Leshan

Lore & Background

During the early Spring and Autumn period, the Ba people, led by Kai Ming Bie Ling, migrated from western Hubei and settled at the confluence of the three rivers, establishing a tribal center. From the Qin and Han dynasties through to the Wei and Jin dynasties, the central government set up Nan'an County, laying the foundation for the present-day Leshan region. After the Sui unification, Leshan was part of Meishan Prefecture, and during the Tang dynasty's Zhenguan reign, it became part of Jiazhou. In the Southern Song, Jiazhou was elevated to a prefecture and renamed Jiading Prefecture, marking the first use of the name 'Jiading.' During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Leshan's status rose to a province, becoming the third-largest city in Sichuan after Chengdu and Chongqing.

Reader's Guide

Leshan's significance stems from its role as a historical and cultural hub in southern Sichuan, home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest stone-carved buddha in the world. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Leshan sheltered treasures from Beijing's Forbidden City and hosted relocated institutions such as Wuhan University. Its distinct dialect, which retains the entering tone of classical Chinese, sets it apart from other Sichuan dialects. Leshan's food culture, featuring street foods like malatang, boboji, and tianpiya, contributes to its regional identity. The city's transportation infrastructure, including the Chengdu–Leshan Expressway and Leshan Railway Station, supports its role as a regional center.

Did You Know?

• The Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone-carved buddha in the world.
• The Leshan dialect retains the entering tone, which most Sichuan dialects and Mandarin no longer use.