Xixiangchi

Located in the high mountain area of Mount Emei, a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, Xixiangchi (Xixiangchi) sits at an altitude of 2,070 meters. Surrounded by misty white clouds and towering ancient trees, under a bright autumn moon, all is hushed, the clear light is boundless, and gazing up at the stars feels like a celestial trance. "Xixiangchi Night Moon" is a famous scenic spot here. At night, the bright moon shines through the sky, its reflections filtering into the pool, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene where the water and sky merge into one.

Xixiangchi Temple in Mount Emei was designated as one of the National Key Temples by the State Council in 1983. Located on Zuantianpo, at an altitude of 2,070 meters, it was once a pavilion in the Ming Dynasty. It was called "Chuxi Pavilion" to encourage visitors to reach the summit, believing they were nearing the summit. However, the temple was still 15 kilometers away. Later, it was converted into a nunnery and named Chuxi Nunnery.

In 1699, the 38th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, Zen Master Xingneng (also known as the Old Man Hongchuan) expanded the temple into the "Tianhua Zen Temple." In 1736, during the early years of the reign of Emperor Qianlong, Monk Yuezheng renovated the roads in front of the temple, the Zuantian Slope, and the Luohan Slope behind it. He also reshaped the small pond in front of the temple into a hexagonal shape and placed a stone elephant beside it, in reference to the legend of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva washing an elephant. Legend has it that when Samantabhadra Bodhisattva rode an elephant, the white elephant bathed in the pool, hence the name "Xixiangchi." The temple now houses the Maitreya Hall, the Main Hall, the Guanyin Hall, the Sutra Library, and guest quarters.

The Xixiangchi where we stayed that night is famous for its sunrise and moonlit nights. It is worth a visit.

Xixiangchi is the best place to enjoy the moon in Mount Emei. Li Bai once saw the moon in Mount Emei and left behind the famous line: "The moon in Mount Emei is half a circle in autumn, and its shadow is reflected in the flowing water of Pingqiang River. At night, I set out from Qingxi to the Three Gorges, thinking of you and not seeing you in Yuzhou." We went there in broad daylight, so we missed the best season for moon viewing, autumn, but we can enjoy the snow.

After passing Xixiangchi, the road above is covered with snow.

The frozen Elephant Pond has fish swimming underwater, and the ice is very thin and will break if touched.

The monkeys in the Elephant Bathing Pool are also very lively, constantly climbing and swinging on the roof corridor.

This is the perfect spot for moon-viewing in Mount Emei. It's one of the ten most famous scenic spots in Emei, along with West Lake's "Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake." As the moon ascends to the sky, a bright moon is perfectly reflected in a hexagonal pond, a pool of clear spring water. The two moons face each other, creating a seamless blend of heaven and earth.

There is an open space above the archway of the Elephant Washing Pool, with a pool of water. There really is a cute little elephant taking a bath in the water. Could it be the mount of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva?

There are many monkeys in the Elephant Bathing Pool. In the evening, many monkeys ran into the courtyard and roof of the temple. What's more, they even peeped into other people's rooms, trying to find food. I heard that if they find food in your luggage, they may break into your room.

The Elephant Washing Pond is at a relatively high altitude, so the view is quite nice. Although it wasn't late, we were so tired that we decided to stay overnight. The temple has dormitories, both for singles and singles. A dormitory room for six is NT$50 per person, while a double room is NT$200 per room. It's quite a good deal, and each bed comes with an electric blanket. Given the damp and cold weather in the mountains, this couldn't be better.

The hydrangeas in Xixiangchi are very beautiful. Xixiangchi is located in a high mountain area, so the weather is perfect and the scenery is beautiful. Climb up and see far into the distance!

There are few people, the temple is quite old, there is a scenic spot called, Elephant Pool Night Moon, but it was not at night when I went there, so I probably didn’t see the beautiful scenery. Interested friends can stay at Xixiang Pool.

The Xixiang Pool is surrounded by misty white clouds and towering ancient trees. When the bright moon shines brightly in the clear autumn, all sounds are silent and the light is boundless. Looking up at the stars, you will feel as if you are floating in the air.

