Leshan is close to the mountain region of the southwest and lies along the alluvial plains of a number of rivers which include the Min, Jinsha, Qingyi, and Yangzi. The climate is mild with winter temperatures rarely averaging 7° C (45° F) and summer temperatures averaging a humid 26° C (79° F).

Visitors to Leshan are usually seeking some of the sites of Buddhist pilgrimages and great natural beauty which are found nearby including: Leshan’s Giant Buddha, Emei Shan, the Sansu Hall of Northern Song dynasty, etc. Shawan township in the southwest of the city is the hometown of Guo Moruo, the late famous writer, historian and social activist.