Sights in Mount Emei

Baoguo Temple, the largest temple in Mount Emei, serves as the gateway to the mountain and the center of Buddhist activity. Built during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, Baoguo Temple was originally named Huizong Hall. It was constructed by Taoist Mingguang to the right of Fuhu Temple, symbolizing the convergence of the Three Religions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. It was later relocated to its current location in the early Qing Dynasty and rebuilt in the ninth year of the Shunzhi reign. In the 42nd year of the Kangxi reign (1703 AD), the temple was renamed "Baoguo Temple" with the inscription "Baoguo Temple," reflecting the meaning of "repaying the Lord's kindness" in the "Four Kindnesses and Four Repayments" verse.

The "Shengji Evening Bell" pavilion, located on Fenghuang Fort across from Baoguo Temple, is an octagonal, pointed-stem bell pavilion built to house and maintain the large bronze bell removed from Shengji Temple. Cast by Master Biechuan during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, it is the largest bell on the mountain and is known as the "Bell King of Bashu." Surrounded by towering cypresses and a forest of ancient stele inscribed with over a hundred triceratops, the bell seamlessly blends with the ancient and majestic bell, creating a harmonious blend of natural and cultural beauty.

The "Famous Mountain Under Heaven" archway serves as the main entrance to Mount Emei and was rebuilt in April 1993. The inscription "Famous Mountain Under Heaven" on the front was written by Guo Moruo in 1959; the four characters "Buddhist Holy Land" on the back were written by Zhao Puchu, President of the Buddhist Association of China. On the left side of the archway are three large and small natural stones, the largest of which is over 5 meters tall and inscribed with the characters "Mount Emei" in calligraphy by Su Dongpo of the Song Dynasty.

The Emeishan Museum is elegantly situated on the shores of Phoenix Lake in the Feng Scenic Area of ​​Baoguo Temple. The museum comprises six halls: a cinema, a geology hall, a biology hall, a history and culture hall, a Buddhist art hall, and a hall of ancient calligraphy and paintings. The cinema utilizes high-tech technology to depict the rise and fall of Mount Emei over the past 800 million years. The geology hall showcases the ancient and remarkable geological and geomorphological evolution of Mount Emei. The biology hall features six ecological landscape displays, vividly showcasing the wonders of Mount Emei's biological wonders. The history and culture hall showcases the historical and cultural relics of the diligence, wisdom, and hard work of the ancestors of Mount Emei. The Buddhist art hall displays artistic treasures from this sacred Buddhist site. The ancient calligraphy and painting hall showcases calligraphy works left by literati and poets throughout the ages who visited Mount Emei. Adjacent to the museum is a visitor information center, offering free information on various aspects of the Mount Emei scenic area.

The entire Fuhu Temple is nestled in dense forest, earning it the nickname "Dense Forest Hidden Tiger." Yet, remarkably, the temple's roof remains free of fallen leaves year-round. Here, you'll also find the Bujin Forest, one of Mount Emei's three great gardens; the Huayan Pagoda, the largest bronze pagoda in China; and the Arhat Hall, the largest on the mountain. Fuhu Temple is located 1 kilometer from Baoguo Temple, at the confluence of the Yoga River and Tiger Creek. At an altitude of 630 meters, it is the largest nunnery in Mount Emei.

Shuangqiao Qingyin is one of the ten traditional scenic spots of Mount Emei. Landscape architects call it a poem with sound and a three-dimensional painting.

Located beneath Qingyin Pavilion, Shuangfei Bridge, shaped like a rainbow, spans the sky. "Double Bridge" is the collective name for two small bridges. Below them lie two rivers: the Heilongjiang River, originating in Jiulao Cave, and the Bailongjiang River, originating in Leidongping. The confluence of these two rivers is known as Fenghuangzui. Above it stands the Niuxin Pavilion. Beneath the pavilion stands a massive, glossy, black stone, approximately two meters high. Its shape, resembling an ox's heart, earns it the name Niuxin Stone. The splashing of water on the stone creates a splashing sound reminiscent of the melodies of a guqin (Chinese zither), hence the name "Double Bridges Clear Sound."

Qingyin Pavilion, perched at the foot of Niuxinling Mountain, 710 meters above sea level, is one of the eight major temples of Mount Emei. It connects to Hongchunping and Xianfeng Temple on the left, and to Bailong Cave and Wannian Temple on the right. It is a must-see for pilgrims and sightseeing. Despite its small size, the temple is nestled in a strategic position, surrounded by mountains and water, offering stunning scenery. It is a model of Chinese Buddhist garden architecture. Due to the limited terrain, Qingyin Pavilion has only one hall, dedicated to the Three Sages of the Huayan Sutra: Sakyamuni Buddha in the center, Manjushri Bodhisattva on the left, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva on the right.

