3-Day Leshan & Mount Emei Hiking Tour from Chengdu with Giant Pandas
Tour Overview
The 3-day trip combines three of Sichuan’s signature experiences: giant pandas in Chengdu, the 71-meter Leshan Giant Buddha and a challenging hike through Mount Emei.
Start at the Chengdu Panda Base, then head to Leshan. You can either hike up to the viewing platform for a close-up of the Giant Buddha, or take a boat to see it from the river.
Have some real hiking on Mount Emei. The trails wind through forested mountains and past Buddhist temples — from Wannian Temple, passing Xixiangchi and Leidongping, with around 22 km on the main hiking day. Keep going up to Golden Summit the next morning , check out the Samantabhadra statue and take in the wide views of the surrounding peaks.
This trip involves long walks and steady climbs, so it’s best for active travelers who want to experience Mount Emei on foot instead of just taking a bus and cable car to the top.
Travel Destinations: Chengdu, Leshan, Mount Emei
Suitable for: Hiking enthusiasts, culture lovers, nature seekers
Tour type: Private
Tour at A Glance
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Day
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Destinations
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What to See & Do
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1
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Chengdu – Leshan – Mount Emei
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Chengdu Panda Base giant pandas, UNESCO-listed Leshan Giant Buddha, hiking tour or panoramic boat trip, transfer to Mount Emei
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2
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Mount Emei
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22-km mountain hiking, Wannian Temple, forest trails, Xixinsuo, Chudian, Huayan Summit, Jiulinggang, Xixiangchi Temple, overnight at Leidongping
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3
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Mount Emei – Chengdu
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Optional sunrise view, hike to Golden Summit, Jieyin Temple and Taiziping, Samantabhadra Statue, Huazang Temple, cable car downhill, return to Chengdu
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Highlights of this tour
Meet adorable pandas at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and watch them up close as they go about their daily activities.
Hike the trails for a close-up or take a boat ride for a panoramic view of the magnificent 71-meter-tall Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest ancient stone-carved Buddha statues.
Embark on a hiking tour through Mount Emei’s peaceful forests, ancient temples, and stone-paved trails. Admire the 48-meter Buddhist statue and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains at the Golden Summit.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Chengdu to Emeishan by Private CarSee Lovely Giant Pandas and 71-Meter-Tall Leshan Giant Buddha
In the morning, your tour guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel in Chengdu and take you to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Follow the trails through the panda base to see giant pandas of different ages, and gain insight into their natural behaviors and the center's conservation work. Pandas are most active in the morning, so an early start is recommended.
Drive for about 2 hours to Leshan to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. Built against the riverside mountain, the statue stands approximately 71 meters tall and is one of the world’s largest ancient stone-carved seated Maitreya Buddhas.
There are two ways to tour the Leshan Giant Buddha. Please choose one of them before departure:
Hiking: After entering the scenic area, walk along trails at the summit area to the Buddha’s head. Depending on your physical strength and the visitor flow on that day, you can decide whether to continue down the plank road to the Buddha's feet. Expect longer waits during peak season.
Boat: Take a boat ride to enjoy a panoramic view of the Giant Buddha and the surrounding mountains from the water. This option involves less walking, making it a more relaxed experience.
Experience a boat trip to admire the Leshan Buddha Statue After the tour, take a 45-minute drive to a hotel near the Mount Emei Scenic Area to check in and rest.
- Day 2: Mount Emei HikingHike through Forests and Ancient Temple
Spend the whole day hiking on Mount Emei. Take the sightseeing bus for about 30 minutes from the Visitor Center to Wannian Temple parking lot, where today’s hike adventure begins.
From the parking lot to Wannian Temple — the oldest and largest of Mount Emei's ancient monasteries, you can either hike uphill, about 40 to 60 minutes, or take the cable car at your own expense, about 8 minutes. Inside, you can see its Beamless Brick Hall and the majestic 62-ton bronze Samantabhadra statue.
Bronze Buddha statue at Wannian Temple of Mount Emei After that, walk about 12 km to Jiulinggang, passing temples such as Xixinsuo, Chudian and Huayan Summit along the way. This section features mountains, forests, stone steps and temples, with relatively few tourists. Take your time to enjoy the natural scenery and experience Buddhist culture of Mount Emei.
From Jiulinggang, continue for another 2.5 km to Xixiangchi Temple. Discover the legendary pool where Samantabhadra washed his elephant and witness the dreamlike “Moonlight over Elephant Pool”. After a short rest, follow the mountain path uphill to Leidongping, where you will stay overnight.
Today’s hike covers about 22 km in total and usually takes 7 - 9 hours. With many stone steps and continuous uphill and downhill sections along the way, it requires a good level of fitness.
- Day 3: Return to ChengduHike to the Summit and Enjoy Breathtaking Mountain Views
If you want to see the sunrise at the Golden Summit, you need to set off early in the morning. The exact departure time will be determined based on the sunrise time that day.
Hike from Leidongping to the Golden Summit, with the Jieyin Temple and Taiziping along the way. The trails mainly consists of stone steps. As the elevation gradually increases, some sections become steeper and require a good level of fitness.
At an altitude of approximately 3,077 meters, the Golden Summit is home to the 48-meter gilded bronze statue of Samantabhadra (Puxian) Bodhisattva, as well as Huazang Temple. On clear days, you can look out over the surrounding mountains from the summit and may catch a view of the famous sea of clouds.
Huazang Temple on Mount Emei Take the Golden Summit Cableway down to Jieyin Temple, then walk about 1.5 km back to Leidongping. Finally, take the sightseeing bus back to the tourist center.
Return to Chengdu by private vehicle, concluding the 3-day hiking tour to Leshan and Mount Emei.
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
Accommodation For This 3-Day Leshan and Mount Emei Tour
For your China private tour, the choice is in your hands: you can select luxury 5-star hotels for unparalleled comfort, cozy 4-star accommodations, or value-for-money 3-star options.
All our partner hotels are handpicked for their prime locations, conveniently situated near bustling commercial areas. Every room is equipped with standard amenities like air conditioning, hot water, 24-hour showers, reliable Wi-Fi, and windows for natural light.
In some hotels, there are English-speaking staff who are committed to providing attentive service. Should you have any special requests, feel free to ask - they are always ready to assist.
