Leshan 48 Hours: A Romantic Encounter with Food and the Giant Buddha – The Ultimate Foodie Travel Guide

Meta Description: Discover the perfect Leshan 48-hour itinerary! From Suji Town's legendary qiaojiao beef to the awe-inspiring Giant Buddha, this foodie travel guide covers must-eat dishes, hidden gems, and practical tips for a slow, romantic escape from Chengdu.

"I want to see the world with my own eyes, not just live through what others tell me."

That was the note I scribbled in my phone before setting off. I had grand plans for a birthday trip, but work tore them apart. While everyone on my social feed was posting snowy mountains in western Sichuan and grasslands in Garze, all I wanted was a quiet place to eat for two days—no rushing, no hiking, no hassle.

So Leshan became my answer.

From Chengdu to Leshan, it's just an hour by high-speed rail. For someone who doesn't want to waste time on the road and fears altitude sickness, this city—famous for its food—felt like destiny. No plans to hike Mount Emei. Even the Leshan Giant Buddha was a last-minute decision. After all, if I spent two days only eating, my stomach wouldn't survive either.

Sometimes, the unplanned trips are the most delightful. Leshan is a city built for slow living. Instead of cramming an itinerary full of check-ins, it's better to go with the flow—eat wherever you end up.

Meet the Crew: Three Women on a Food Crusade

This trip's lineup was me, Qiuqiu, and Jingjing. Three personalities, one shared faith—eating.

Qiuqiu traveled from out of town to Chengdu on Friday night. When she showed up at my door with a bouquet of flowers, I almost teared up. She's usually this carefree girl, but she knows how to be romantic. She volunteered to be my photographer. Her skills? Well, let's just say she managed to get a few decent shots of me. Jingjing is better with a camera, but she wasn't joining until the next day. I had no choice.

First Stop: Qiaojiao Beef at Suji Town – A Leshan Food Icon

Early Saturday morning, Qiuqiu and I headed to Chengdu East Station on empty stomachs. The 8:43 train got us to Leshan in an hour.

First thing off the train—a taxi to Gushixiang in Suji Town for qiaojiao niurou (spiced beef offal). The cab cost 13 yuan on Didi, cheaper than expected. This restaurant is the most eye-catching in town, with classic old-school decor full of character. We purposely skipped breakfast to save room. Luckily, it wasn't peak hours, so no waiting.

If you're planning to eat more in the city, don't order too much—unless you're a bottomless pit. My top picks are fenzheng niurou (steamed beef with rice flour) and hongtang guokui (brown sugar flatbread). Personal preference, but they're seriously good.

While waiting for the food, I couldn't stop snapping photos. Qiuqiu was starving and kept urging me: "Hurry up and take your pictures!" Before I finished, she'd already snatched the camera.

One dish wasn't on our order list—but we saw every table ordering two portions, so curiosity got the better of us. That moment, I really missed Jingjing: one more person means more dishes to try!

The naohua doufu (tofu with pork brain) was just okay—barely touched. Qiuqiu wanted another serving of the steamed beef after finishing hers, but I gently stopped her. Oh, to have a super-sized stomach.

After eating, we strolled around the town. There was an old bridge nearby, but it didn't impress us, so we skipped photos and headed back to the hotel.

Stay Right, Eat Right: The Best Hotel Location for Food Lovers

I have to praise Qiuqiu's hotel choice—Longchen Hotel on East Street. It turned out this street is a food hub: Ye Popo's Bobo Ji (chicken skewers in chili oil), Haihuiyuan's old shaomai (steamed dumplings), Ji Liuniang, Zhao Duck... all within walking distance.

At 3 p.m., we woke up and went hunting again.

First stop: Haihuiyuan Old Shaomai Shop. Learning from lunch, we ordered wisely—just one liang (50 grams) of shaomai and one liang of steamed dumplings (5 pieces each). More variety, smaller portions—so we could try more. If you're a noodle lover, this place is for you. The owner noticed me filming him and immediately switched into "work mode." His expression changed so fast it was hilarious.

Walking and Eating, Step by Step: Leshan Street Food Crawl

After the shaomai, we wanted kabing (stuffed flatbread). Leshan is small, so we decided to walk and digest. The kabing shop was at a corner near East Street—easy to find with navigation. I don't eat cilantro or pork intestines, so I ordered beef; Qiuqiu got a combo (beef + intestines). Address: West People's Road.

On the way back, we stopped for doufugan (dried tofu). The shop was tiny—we almost missed it across the street. The auntie was wrapping the tofu, and we ordered every variety. I thought it was decent, but Qiuqiu wasn't a fan. Everyone's taste is different—maybe it'll be your thing.

Then we hit Sanxian Ice Jelly (three-ingredient bingfen). In a narrow old alley, a guy was catching the jelly in fancy ways, drawing a crowd. This was the longest queue we faced. Address: 23 Gulou Street.

Leshan Giant Buddha: Two Hours in Line, Five Minutes with the Buddha – What You Need to Know

The next morning at 8 a.m., Jingjing finally joined us. Today's plan: Leshan Giant Buddha + more eating.

