A Tang dynasty figure carved into a riverside cliff. You come from Chengdu by train. The walk down to the feet and the view from a boat are not the same product.
The figure is huge and the path is a crowd in a stair. Go for the cliff and the river together. The souvenir street above the gate is not the sight.
Summer is hot on the stone. Take water. The tap water in the bathrooms is not for drinking.
Getting there
High-speed train from Chengdu to Leshan, then a bus or taxi to the scenic area. Leave in the morning. A late start spends the Buddha on the return platform.
Staying nearby
Sleep in Chengdu. A night in Leshan is worth it only if Emei Mountain is the next morning. The town at the gate is for lunch, not for the trip.