Leshan
From ChinaTravelGuide
Southwest China (西南) » Sichuan (四川) » Leshan (乐山)
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[edit] Overview
Leshan， whose name literally means "happy mountain" is a prefecture-level city located in the Sichuan province of the People's Republic of China. Leshan is on the southwestern fringe of the Red Basin in southern Sichuan, about 120 km from Chengdu.
The administrative area of Leshan is 12,827 sq km. Over 60 percent of the region is mountainous.
[edit] History
[edit] Weather
The annual average temperature in Leshan is 17.8 degrees Celsius, with an average low of 8.2 degrees Celsius in January and an average high of 25.9 degrees in August. The mean annual precipitation is 1,062mm.
Current Conditions (2010-08-01 11:00:00, local time)
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Leshan |
Temp: 53°F (12°C) |
Leshan Weather Forecast
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[edit] Map
Click here to open Leshan map.
[edit] Photos
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[edit] Video
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[edit] Getting in & Getting out
[edit] By Air
[edit] By Train
The nearest train stations are in Emei and Jiajiang, both about forty minutes away by bus. These stations are on the Kunming-Xian railway line and this can be the cheapest way to reach Chengdu. :)
[edit] By Bus
Arrivals from Chengdu, Chongqing, Emei, Jiajiang, Kangding, Ya'an, Yibin, Zigong and most other surrounding towns and cities.
[edit] By Ship
[edit] Getting Around
[edit] By Public Bus
Buses are regular and uncrowded in Leshan. Most are fairly modern and charge ¥1 per journey which you normaly pay to the conductor. You may have to request your stop.
[edit] By Tour Bus
[edit] By Metro
[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car
During the day the first two kilometres are charged at ¥3 and after at the rate of ¥0.70/km. A fuel surcharge of ¥0.50 is currently added at the end of the journey and is explained by a white sticker in front of the front passenger seat. --from wikitravel.org
[edit] Attractions
The city of Leshan, 167 kilometers from Chengdu, is located at the confluence of three rivers -- the Minjaing, Qingyijiang, and Dadu. Dating back more than two thousand years, it has been a prosperous town with beautiful scenery attractive to common people and great writers and scholars alike. The towering Soaring to the Clouds Hill (Lingyunshan) about half a kilometer east of Leshan town is the site of many historical buildings, temples, and stone tablets with inscriptions and calligraphic works by celebrated writers over the dynasties. It is also the site of the world's largest stone statue of Buddha.
- Mount Emeishan
- Great Buddha of Leshan (Dafo, 大佛)
- Guo Moruo Memorial Museum (郭沫若纪念馆)
- Pagoda of Souls (Lingbao Ta, 灵宝塔)
- Rock Tombs (麻浩岩墓)
- Wuyou Temple (Wuyou Si, 乌尤寺)
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[edit] Mid Range
[edit] Luxury
[edit] Restaurants
Leshan is well-known for its bean-curd and sweet rice cake (洒琪玛 sǎqímǎ).
- Zhanggongqiao Jie - A fun and busy place to eat and drink at night.
Cuisine in Leshan is worthy of its home in Sichuan Province, known by many as the "Kingdom of Cooking." Among the city's many recommended foods are three popular fish dishes: Stewed Jiangtuan fish features tender meat (and few fish bones) braised in a mushroom and ham sauce; Dongpo Ink Fish (like Dongpo Rou, named after the poet Su Dongpo) is fried, giving the fish's skin a delectable crispiness; and Pearl Fish is prepared using a pigeon egg, which some say resembles a pearl.
As a snack, locals recommend Qiaojiao ("raising legs") Beef, which apparently gets its name from the jubilant, raised-leg action that the dish elicits from whoever tries it. For something sweet, try Ye'er Ba, which is a sticky rice dumping with a deliciously sweet center.
[edit] Shopping
[edit] Night Life & Entertainment
There are hundreds of teahouses in Leshan. The best are those outdoors; especially those along the banks of the Dadu and Min rivers and in Leshan's parks. All great places to play Majiang or Leshan's unique erqishi card game.
- 杨家老宅茶馆 (yángjiā lǎozhái cháguǎn) - 52 gǔlóu jiē (鼓楼街52号). 0833-2115000. Open Monday to Sunday. An atmospheric teahouse set within a cluster of old buildings and decorated with old photographs of Leshan and the Grand Buddha.
[edit] Sports & Recreation
- Browse the markets at wùyān jiē (婺嫣街) and xīngfā jiē (兴发街).
- Haitang Park (海棠公园 hǎitáng gōngyuán) - 520 hǎitáng lù（海棠路520号), Open 08:00-20:00.
- Laoxiaoding is the tallest hill within Leshan's old city limits. Now it is a pleasant park with pavillions and teahouses. From Moruo Square take the road heading north to its end and then along the winding uphill path. The park gate will be to your right.
[edit] Excursions & Day Trips
Possible destinations after Leshan include the following.
- Chengdu - Travel north on the ChengLe Expressway to the capital of Sichuan making stops at Meishan and Huanglongxi.
- Dafengding - Dafengding is a China National Nature Preservation Zone.
- Emei - Make the short journey west to see the famous Emei Shan and then take the train south towards Kunming or north towards Chengdu.
- Jiajiang - Visit the Thousand Buddha Cliff and then take the train south towards Kunming or north towards Chengdu.
- Kangding - Start your visit to western Sichuan from its capital.
- Shawan - Former Residence of Guo Morou and Meinufeng Stone Forest.
- Yibin - Famous for its distilleries!
- Zigong - Salt mines and a dinosaur museum!
