengdu and inside the 3rd Ring Road are included, along with the air-conditioned vehicle, entry to both sites, bottled water, and your guide's time. You arrange your own lunch, which gives you flexibility to eat where and when suits the day.
Is this one for you?Choose this private tour if you want to see both sites in one day with an English-speaking local guide who can adapt the schedule to your pace, rather than joining a group tour with fixed departure times.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Chinese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 2): free.
What are the giant pandas actually doing when I arrive at the breeding base?
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding opens early so you see the pandas most active: eating bamboo, playing in the outdoor enclosures, or napping. Cubs appear seasonally in the nursery area, and your guide explains panda behavior and the research happening on-site.
How tall is the Leshan Giant Buddha and how old is it?
The Leshan Giant Buddha stands 71 meters tall and was carved into a cliff face over 1,200 years ago. It is the world's largest stone Buddha statue and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Do I walk much at the Leshan site?
Yes, you walk the trails around Lingyun Temple and the Buddha to see it from different angles and take in the views across the Minjiang River valley. The pace is flexible and set by you and your guide.
What's included in the tour price?
Entry to both the Panda Breeding Base and Leshan Giant Buddha, hotel pickup and drop-off within central Chengdu and inside the 3rd Ring Road, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and a private English-speaking guide are all included. You arrange and pay for your own lunch.
How does the schedule work across the two sites?
The tour runs eight to ten hours total. You start at the Panda Breeding Base in the morning before crowds arrive, return to your hotel area in the early afternoon, then drive to Leshan for the afternoon and evening visit to the Buddha and temple. Your guide adjusts the pacing to fit your energy and interests.
Panda and Leshan Buddha Private Tour from Chengdu
8h–10h · EN +1 · at your hotel
from US$ 179 per person