The scenery here at Xixiangchi is very beautiful. Xixiangchi is very large and has the style of a famous temple from a high vantage point. There are Buddhist halls, monks and temple accommodation. It would be great to stay here for ten days or half a month when you are old to enjoy the tranquility and self-cultivation.

The Elephant Washing Pool gives the impression of being seated in a grand hall, worshipped by thousands of mountains. This is mainly because it is so high and the area is so wide that rituals are often held there. It must have been a sanctuary for eminent monks in ancient times.

We started climbing Zuantianpo at 13:40 and finally saw you at Xixiangchi at 14:22. It took 42 minutes.

It was very foggy when I went there. There were many monkeys here, the buildings needed repairs, and there were not many people.

Mount Emei's Elephant Pool isn't located at the Golden Summit. Instead, you can take the cable car and walk down the mountain in about 10 minutes. The temple is incredibly quiet and secluded, nestled in the forest. If you have time, you can easily spend the night there.

Because we couldn't reach the expected destination that day, we chose to stay overnight at Xixiangchi. It was my first time staying in a temple. I heard the monks teaching at 7 o'clock in the evening, ate vegetarian noodles in the temple in the morning, and had the company of the monkeys of Mount Emei. It was a rare experience.

When I went there, I felt that the place was in a state of disrepair. There were few people and no maintenance. I hope it can be restored.

Xixiangchi is located in the Zhongshan District of Mount Emei, at an altitude of 2,200 meters. It is a must-see point when hiking to Mount Emei.

The best resting spot, whether going up or down the mountain, you should stop here and take in the scenery.

A must-go place for hiking. You can choose to stay here, take a shower, and have breakfast for 10 yuan per person.

We encountered a group of monkeys at the entrance of the Elephant Washing Pool, but escaped with no harm.

It is already quite high, with the clouds right behind you. It can be used as a transit station for mountain climbing to rest for a night before going up to the Golden Summit.

Monkeys often roam the area, begging for food from visitors. Xixiangchi boasts significant historical and cultural value, as well as abundant tourism resources. Specialties include Bamboo Leaf Green tea, Emeishan Monkey Head, Snow Mushroom Taro, and bamboo shoots. We stayed here for one night, about a third of the way to Golden Summit.

The fame of Xixiangchi comes from the "Elephant Pond Night Moon".

"A lone cloud on a stone glimpses the colors of the landscape, while the bright moon in the ivory pond reflects the Zen mind."

It is said that on a clear night, a bright moon is reflected in the pond in front of the temple, which is very quiet and beautiful.

Because Xixiangchi is at a high altitude and has a wide view, it is rated as the best place to watch the moon in Mount Emei. If you have plenty of time, staying here for a night is also a good choice.

Tour groups will not come here, and this is a place where you can truly experience the tranquility of Emei.

There's a legend that tells of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva riding a six-tusked white elephant along the main road to Mount Emei. When he reached the Elephant Washing Pool, the elephant, exhausted, took a bath there. However, the elephant in the pool had two tusks...

It's a small temple with not much to offer, but you can get free water. The wild monkeys are a key feature. They're incredibly numerous and will steal your belongings, and at your worst, you'll get scratched (I witnessed a passerby get attacked). Maybe it's better at night, but I didn't dare stay during the day.

This is also a place with a lot of monkeys, so be careful, they are a bit fierce.

Arriving at Xixiangchi is half the battle of the climb.

In fact, the scenery of this place is average. If it is not on your way, you don't need to go there specifically.

If it weren't for the monkeys, this place would be nice. Especially when the clouds and fog are thick, you can't see anything. Everything depends on fate.

Many hiking friends choose to stay here. If you are lucky, you can get up early the next day to see the panoramic sunrise. They have a great viewing platform with a wide view. We arrived at 9 o'clock, so we didn't see the sunrise, but we still had a good view of the mountains.

The Elephant Washing Pool in the snow is quite beautiful, but the monkeys on the road ahead of the pool are too wild. They snatched the food of our companions and the backpack of an aunt hidden in her coat. It's so wild. Three young men led the way and I stayed behind. The monkeys followed us all the way into the pool and were finally driven away by the staff.