Yixiantian combines the majestic beauty of a canyon with the cool, pure beauty of spring water. Upon entering the canyon, one gazes upwards, revealing sheer cliffs on either side, slanting into the sky and rising over 200 meters high, like a mountain split open by a sharp axe. Through the dense vines, branches, and leaf tips, a strip of blue sky emerges, about six meters wide and only three meters at its narrowest point, barely wide enough for two people to pass sideways.

Located near the "One Line of Sky" at the foot of Hongchunping and above Qingyin Pavilion, the Ecological Monkey Area is currently the largest natural wild monkey area in China, covering approximately 10 square kilometers. Within the area, plank roads, pavilions, and cable bridges are conveniently located for visitors to observe and interact with the monkeys. The Emeishan monkeys, the spirits of Mount Emei, are playful, adorable, and remarkably human, making them a vibrant part of Mount Emei's natural landscape.

Hongchunping, renowned for its tranquility and elegance, is nestled among the peaks of Zhongshan Mountain, at an altitude of 1,120 meters, 6 kilometers from Qingyin Pavilion. With its deep forests, tranquil temples, clear waters, and refreshing air, it is a popular summer retreat in the mountains. Hongchunping's three main attractions are the "Hongchun Morning Rain," the "Double Hundred Character Couplet," and the wood-carved "Thousand Buddha Lotus Lantern."

Hongchun Morning Rain: One of the ten traditional scenic spots of Mount Emei. Nestled among mountains and forests, the temple boasts fresh air. On hot summer mornings, a gentle "rain" often falls onto the courtyard, shrouding the surrounding forest in a hazy mist, accompanied by the sound of gradual rain. This is known as "Hongchun Morning Rain."

Xianfeng Temple, also known as Xianfeng Zen Monastery, is one of the eight major temples on Mount Emei, standing at an altitude of 1,725 ​​meters. It was expanded in 1612, the 40th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty. It was destroyed by fire in the late Ming Dynasty and rebuilt during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty. The temple's gate faces Huayan Peak. Following the path outside the temple, you'll find a hexagonal pavilion with stone pillars, known as Tianhuang Terrace. From here, you can admire the fertile Emei Plain.

Jiulao Xianfu, the collective name for Xianfeng Temple and Jiulao Cave, is one of the ten traditional scenic spots of Mount Emei. According to legend, Jiulao Cave was the gathering place of immortals and the place where Zhao Gongming, the God of Wealth, practiced.

Jiulao Cave is located at the foot of Jiulao Peak, on the hillside to the right of Xianfeng Temple, at an altitude of 1,752 meters. Over 1,500 meters long, geological changes have created the largest underground palace on Mount Emei. The entrance is triangular and approximately 4 meters high. From inside, the outline of the cave resembles a statue of an old Taoist priest.

Xixiangchi, one of Mount Emei's eight famous temples, is located on Zuantianpo, at an altitude of 2,070 meters. Originally named "Chuxiting," it symbolizes the joy visitors felt when they arrived, believing they had reached the summit. In reality, it's still 13 kilometers from the Golden Summit. This high-altitude, cold region is subject to heavy rain and snow, resulting in the short halls and iron roofs.

Moonlight Over Elephant Pond at Night—one of Mount Emei's ten traditional scenic spots—is the best place to admire the moon. The air here is clear, clouds hang low beneath our feet, and every night when the moon is high in the sky, its radiance is boundless. Inspired by this captivating moonlight, the great poet Li Bai coined the timeless verse: "The autumn moon over Mount Emei is half full, its shadow cast in the flowing Pingqiang River. Setting out from Qingxi at night towards the Three Gorges, I miss you, but I haven't seen you in Yuzhou."

Leidongping, located on Lianwangpo, between Baiyun Pavilion and Jieyin Hall, stands at an altitude of 2,430 meters. The high mountains and cold winds make it renowned for its unique and dangerous terrain. Because the snow cover lasts longer than at Jinding, and the snow quality and slopes are excellent, a ski resort has been developed nearby. The stretch of mountain road from Leidongping to Jieyin Hall is home to a concentration of Emei's alpine azaleas. In early summer, the vibrant colors are at their peak. At the foot of Leidongping, a 450-year-old "Beauty Azalea" stands 13 meters tall with a 2.7-meter diameter at breast height, earning it the nickname "Azalea Queen."

Thunder Cave Smoke and Clouds—a remarkable meteorological spectacle in the high and cold regions of Mount Emei. After a night of rain, misty clouds rise from the vast ravine, swaying wildly in the unpredictable mountain breeze, creating a myriad of magical experiences. Legend has it that this place is only for quiet contemplation, and loud laughter is strictly prohibited, lest one anger the Thunder God, causing thunder to erupt from beneath the rocks.

