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Leshan

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Leshan is a major prefecture-level city located in China. It sits in central Sichuan Province. The city is positioned on the southwestern edge of the Sichuan Basin.

Panorama of Leshan 03.2025
Panorama of Leshan 03.2025

It is located in a transition zone between the basin and the southwestern mountainous area. This location is where the Dadu, Min, and Qing Yi rivers meet. This makes the area very rich in water resources. The city serves as a regional center within the southern Chengdu Economic Zone. It acts as a vital transportation hub and port city for southwestern China.

The geography of Leshan is diverse and varied. The land consists of mountains, hills, and Pingba, which is a type of flat land. The terrain generally trends high in the southwest and low in the northeast. This creates a wide difference in elevation across the region. The climate is a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate, known scientifically as Cwa. This means the weather is largely mild and humid. Winters are short, mild, and dry. Summers are long, hot, and humid. More than 70% of the annual rainfall occurs between June and September.

Emei shan view
Emei shan view

Leshan has a history that spans thousands of years. Written records trace the area back to approximately 700 BC during the Kai Ming dynasty. During the Spring and Autumn period, the Ba people migrated from western Hubei. They settled at the confluence of the rivers and established a tribal center. Over time, the region's administration changed many times. It was part of Nan'an County during the Qin and Han dynasties. Later, it was part of Jiazhou during the Tang dynasty. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Leshan grew into a massive urban center. It became the third-largest city in Sichuan, following Chengdu and Chongqing.

The 20th century brought significant changes to the city. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Leshan became a place of refuge. The Nationalist government moved treasures from Beijing's Forbidden City to Leshan. These artifacts were stored there from July 1939 until March 1947. Many educational institutions also relocated to the area during this conflict. Wuhan University and Sichuan University both operated in Leshan for a time. The National Central Academy of Arts and Crafts was also established at Renjiaba. These movements turned the city into a temporary center for culture and learning.

Today, Leshan is famous for its remarkable cultural and natural sites. The Mount Emei Scenic Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Emei shan view
Emei shan view

This area includes the Leshan Giant Buddha. This statue is the largest stone-carved Buddha in the entire world.

Leshan Giant Buddha (2)
Leshan Giant Buddha (2)

Nearby, the Oriental Buddha Park features thousands of Buddha reproductions. The city is also known for its unique Leshan dialect. This dialect is distinct from other Sichuan dialects because it retains the "entering tone." This is a specific type of classical Chinese pronunciation that most other local dialects have lost.

The food culture in Leshan is a major part of its identity. The city is part of the broader Sichuan cuisine family. It is particularly famous for its variety of street foods. One well-known specialty is Boboji, which is skewered chicken in a chili broth.

Red Oil Bobo-Chicken
Red Oil Bobo-Chicken

Other popular foods include Malatang, which is a spicy numbing hot pot bowl. Visitors also eat Qianwei Bobing, which are thin pancakes with fillings. Other local treats include smoked duck and silken tofu custard broth. This rich culinary tradition draws many people to the city.

Leshan is also an important center for industry and energy. The city has massive water resources totaling 85.51 billion cubic meters. This water is used for hydropower at large stations. The Gongzui hydropower station produces 700,000 kW of power. The Tongjiezi hydropower station produces 600,000 kW. The ground also holds rich mineral reserves. These include natural gas, limestone, and phosphorus. Modern infrastructure supports this growth. The G0512 Chengdu–Leshan Expressway was finished in 2000. The Leshan Railway Station serves as a comprehensive hub for trains, buses, and taxis.

Leshan Sichuan China-Old bridge-02
Leshan Sichuan China-Old bridge-02
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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:Leshan Sichuan China-Old bridge-02.jpg
Leshan Sichuan China-Old bridge-02.jpg
File:Leshan Giant Buddha (2).jpg
Leshan Giant Buddha (2).jpg
File:Emei shan view.jpg
Emei shan view.jpg
File:Red Oil Bobo-Chicken.jpg
Red Oil Bobo-Chicken.jpg
File:Panorama of Leshan 03.2025.jpg
Panorama of Leshan 03.2025.jpg
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