Giant Panda and Giant Buddha Tour
One Day Panda and Leshan Giant Buddha Tour
Got limited time in Chengdu? No worries! China Highlights has handpicked the two best-rated attractions by our former customers: the Panda Breeding and Research Center and the Leshan Giant Buddha. It saves 50% of the traveling time by connecting Chengdu and Leshan with the Chengdu–Mianyang–Leshan Intercity High-speed Railway. A taxi will be arranged in Leshan to make the tour cost-efficient. Try the exclusive tour to make most of your time!
Highlights
- Meet the lovely pandas in the Panda Breeding and Research Center
- Climb up to the largest Buddha statue in the world in Leshan
- Experience the most advanced high-speed railway in China
What Our Customers Said
Two amazing tours
Both tours were led by excellent guides who knew a lot about everywhere we went, and were very helpful and friendly. The agent was equally helpful and quick in responding to questions which was ,especially in covid restrictions time, extremely convenient. moreJul 2022, Elizabeth
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Panda Keeper for a Day at Dujianyan Sichuan
This is was the second time that we had signed up for the program Panda Keeper for a Day, this time at the Dujianyan Panda Base, about 1 hour drive away from Chengdu. Great experience again. We will surely do it once again. moreMar 2022, Thomas
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Amazing Tibet experience in Sichuan
Henry was an informative guide who went out of his way to ensure positive experiences. Mr Wu was not only a safe and attentive driver on sometimes rough roads but also a great photographer, capturing shots of us as we toured. Henry went out of his way to talk to anyone around to help bring the place alive through stories so we had the opportunity to meet so many locals, real people, and hear about their lives. Another highlight was the opportunity to climb a 1000 year old watchtower in Danba and meet the local family who managed it. Truly magical. Henry was also a consummate foodie who provided us with great local food recommendations along the way. moreJul 2021, Deborah J
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Amazing visit to panda bases in Chengdu and Woolong
Jason was terrific; he understood our interests in pandas and he made our outings very enjoyable. We plan to return to Chengdu to visit pandas and will be asking for Jason again. moreDec 2019, victoriadH3461ED
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Amazing visit to panda bases in Chengdu and Woolong
Our 2 day tour in Chengdu, including a visit to Chengdu and Woolong panda bases (part of 9 day tour in China) was amazing. From the planning stages with Carol Wang to the activities on the ground with our tour guide Jason and our driver, everything proceeded smoothly, with appropriate last minute adjustments to ensure the best experience. moreDec 2019, victoriadH3461ED
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We have just completed the Chengdu leg of our trip to China organised by Robert Hui at China Highlights. Our Guide for the 2 Day trip was Daisy Du who made us feel very welcome and helped us check in and ensured our rooms were satisfactory then gave us directions of where to go for the best food. The next day Daisy took us straight to the Giant Panda Breeding and Research centre. It was fantastic to see the Pandas so close. It’s a little sad that they are in captivity but it is essential to increase the breeding rate and so save these wonderful animals from extinction. We saw Pandas of all ages and sizes including a tiny little baby that was only 36 day old. After an extremely tasty lunch picked for us by Daisy she then took us into the people’s park and showed us the tea houses and dating area where parents can advertise their single ‘30 something’ children to potential partners. The day ended with a wander around Jinli Old Street where you can buy anything from food to souvenirs to furniture. We have had the best time in Chengdu helped no end by the friendly, helpfulness of our guide Daisy who knew all the best places to go and sights to see. Thank you Daisy, a great time was had by all. ---jayne_Stu Halifax, United Kingdom moreNov 2019,
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With other two friends I have visited Chengdu in September 2018 and our tour guide was Jason, who has been really amazing with us. He had the smart idea to bring us to the Pandas reserve very early in order to avoid the crowds, even if we were visiting Chengdu right during the Chinese national holidays. After the Pandas reserve, we visited the tea park and the city centre, where Jason could give us a lot of information about Chengdu. Jason gave us also very nice suggestions about places to visit in the evenings during our free time. Totally recommended!!! ---Vittorio C Berlin, Germany moreNov 2019,
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We had a great time in Chengdu seeing the pandas and other excursions. Cecelia, our guide, picked us up with a bag of fruit and a wealth of knowledge. She took great care of us, got us through lines quickly and brought us to great restaurants. We even took a cooking class. Highly recommend her. --Robert D,Seattle, Washington, US moreOct 2019,
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Suggested Itinerary
Please check the general itinerary of the whole day. The train schedule is for your reference and our trip advisor will choose the train based on the arrangements:
7:30am: In the morning, your guide will pick you up from your hotel in urban Chengdu. Your guide will call you one day in advance to your hotel or leave a message to double check the pick-up time with you.
