Because bad weather is forecasted for the midweek and to escape the crowd I believe it is a good idea to go to the countryside on the second day: Leshan is 150 km away from Chengdu where the giant Buddha has been residing over the the confluence of three rivers Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi for over 1200 years, carved out of the mountain rock. He has helped to calm the turbulent water for the passing ships. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Scenery from the top
Purpose is a journey, not a destination. It takes two hours to get there. Metro to Xinnanmen Station (2 Yuan). Change to the overland bus to Leshan (45 Yuan). In front of the Leshan bus terminal where you get off, bus 13 will take you to the giant Buddha site entrance for 1 Yuan. Altogether 48 Yuan = 6,50 Euro.
Right side of Buddha: Jammed with visitors stepping down to his feet. Back to the top on his left side
Just ignore the unsolicited advisers offering their service constantly to you! Particularly in tourist hot spots. Of course, the majority of Chinese are friendly and willing to help according to my experience. They even apologise for not speaking English when you ask for help. And most of them don´t speak Englisch anyway ? Exception: the younger, more westernised generation.
The tallest stone Buddha of the world: 71m
Worshippers to his feet
Here is the prove: It is easier to write from top to bottom and from right to left, at least when you have to engrave your message!
There are quiet corners around Buddha