After breakfast, we packed some snacks. First, we took Jingjing to try the shaomai from yesterday. Then we grabbed half a tianpi ya (sweet-skin duck) from Zhao Duck next door (Ji Liuniang is right next to it—both are recommended). After that, we hit Jiumei Phoenix Claw Shop near Gulou—yesterday the line was too long, but today it was almost empty.

I highly recommend the garlic-flavored chicken feet—I thought it would be spicy at first. We packed half a jin (250 grams) each of garlic and pickled chili flavors, plus some sweet-and-sour spare ribs, which were also delicious.

We took a taxi to the Giant Buddha scenic area. Didn't buy tickets in advance—same price as online: 90 yuan.

At first, I thought the mountain was huge... but we reached the top in 30 minutes, walking slowly. We arrived early, so it wasn't crowded. Later, it got packed—weekend, understandable. We saw lots of senior tour groups, and I really admired those grandparents. My grandpa was in the army and visited Leshan 30 years ago. I want to bring him again this year, but he won't be climbing—the queue for the plank path is too long, and the road is rough. I'd choose a boat ride instead.

We waited over an hour to go down the plank path. They said that was fast—sometimes it takes two or three hours. Luckily, the sun came out later, or we'd have roasted. Bring a sun umbrella.

Standing at the Buddha's feet, you truly feel small. On the plank path, I spotted the Buddha's foot and couldn't resist a photo. My only tourist shot was taken by Jingjing.

By the time we descended, the sun was blazing. We were roasting and immediately hailed a cab for ice jelly to cool down.

[Link: Best time to visit Leshan Giant Buddha to avoid crowds]

The Final Feast: Eating Until We Couldn't, Then Eating More – Leshan's Best Late-Night Eats

Chuanmei Fancy Ice Jelly (12 Jiaxiang Road) had a decent line. We ordered three bowls: fancy sago pudding, fancy bingfen, and "mother-in-law" bingfen. The owner said the mother-in-law version "fills you up"—and she wasn't kidding. There were also potatoes, but we couldn't manage any more.

After a break, we went back to the hotel on East Street for Ye Popo's Bobo Ji (chicken skewers in chili oil). By then, we were stuffed—but we forced ourselves. What a waste of effort! Both red oil and Sichuan pepper flavors were great. It's up to your taste, but I'd say try both.

Our last stop was Jiujiu Tofu Pudding on South People's Road, just before Square Tofu. We ordered crispy pork and beef.

We didn't methodically hit every street. Instead, we ate whatever came to mind and walked to digest. If you prefer efficiency, you can plan by neighborhood.

[Link: Complete Leshan food map with street-by-street guide]

Finally, a recommendation from a Leshan girl I met while traveling in Myanmar: Fried Skewers. They were genuinely good. Must-try items: oyster mushrooms, green beans, pork belly, ribs.

Location: 150 Cuiyuan Street, Central District (Branch 2). The main branch is Yingzi Fried Skewers (City Star branch), but it doesn't show up on Didi. The driver said it's a local favorite—and after tasting it, I completely understand why.

FAQ: Your Leshan 48-Hour Trip Questions Answered

1. How do I get from Chengdu to Leshan?

The fastest way is by high-speed rail from Chengdu East Station. The journey takes approximately one hour, with frequent departures throughout the day. Tickets are affordable and can be booked online.

2. What is the best time to visit Leshan Giant Buddha?

Early morning (before 9 a.m.) on weekdays is ideal to avoid crowds. If you visit on weekends, be prepared for queues of 1-3 hours for the plank path. Alternatively, take a boat cruise for a different perspective without the wait.

3. What are the must-try dishes in Leshan?

Don't miss: qiaojiao niurou (spiced beef offal) at Suji Town, shaomai at Haihuiyuan, bobo ji (chicken skewers) at Ye Popo, tianpi ya (sweet-skin duck) at Zhao Duck, and fried skewers at Yingzi. For dessert, try the three-ingredient ice jelly (bingfen).

4. How much does a Leshan food trip cost?

A 48-hour food-focused trip can be very budget-friendly. Expect to spend around 90 yuan for the Giant Buddha ticket, plus 50-100 yuan per meal for two people. Hotels like Longchen Hotel on East Street offer great value and central location.

5. Can I visit Leshan Giant Buddha without climbing?

Yes! Boat tours are available that give you a stunning view of the Buddha from the river. This is a great option for seniors, families with young children, or anyone who wants to avoid the long queues on the plank path.

Your Leshan Adventure Awaits

Leshan is more than just a stopover—it's a destination that feeds your soul and your stomach. Whether you're a seasoned foodie, a history buff, or simply looking for a slow, romantic escape from the city, this 48-hour itinerary has everything you need.

Ready to plan your own Leshan food and Buddha adventure? Book your high-speed rail tickets, reserve a room on East Street, and start your culinary journey today. Your taste buds will thank you.

Share your Leshan food discoveries with us! Tag your photos with #LeshanEats and inspire others to explore this incredible city.

[Link: Best hotels in Leshan for food lovers] [Link: Complete guide to Leshan Giant Buddha tickets and tours] [Link: Top 10 Sichuan street foods you must try]