We were at the last scenic spot. I was so tired that I had no strength left. I had to go to the last resting place, Leidongping.

It is said that this is where the Buddha bathed the elephant.

The scenery of Xixiangchi is really good. Maybe it is because the ground here is relatively high, so the view is very open.

The best viewing platform in the mountains, standing at the entrance of the temple, you can already feel the pleasure of overlooking all the mountains!

It was quite tiring to reach the Elephant Washing Pool. It was surrounded by mountains, the air was fresh, and there were occasional clouds and mist floating over the Elephant Washing Pool, which did not seem like being in the human world.

This is definitely a great place to take photos. It is on the other side of the temple road. Don't rush forward.

Thursday, June 6, 2013, 3:29 PM

The elephant bathing pool was frozen when I went there. There were a few little monkeys there. Tourists should pay attention to their bags. They are also pickpockets.

The scenery here is quite good, and you can find monkeys at any time. I like it here very much.

When I went there, it was all snowy, like a thousand miles of ice and a thousand miles of snow. It was all white. Maybe you can see farther in the summer.

When I arrived, it was foggy and I couldn't see anything. I guess I was in the clouds. If you hike up from Baoguo Temple, you will have achieved victory.

The most beautiful scenery was encountered here! Under the blue sky, a pure white baby elephant played in the water. The world was silent, with only the wind blowing. We passed by quickly because a group of monkeys chased us in the Elephant Washing Pool. But it was still a beautiful memory! Thank you, Samantabhadra, for allowing us to enjoy such a beautiful scenery!

Everyone should pay attention, there is a group of monkeys stationed here. Give them some food and have them leave immediately. Don't tease the monkeys. The monkeys here are very ferocious and attacks on people often occur. Safety first!

After passing Zuantianpo, we arrived at Xixiangchi. Vast swaths of mist drifted down the mountain, creating a truly spectacular sight! But what really impressed me most were the monkeys who reigned supreme in the temple—over a dozen of them! Some were jumping around on the rooftops, some were on the road outside the temple gate, and some were fighting—big and small, all looking for food. Can you tell from the pictures that this is a mountain scene?!

You can also stay there. There is a large rooftop where you can enjoy the view. It is really nice. The scenery here is particularly beautiful. The little white elephant is also very cute.

We arrived at the Elephant Washing Pool in the morning, which is said to be the place where Samantabhadra rested his elephant when he rode up the mountain.

The icicles on the roof of Xixiang Pool are so majestic!

Xixiangchi is a temple in Mount Emei. It is said that this was the place where the Buddha’s elephants bathed in the past. Now it provides accommodation for tourists. It is a very simple temple, and the main purpose is to provide accommodation. The accommodation conditions are OK, and there are many types of rooms. We stayed in a triple room, which cost 180 yuan, or 60 yuan per person, which is relatively cheap. Electric blankets and hot water are provided, as well as a bathhouse, but since Xixiangchi is already halfway up the mountain, the temperature is still relatively low. We were wearing thick clothes in Xixiangchi, so the bath was still a bit cold. People who are prone to colds are advised not to take a bath. My friend and I also brought instant noodles to soak in Xixiangchi. Given the high prices in Mount Emei, our instant noodles tasted especially delicious. Xixiangchi is in a very good location. We not only saw the full moon at Xixiangchi at night, but also the sunrise the next day. It is said that many people who climbed to the Golden Summit did not see it that day. We were really lucky.

Located in the high mountain area of Mount Emei, a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, Xixiangchi (Xixiangchi) sits at an altitude of 2,070 meters. Surrounded by misty white clouds and towering ancient trees, under a bright autumn moon, all is hushed, the clear light is boundless, and gazing up at the stars feels like a celestial trance. "Xixiangchi Night Moon" is a famous scenic spot here. At night, the bright moon shines through the sky, its reflections filtering into the pool, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene where the water and sky merge into one.

