Leshan is located in the southwest of Sichuan Province, about 180km from Chengdu and 20km to Mount E'mei. It covers 20 thousand square kilometers and has a population of 6.59 million.
Leshan is a cultural city with a history of more than 3000 years and a modern city as well. Because of its rapid development most of the old buildings have been torn down but fortunately the Giant Buddha remains intact. It attracts millions of visitors from home and abroad.
Leshan is rich in forest and water energy resources. Mineral deposits include rock salt, bittern, limestone, and saltpeter.
Leshan is one of the major producers of salt and a large hydropower base in the southwest of China. The Gongzui hydropower station on the Dadu River is a regional power grid. The chief farming products include rice, grapes, oranges, tea, silkworm cocoons, and pigs.
Transportation to Leshan City is very convenient. The Chengdu-Kunming Railway runs through Leshan. Ferries sail from Leshan to Yibin on the Min River.
Leshan has many scenic and historical spots such as the Mount E'mei and Leshan Giant Buddha, the small Three Gorges of the Min River, the Black Dragon Pond, and the Sansu Clan Hall. Many of historical relics have been added to the World Natural and Cultural Heritage List.
Weather
Generally speaking, the climate of Leshan is mild. It falls within the temperate zone. There is no freezing winter or sweltering summer, and the average annual temperature is between 16.4 and 17.5 Celsius. The hours of yearly sunshine are 1119.7 while the frost-free period lasts 334.5 days. The annual normal rainfall comes to 1390.6mm. However, there are still clear distinctions between the four seasons. Most precipitation comes during spring and autumn, and this account for about 80 percent of a year's total. As a result, Leshan has a successful agricultural base as well as a vibrant tourism industry. Leshan produce tremendous agricultural products such as rice, seasonal fruits and poultry.
