Chengdu to Leshan Buddha: Private Round Trip Transfer Review

Visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu is definitely something you should consider. That said, the journey can actually be quite the affair, yet one way to really take the stress out of this must-see adventure is with a private round trip transfer. So, I thought I would talk about just how my trip using a private transfer went, so you have a better idea if that is right for you. I will talk about what the ride was like, what to think about before booking, and just generally some things to consider about this transfer option.

Check this guide if you’re planning a visit

What Exactly You Can Expect From a Private Transfer

Alright, so what are you actually getting yourself into with a private transfer, right? The main thing is direct transport right from your hotel or wherever you’re staying in Chengdu straight to Leshan, and then back again. It’s point-to-point, so to speak. A driver picks you and any travel mates you might have right up, and that saves you a lot of time that you otherwise would waste figuring out train schedules, calling cabs, or generally figuring out all the steps you might need for other ways of traveling.

One thing I found pretty good was how easy the whole thing was from start to finish. The vehicles used for the transfers tend to be quite comfy; like I remember thinking, “I could get used to this” almost right away. You also are looking at drivers who usually speak a bit of English, or at least have ways to get around the language problem, and so it helps when you want to ask them where to get some awesome local grub. Having someone handle all of that heavy lifting related to traveling makes a big difference; the difference between showing up energized, and just plain showing up!

Planning Your Private Transfer: Some Handy Points

So, before you jump into booking a private transfer, here are some tips I want to share based on my experience. The first one: figure out just when you plan to swing by Leshan. The Giant Buddha tends to get pretty crowded, I recall the guide mentioning that it has some seriously busy periods, and going in the off-season or at least on a weekday might really make things a little bit better.

Next thing is that you need to figure out just how long you would like to spend there at the Buddha. Keep in mind that, other than seeing the Buddha, there might be a bit of walking to do and lines you might have to wait in. Personally, I think giving yourself a full day is the way to go, if you really are hoping to explore it. When you figure out when to travel and how long you need, that tends to let you better decide on your transfer’s schedule.

Speaking of your own time, think about just what time to depart Chengdu. Setting out early can actually beat some traffic in Chengdu and just maybe gets you to Leshan just ahead of those bus tour folks, maybe. It really is just a case of thinking ahead; think through your day from waking up in your room until arriving back after all is said and done.

The Ride: Just What to Expect

Okay, I would like to talk about the transfer ride itself. I took it not too long ago. From Chengdu all the way to Leshan is just about a 2-hour to 3-hour trip; that will really depend on traffic and what roads your driver decides to use, as a matter of fact. What I actually noticed first about my own car was how comfy it was – definitely cleaner and in better shape than any taxi I could have hailed. Being able to kick back a bit after the travel itself really was welcome.

Read the full travel breakdown here

And along the ride? The landscape going from Chengdu into Leshan is, to be honest, kind of average – lots of rural views, and sometimes you drive through small towns, too. A few services on the way are where you can stop to stretch your legs or grab a snack, if you happen to ask your driver. But to be fair, just seeing the standard everyday views of the Sichuan countryside has something interesting about it; gives you more perspective on daily life outside the city center, so to speak. Overall, the drive really is part of the day’s whole adventure and that makes all the difference in how you will consider traveling for any other destination trips that are more on the hard-to-reach end!

A Few Notes on Your Leshan Visit

The star, of course, is Leshan Giant Buddha when you’re using a transfer there, and frankly, it is huge; there is nothing else you can say to do it justice! So you understand, construction started during the Tang Dynasty. So many years of history can be seen. To honestly grasp how huge this Buddha really is, go check out the steps going alongside it; seeing those carved details up real close gives you a sense of the artwork, even. It might be worth hiring a local guide; guides normally know interesting stories about its construction, what the different carvings actually stand for, plus maybe the viewpoints that people might often skip. This extra insight really can enrich your visit.

Also, remember, it isn’t only about the Big Buddha! Right there are other temples as well as gardens in the area to go and check out when you have some extra time. The Wuyou Temple is more or less peaceful and actually worth visiting for sure, in my humble opinion. Those gardens tend to be quiet and give you a nice place just to walk through or relax if that is on your mind. Check all of those smaller locations; gives you more sense of the location in general and that is pretty useful!

Coming Back To Chengdu

Once you see enough of the Giant Buddha, your personal transfer will make coming back that easy! After setting everything with your driver you had from earlier in the day, meet up where you stepped out originally; that makes getting back to Chengdu rather effortless, really. Honestly, sitting in that car that takes you back is ideal at the end of the day; after those stairs, it’s really welcome.

On the ride back, you actually can reflect a bit on everything you just did. Personally, looking back through my pictures on the travel made the ride just pass that bit quicker! Getting door-to-door service back actually can be super good after your exploration day. You don’t need to stress about how to get your hotel and can instead start thinking what spice-heavy dishes you should have back in Chengdu – since the car service is already going to handle getting you back, and it’s something a group that’s bigger, especially, will appreciate that is very convenient to see! In total, for me, having the personal driver not only gets you somewhere better but really keeps your mind centered a lot more so the day won’t feel stressful, at all.