I have a really bad impression of this place. It brings tears to my eyes when I talk about it. It was said to be very beautiful and there were monkeys around, but there was nothing. It was also very shabby and had a weird smell. However, we happened to have a vegetarian meal there and it was pretty good!

This is the junction of the left and right routes of Mount Emei. There are large areas of alpine rhododendrons here, and the altitude is 2000m.

Continuing on, we arrived at the Elephant Washing Pond. Facing us was the mountain gate, inscribed with the words "Elephant Washing Pond." Several travelers chose to stay here. The Elephant Washing Pond is spacious and, I heard, perfect for enjoying the moonlight. Standing high above the pond, I couldn't help but marvel: if fog were to fall, the moonlight would transform it into a fairyland.

We have been climbing all day since this morning and are extremely tired. It is better for everyone to bring more water.

A must-see on the hiking trail! The Elephant Washing Pool is huge! Monkeys often hang out at the entrance! It's also a great rest stop! The hike up here is incredibly tiring! There's a pool inside the pool marked "Elephant Washing Pool"! There must be a legend about it, but unfortunately, there aren't many hikers, and there aren't any tour guides here to explain it. You can only enjoy the view. You'll need to learn more about its meaning when you return!

Xixiangchi Temple has accommodation and public bathrooms. If you feel tired during the climb, you can come here to refresh yourself. There are also many tourists who come here to stay every day.

When we reached the Elephant Washing Pool, we immediately felt closer to the Golden Summit and our pace became lighter.

I like this place very much, I think it is really beautiful!

A place where tourists who climb the mountain can take a break

The snow scenery here is very nice and there are many monkeys.

To get from Yuxian Temple to Xixiangchi, you have to go from one hilltop to another, first down the mountain road, and then up the mountain road. After climbing the steps all the way up from Jiulinggang, we finally reached Xixiangchi. As soon as we climbed up, we saw Wukong again. This should be a family of four, a father monkey, a mother monkey holding a baby monkey, and another little monkey. I saw a monk chanting Buddhist scriptures to the family. After chanting the Buddhist scriptures, the pair who climbed together also came up. At this time, the male monkey launched an attack and slowly approached. We saw that the situation was not right, and began to use the sticks in our hands to knock on the ground, and the monkey dared not approach. As soon as we put our schoolbag on the ground to get something, the monkey pounced on us quickly. After a fight, the bag was snatched back, and we formed a confrontation with the family, and quickly and carefully crossed Xixiangchi. There are many accommodations in Xixiangchi, and those who climb slowly can stay here.

After exiting the Elephant Washing Pool, we climbed up and began to enter the clouds and mist. The mountains and clouds were surrounded by mist, just like a fairyland.

We stopped to eat on the way up the mountain. When we were going down, we saw that the fog was very thick, and it seemed that the Elephant Washing Pool was sitting in the clouds. My fear of heights started to creep in, and my legs felt weak.

There is snow just above the Elephant Washing Pool, so those who wear non-slip shoes must buy crampons at the foot of the mountain or bring better ones with them.

Gradually you could see a lot of snow at Xixiangchi, and the road was mostly icy. It took almost three hours to climb from Xixiangchi to Leidongping.

If you can't climb to the Golden Summit on the same day, you can watch it here at Xixiangchi. There is a large platform here that is very suitable for watching the sunrise.

How did the "Xixiangchi" get its name? Wouldn't an elephant become as thin as a baby elephant if it climbed so high?

But no wonder the pool is so small...

The location, or elevation, of this place is quite good. I think it's right at the beginning of the cloud layer, or the sea of clouds you see from the Golden Summit. When we arrived, there were bursts of fairy air and a light mist. Coupled with the fact that there weren't many people in the temple at the time, it really felt like a thousand-year-old temple. There are monkeys here, but not many. We encountered a small one, and a fellow hiker gave it some food. The little monkey followed us for a while as we walked.

We finally arrived at Xixiangchi, which is a large temple. There were already many people in the temple waiting for guest rooms. We were very lucky to find a bed for 50 yuan per person. Although it was a bit simple, at least we didn’t have to sleep in the mountains.