8:30am: Arrive at the Panda Breeding and Research Center, which is the easiest way to catch a glimpse of lovely pandas outside of a zoo. The enclosures there are large and kept in good condition.

10:30am: After the panda tour, your guide and driver will transfer you to Chengdu East Railway Station.
11:15am: Arrive at Chengdu East Railway Station. Your guide will assist you with the check-in process.
12:16pm–1:29pm (one hour): Take High-Speed Train C6305 from Chengdu to Leshan. Your guide will accompany you on the train. Note: Lunch is not included. Please prepare some packed food and snacks as lunch to enjoy on the train.
2:00pm: Go out of Leshan Railway Station and take a taxi. Note: It may take some time to wait for a taxi. The taxi cost is not included and is about CNY30/US$5 from the station to the Leshan Buddha each way. It is recommended to take CNY200–500 Chinese cash with you.
2:30pm: Arrive at the Leshan Giant Buddha and start the tour to climb up to the Buddha.

5:00pm: After the tour, your guide will escort you back to Leshan Railway Station via a taxi.
5:30pm: Arrive at Leshan Railway Station and the guide will help you with the check-in process.
6:35pm–7:28pm (one hour): Take train C6256 from Leshan back to Chengdu with your guide.
7:30pm: Your driver will be waiting for you at the Chengdu East Railway Station. Then your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.
Trip Notes
1. Can I have a private car in Leshan? I don't want to take a taxi or the high-speed train.
Since Leshan is a small developing city, there is no decent travel agency offering private transfer serivce. For you to enjoy private transfer in Leshan, we are happy to arrange a private car and a driver to escort you between Chengdu and Leshan. It will make the tour more worried-free but more pricy, as the distance is over 142 kilometers (88 miles) and it takes about two hours each way. The tour cost is approximately US$50–80 higher per person. Please inform our trip advisor of your preference.
2. Can I take a cruise to have an overlook at the Leshan Buddha?
Due to the limited time, there won't be enough time for both climbing the Buddha and taking a cruise. The cruise lasts for about 20 minutes but it may take some time to queue. You can choose either to climb or to take the cruise.
3. What if we cannot catch the train going back to Chengdu?
We will purchase the round-trip tickets for you in advance and your guide will forward them to you during the tour. If you miss the booked train going back to Chengdu, your guide can help you change to a later train at the train station without extra cost.
4. What information is required to book the tour?
Clear passport copy is required to purchase the train tickets for you. Please also inform the name and address of your hotel in downtown Chengdu. It's recommended to book the tour at least 7 days before departure date so that we can purchase the train tickets with the best schedule.
5. What are the Payment Methods:
We now offer 3 payment methods: PayPal, credit card authorization via fax and wire transfer. PayPal is recommended for its safety and efficiency. You can pay USA dollars, Australian dollars, European dollars and Great Britain Pound directly with your credit card or debit card, even if you don't have PayPal account.
6. What is the Cancellation Policy?
In the event of cancellation we will refund any payment made to China Highlights (unless any cancellation fee applicable) within 14 days of our receipt of your written cancellation request. Visit here for more details.
7. What about the Gratuities to Guide and Driver?
Tips to the guide and driver are not included. If the guide's and driver's service truly satisfy you, our suggestion to the tips would be:
1 person in the group, CNY150-200,
2 people in a group: CNY100/person,
3-5 people in a group: CNY50-70/person,
6-9 people in a group: CNY40-50/person,
≥10 people in a group: CNY20-30/person.
The driver would be half the amount, and separate offer to each is best.
8. Do I Need Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is not included. We carefully selected some insurance providers from your region that give you the best value for money. Click here to go to the travel insurance page.
Price includes:
Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.