Golden Summit, the second highest peak in Mount Emei, stands at 3,077 meters. Atop a small plain, a bronze temple once stood, shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight, hence the name Golden Summit. Climbing the summit, one feels a sense of overwhelming grandeur. Panoramic views encompass the Chengdu Plain, with its countless mountains and ridges undulating like waves. The Minjiang River, Qingyi River, Dadu River, Wawu Mountain, and Gongga Mountain are all clearly visible.

The Jieying Hall is located at the foot of Qilipo, at an altitude of 2,540 meters. Originally a place to accommodate and feed pilgrims, the hall is flanked by a passenger cableway that leads to the Golden Summit. The 1.5-kilometer journey from Leidongping to the Jieying Hall is accessible via two routes: a main road to the right, accessible directly by car, and a winding, left-hand path, commonly known as the "Eighty-Four Bends."

Huazang Temple, officially known as Yongming Huazang Temple, is located on the Golden Summit of Mount Emei, at an altitude of 3,077 meters. The Golden Hall, one of the temple's highest halls, is commonly known as the Golden Summit (the Golden Summit refers not only to the peak but also to the temple and its renowned Golden Hall).

The Ten-Directions Samantabhadra Statue is the center of the Golden Summit. It is the tallest golden Buddha in the world and also the first artistic form of the Ten-Directions Samantabhadra Statue.

The statue is a bronze and gilded Buddha statue, 48 meters high (representing the 48 wishes of Amitabha Buddha) and weighs 660 tons.

The ten heads of Samantabhadra are arranged in three tiers, each with a different expression, representing the ten mental states of the human mind. On the elephant's back, the first tier features the four heads and two-faced figures of Samantabhadra; the second tier features the four heads of Samantabhadra; and the top tier features the front and back heads of Samantabhadra. Within the statue complex is a 484-square-meter central Buddhist hall, housing a bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha surrounded by white marble Buddha statues.

Huayanding is a temple located at the peak of the middle section of Mount Emei, on Jiulinggang, at an altitude of 1,914 meters. Surrounded by mountains, it offers expansive views, including sea of ​​clouds, sunrise, Golden Summit, Jiulao Cave, Hongchunping, Wannian Temple, and other mountain scenery. On clear days, you can even see Emei City, earning it the nickname "Little Golden Summit."

Huayan Peak, with its circumference stretching dozens of miles, is the largest peak among the karst peaks of the mountain. Shrouded in mist and clouds, its summit, like a spring bamboo shoot, peeks out from the clouds. Most of Mount Emei's clouds are above 2,000 meters. From Huayan Peak, one feels like wandering amidst the mist, feeling as if entering a fairyland.

Wannian Temple is one of the eight major temples in Mount Emei. It is located at the foot of Guanxin Ridge, overlooking Daping, Niuxin Temples and Shisun and Bomeng Peaks. It is 1,020 meters above sea level and is famous for the bronze statue of Samantabhadra enshrined there.

The Beamless Brick Hall, the second hall of Wannian Temple, is also known as the Puxian Hall. Built entirely of brick, without a single wooden column or tile, this majestic hall embodies the architectural style of ancient India. Its design is rooted in the ancient cosmological concept of a round earth and a square sky. Over the past 400 years, this beamless brick hall has survived 18 earthquakes, remaining unscathed and is considered a miracle in the history of ancient Chinese architecture.

Baishui Autumn Breeze: One of the ten traditional scenic spots of Mount Emei. During the crisp autumn weather, red leaves outside the temple bloom, welcoming the arrival of autumn; the emerald waters of Baishui Pond ripple, frogs croak like a harp, and the fragrance of osmanthus wafts through the air.

Wanfoding, the highest peak in Mount Emei, stands at 3,099 meters above sea level. Its name, meaning "the abode of Samantabhadra, surrounded by ten thousand Buddhas," means "the place where ten thousand Buddhas dwell." The scenic area boasts towering ancient trees, numerous birds and animals, and a well-preserved pristine landscape. The scenery changes throughout the year: in spring, see the azaleas, in summer, hear the birdsong, in autumn, admire the crimson leaves, and in winter, admire the jade trees. Attractions include the Wanfo Pavilion, the Alpine Azalea Forest, the Black Bear Valley, and the Immortal Turning Back.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage: One of the Ten New Scenic Spots of Mount Emei. Standing atop Mount Emei, facing the golden statues of Samantabhadra on all four sides, the sound of the bells from the Ten Thousand Buddha Pavilion rings the gate to the Pure Land, conveying your best wishes. (Viewing hours: 9:00-10:00, 15:00-16:00)