Written by Clementine |
Mount Emei, in the southwest of sichuan province, is located at the southwest edge of the sichuan basin, 168 km to Chengdu and 37 km to Leshan, two popular tourist cities in Sichuan province. Rich in cultural heritage, it is the holy land of Chinese Buddhism, which is known as the “Buddhist paradise”, and was listed as one of the world’s cultural and natural heritage by UNESCO.
Fast Facts about Mount Emei
- Location:Huangwan Town, Emeishan City, Leshan City, Sichuan Province
- Chinese name: 峨眉山(Emei)
- Height:3099 meters
- Tickets: The admission fee is 160 yuan from Jan. 16th to Dec. 14th, and 110 yuan from Dec. 15th to Jan. 15th
- Opening hours: 06:00-18:30 for May 1stto October 7th, and 07:00-17:30 for October 8th to April 30th next year
- Time needed:1-3 days
- Best time to go: Spring & Autumn
Why Visit？
Mount Emei is the general name of da’e, Mt.er’e and Mt.san’e. With the steep terrain and charming scenery, it is known as the “the most beautiful mountain in China”. Due to its height and geographical location, the scenery here is changeable and different from the mountain top to the bottom. Nowadays, Mount Emei scenic area has become a new multi-functional complex scenic area integrating recreation, health, culture, entertainment, sightseeing and delicious food.
Top Attractions & Temples on Mount Emei
Golden Summit
Golden Summit is the symbol of Mount Emei, and there is a saying that “you haven’t been to Mt. Emei if you haven’t seen the Golden Summit”. A 48-meter-high golden statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva stands on the middle of golden summit for people to worship, which is also regarded as the landmark of Mount Emei.
Baoguo Temple
Baoguo Temple is at the foot of Emei Mountain, the first temple on the mountain. Its architecture is immense and grand, with red walls and green tiles, flying eaves and interlocking brackets. Once you enter the temple, you will be embraced by the towering old trees and peaceful and harmonious sentiments.
Qingyin Pavilion
At the foot of Niuxin Ridge, Qingyin Pavilion is one of Mount Emei’s most famous scenic spots. The region is known for its crystal waters and beautiful landscape. Two clear streams merge in front of the pavilion and splash against a rock, producing a tinkling sound.
First-Sky Pass
One of the famous natural wonders of Mount Emei is first-sky pass. As you walk along the actual plank path, you can look over your shoulder and see the sky pinched into a thin line, beams of sunlight streaming through the cracks and forming columns of golden light.
Top things to do
Cultural exploration
Mount Emei is a renowned Buddhist sacred site in China and a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site. It is famous for an integration of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, martial arts, tea culture, etc. Here, the natural scenery and humanistic spirit complement each other, forming a unique cultural treasure that draws countless visitors to explore.
Hiking and trekking
Hiking Mount Emei is rather attractive for many hikers. It is also a spiritual and physical challenge, with mist-shrouded forests, ancient temples, and cheeky monkeys accompaning your climb. Whether you choose the easy route or the tough one, each step reveals breathtaking vistas.
- Half-day route:Baoguo Temple – Fuhu Temple – Leiyin Temple – Chunyang Hall – Shenshui Pavilion – Zhongfeng Temple – Guangfu Temple – Qingyin Pavilion – Wuxian Ridge.
- Two-day route: Baoguo Temple – Wannian Parking Lot – Wannian Temple – Xixin Hall – Chudian – Huayan Peak – Jiuling Ridge – Xixiang Pond – Leidongping – Jieyin Hall – Golden Summit.
- Three-day route:Baoguo Temple – Wuxian Ridge – Qingyin Pavilion – First-Sky Pass – Emei Mountain Monkey Area – Hongchunping – Tianchi Peak – Xianfeng Temple (Jiu Lao Cave) – Xixiang Pond – Leidongping – Jieyin Hall – Golden Summit.
Note: Climbing Mount Emei on foot may takes 2-3 days.
Relaxing with the Hotspring
Mount Emei is famous for its rare radon hot springs, which can stimulate the contraction and expansion of skin blood vessels, contributing to regulate cardiovascular functions. Well, imagine relaxing in a hot spring after a full day of hiking. That enables your sore feet and tired body to be completely refreshed.
Enjoying the Breathtaking Landscape
“A mountain consists of all four seasons simultaneously, with weather changing every ten miles.” This is what the Chinese acestors said about Mt. Emei. How beautiful and how unique Mount Emei is, you will understand once you visit.
