Day 100: Emai Shan to Leshan to Chengdu - Mon 3 Jun 2013

Day 100: Emai Shan to Leshan to Chengdu - Mon 3 Jun
Ugh- smoggy morning, itchy irritated eyes. Bright sun-glare reflecting off smog.  Emei Shan and Leshan cities so big they morph into each other, police on every intersection to ensure motorists comply with lights. Pedestrians take their life in their hands at crossings, some motorists stopping, others whizzing through. Came within millimetres of vehicle that not only turned in front of traffic to get into side lane but came at us on angle. 

Grateful to turn out of traffic towards UNESCO World Heritage Leshan Giant Buddha, air so full of smog we wondered how much we’d see. The Buddha is a 71m stone statue, facing Mount Emei, and carved out of a cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers. It was built during the Tang Dynasty, led by a Chinese monk who hoped that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters that plagued the shipping vessels traveling down the river. 

 









 

 












We opted for the boat cruise rather than climb more stairs, but our photos were extremely disappointing taken into the sun.  

 

 

 

Back on road, found water and scored a free car wash from interested attendants –who naturally all trooped inside to have a look (many oohs and ahas!!) Took freeway to Chengdu, stopping at WalMart supermarket on way. Booked into City Inn - excited to see pandas tomorrow - need to make early start to catch them when most active. Met Lisa and Abby from NAVO, gave us all gifts of chopstick and fish holder set. Too tired and dirty to go out to dinner with them though, everyone just wanted check-in and shower. Ended up at nearby Pizza Hut – more upmarket than ones in Oz with wine, steak and seafood options – oh, and waxberry juice!!