Private Day Tour: Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Grand Buddha

Visit two of China’s top attractions on this private full-day tour to the Chengdu Panda Base and the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Grand Buddha in Leshan. Get an early start to see the pandas in action and enjoy photo ops of baby and adult panda bears. Then travel to Leshan for a guided tour of the Grand Buddha, the world’s biggest stone Buddha sculpture. Visit the Buddha’s adjacent temples, and admire the surrounding scenery of rivers and forest. Travel in comfort with a private guide and driver, lunch is included.

Your day trip starts with hotel pickup by your private and friendly guide and driver. Head directly to the Chengdu Panda Base (aka the Panda Breeding Center, officially known as the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding), located about 40 minutes outside of central Chengdu.

Arrive at the center before feeding time to observe the beloved bears when they are at their most active. Your guide leads you through different areas to see baby and adult giant pandas, as well as red pandas, cat-like animals that are not closely related to giant pandas but are still pretty cute. Learn about the protection of panda bears in the wild and recent achievements in breeding, feeding and reintroduction to the wilderness.

Next up, leave the panda base and take in the scenery during the 3-hour drive to Leshan, where you’ll have lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Grand Buddha, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed as ‘Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area.’

Work started on the Grand Buddha in the year 713 and was completed in 803 after several delays. Carved out of a cliff next to the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the massive sculpture stands 233 feet (71 meters) high and measures 92 feet (28 meters) wide. It is the largest carved stone Buddha in the world by far.

Begin your tour of the site at the Grand Buddha Temple (Lingyun Temple), which sits behind the Buddha’s giant head (as you approach, note the statue’s hair, which includes approximately 1,020 coiled buns). Inside the temple, view intricate sculptures and wall decorations, and then follow your guide down a trail that leads to the base of the Buddha. Make sure you got enough good photos of this wonder before head back to Chengdu, where your day trip ends with hotel or airport drop-off.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
• Drop-off at the Chengdu airport is possible at the end of your tour; if you would like to be dropped off at the airport, contact the local tour operator after booking; contact information will be on your confirmation voucher
• Infants one year and younger are free of charge

• Private Panda and Buddha Tour
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  Private Tour: Private Tour: Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Grand Buddha
  Pickup included

• Private comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking guide
• Entry/Admission – Leshan Buddha
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Entry/Admission – Chengdu Panda Base

• Gratuities
• Optional boat ride in Leshan ($10 per person)

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• This Tour is Provided by Samtour of Chengdu OTC Travel.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Asia/Chongqing.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 1 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.