- Emei Sacred Lights: On dark, moonless evenings on the Golden Summit, you can see lights called Sacred Lights or Buddha Lights. Below the Precipice Rock, floating green light orbs often appear, starting from one or two points and gradually forming thousands of points, twinkling like stars and flickering in the dark valley. In ancient times, this phenomenon was praised as “ten thousand lamps shining towards Samantabhadra.”
- Emei Sunrise:The sunrise at the Golden Summit of Mount Emei is an imminent and majestic sight. As the sun rises in the east, the sky is filled with rosy clouds, and countless rays of golden light shine upon the earth. From top to bottom, Mount Emei seems to slowly put on a golden robe, revealing its perdition pride.
Best Time to Visit
For sightseeing, the best time is Spring and Autumn. During these months, the weather in Emei Mountain is cool and scenery is remarkable. The two seasons are also suitable for Chengdu trips, since the summer in Chengdu can be really hot.
How to Get to
- Bus:Emei City Bus Station: Take bus routes 1 or 7 to Huangwan Station, and bus route 5 to Fuhu Temple. Routes 7 and 5 pass through the Baoguosi Tourism Transport Center.
- Emei Mountain High-Speed Rail Station Bus: Take bus route 12 to Fuhu Temple (passing through Baoguosi Tourism Transport Center).
- Taxi:The base fare for a taxi in Emei City is 5 RMB for the first 2 kilometers (with a 30% nighttime surcharge). The fare is meter-based.
- Rickshaw: A unique transportation option in Emei City. It is safe, inexpensive, and comfortable. The fare varies from 2 to 10 RMB depending on the distance.
Get to Mt. Emei From Chengdu
Mount Emei is only 200 km from downtown Chengdu, so visitors like to take a side trip to Emei Mountain when traveling Chengdu.
- Bus:Visitors can take long-distance bus to Mt. Emei Tourism Bus Center from Chengdu at the Xinnanmen Bus Station, which may take about 3 hours. The operation time for the bus station is 07:20-19:35.
- High-speed Train: Visitors can take Chengdu-Leshan-Emeishan Intercity High-Speed Train or Shuangliu Airport – Emeishan Train and get off at Emeishan(Mt.Emei) Station, then take Bus No.8, tourism bus or car to Mt. Emei scenic area.
Where to Stay
Huangwan Town (foot of the mountain), Leidongping (mid-mountain), and Jinding (mountaintop) are the three recommended places to stay.
Huangwan Town
It is suited for family trips. Thehotels and guest houses are carefully decorated, making it a good place for relaxation. When you finish climbing the mountain, you can stay at the foothills to rest.
Leidongping
For family members who don’t want to climb, Leidongping is a good place to stay. Plus, charges at Leidongping are quite low, and it is close to Jinding, making it an ideal choice for those on a budget.
Jinding
There are three hotels on Jinding. For those with a sufficient budget, staying at Jinding is a good choice (choose based on your budget). It’s convenient for watching the sunrise the next morning.
FAQs about Mt. Emei
Can Foreigners Go to Mount Emei?
Foreigners are welcome to visit Mount Emei. The scenic area of Mount Emei has optimized its payment services, allowing tourists from all over the world to use foreign cards to make payments within the area, including for ticket purchases, dining, and accommodation.
How Many Steps Does Mount Emei Take?
Around 60,000 – the most commonly cited figure.
Do I Need A Cable Car to Get Up the Mountain?
Cable car is a very time-saving and effortless option. Inside Mount Emei Scenic Area, there are two cable cars, namely, the Wannian Temple Cable Car and the Golden Summit Cable Car.
Price |
Time taken |
Route |
|
Wannian Cable Car (Opening Time: 07:30-18:00) |
110 yuan (Round Trip) |
5 minutes one way |
Wannian Parking Lot – Wannian Temple |
Golden Summit Cable Car (Opening Time: 07:00-18:00) |
120 yuan (Round Trip); 65 yuan (Upper Trip); 55 yuan (Lower Trip) |
3 minutes one way |
Jieyin Hall – the Golden Summit |
What to Pack for A Mt. Emei tour?
ID card, passport, cash, power bank. It is recommended to wear socks, raincoats, windbreakers, and sports shoes. If possible, bring some water and bread also, as well as a first-aid kit in case of emergencies like altitude sickness.
Nearby Attractions
- Leshan Giant Buddha:Located 31 kilometers away from Mount Emei. It is also called the Lingyun Giant Buddha, carved into the riverside cliffs of Mount Lingyun.
- Liujiang Ancient Town: A town nestled against mountains and beside water, with a humid climate. It is often enveloped in a light misty rain throughout the year, earning it the beautiful nickname “Smoky Rain Liujiang.”