I would like to remind everyone that it actually takes three or four hours to get to Leidongping from Xixiangchi, especially at night. The road is difficult to walk on and there are the famous 99 turns. If you really find it difficult, it is better to stay in Xixiangchi.

Mount Emei's Elephant Washing Pool is located halfway up the mountain. For hikers, it's a clear sign that you've reached the most point. Next to the house is a small pond, and a small white elephant in the water creates a unique feeling for those sweaty hikers.

It is located halfway up Mount Emei. If you walk from the bottom of the mountain to here, it will take most of the day. When you get here, you have basically climbed half of Mount Emei. Xixiangchi is actually like a temple and provides accommodation, but it is not a hotel. The price is not expensive. The cheapest one is 50 yuan per night, and more than ten people live in a big house, like a dormitory. The bathroom and other things are shared. The conditions are average. After all, it is a temple. There are also rooms that are a little more expensive and have slightly better conditions. Most of the people who stay here are pilgrims who go up the mountain to worship Buddha, or backpackers. Tourists with families rarely stay here. It is a resting place on the way up the mountain. The environment is very quiet, the scenery is beautiful, and it is very quiet at night. There are many monkeys in the courtyard of the temple. The monkeys in Mount Emei are all wild. Don't tease them. They will bite if you provoke them!

When we arrived at Xixiangchi, even though the altitude was quite high, there was still a lot of fog, visibility was very poor, and it was a bit cold.

After that, I walked briskly on the road to Xixiangchi. To be honest, I still don’t understand why it was so easy to walk on Zuantianpo. Is it because I was in a good mood or is there something wrong with the map?

We arrived at the majestic Elephant Washing Pond. This was another temple that truly astonished me. Located at the top of a high mountain, it offers a panoramic view of the surroundings, a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.

The halls are small and covered with lead sheets, housing the Maitreya Hall, the Main Hall, and the Guanyin Hall. I wandered around and paid my respects. The Elephant Washing Pond, situated high above, offers a breathtaking view, a unique feature among the various temples.

After a long walk, I finally saw the Elephant Washing Pool, one of the legendary Ten Scenic Spots of Mount Emei. The photo below is actually the back entrance to the pool, which is essential for both the ascent and descent. Entering it opens into a large open space with a good view, considering it's 2,070 meters. It's said that the pool was once called the Hall of First Joy, as reaching it signaled the approach to the summit. However, as I was descending, I wasn't particularly thrilled; it simply meant I still had a long way to go.

Xixiangchi is also known as Xixiang Temple. The most famous scenery here is "Elephant Pond at Night Moon". After nightfall, everything is quiet. White clouds are floating around the temple, and the bright moon is in the sky. The moonlight is reflected in the pool, and the water and sky are one color, which is magnificent.

There are monkeys, but there are even more people. The temple is located above the Pier, making it a prime location for monkeys to prey on tourists who are resting there. Be careful when taking out food and water.

No matter which route you take to reach the Golden Summit of Mount Emei, this is a must-see. I personally love snowy scenery, so the Elephant Washing Pool, blanketed in snow, left a particularly deep impression. I visited in winter, and since it was already getting dark, I was forced to stay overnight in a triple room for 180 yuan, which was incredibly cold. The room was large, but felt unsanitary, cold, and damp. Thankfully, there were electric blankets, but two of them didn't work, so we had to squeeze into a small bed. The temple provides meals at set times, but they're gone after that. We missed our first night's meal, but luckily we stocked up on instant noodles and boiled some water. The next morning, we had an early breakfast and found the soy milk and porridge unique and delicious. It was satisfying! PS: There were many monkeys at the entrance to the Elephant Washing Pool. Some were the largest I've ever seen, probably heavier than me, and incredibly powerful! One monkey blocked our path at the edge of the cliff, even jumping on my companion's back and pulling on his backpack. My 168cm tall companion was nearly thrown off the cliff by the monkeys. I remember how sorry I was that my companions weren't able to get a good look at the monkeys at the animal sanctuary that morning. After that terrifying incident, I never want to see monkeys again! The monkeys at Emei Mountain are truly worthy of their reputation!