Emei Mountain Travel Guide

Emei Mountain is one of China's "Four Great Buddhist Mountains," famous for its sea of clouds, sunrise, Golden Summit Buddha light, and spiritual monkeys. It is known as "Emei, the Most Beautiful in the World." This guide covers transportation, accommodation, routes, must-see attractions, and important tips to help you efficiently explore Emei Mountain!

📅 Best Time to Visit
✅ Peak Season (April-October):

April-June: Spring is vibrant, rhododendrons bloom, fewer tourists.
July-August: A summer resort (top temperature 15-20℃), but rainy season may bring fog.
September-October: Cool and refreshing autumn, high chance of sea of clouds, great for photography.

❌ Off-Season (November-March):

Winter snow scenes are stunning (Golden Summit covered in silver), but some mountain roads are closed, bring anti-slip gear.

🚗 Transportation Guide
1. How to Get to Emei Mountain?

✈️ Airplane:

Fly to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) or Leshan Airport, then take high-speed train/bus to Emei Mountain.

🚄 High-Speed Train:

Chengdu East/South Station → Emei Mountain Station (1.5 hours, ticket 54 RMB), then 10-minute taxi to the scenic area.

🚌 Bus:

Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station → Emei Mountain Scenic Area (about 2.5 hours, ticket 45 RMB).

2. Transportation Within the Scenic Area

Tour Bus: From Baoguo Temple/Huangwan Station at the foot → Leidongping (about 2 hours, round trip ticket 90 RMB).
Cable Cars:

Golden Summit Cable Car (Jieyin Hall → Golden Summit, uphill 65 RMB/downhill 55 RMB).
Wannian Temple Cable Car (Wannian Temple Parking Lot → Wannian Temple, uphill 65 RMB/downhill 45 RMB).

Hiking: Classic routes take 1-2 days (detailed below).

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
1. Foot of the Mountain (near Baoguo Temple/Huangwan)

High-end: Emei Mountain Hot Spring Hotel (with hot springs, 500-800 RMB/night).
Cost-effective: Home Inn, Hanting (200-300 RMB/night), suitable for early ascent next day.

2. Mid-Mountain (Qingyin Pavilion/Wannian Temple)

Guesthouses/Farm stays (150-300 RMB/night), quiet environment, ideal for hiking enthusiasts.

3. Summit (Golden Summit)

Golden Summit Hotel (600-1000 RMB/night), window views of the sea of clouds, but book in advance.

⚠️ Book at least 1 week in advance during peak season, especially for summit accommodations!

📸 Must-See Attractions & Itinerary
📍 Classic 1-Day Tour Route (Easy Version)
Morning:

Take the tour bus from the foot directly to Leidongping (about 2 hours).
Hike 20 minutes to Jieyin Hall, then take the Golden Summit cable car up.
Golden Summit sightseeing:

Statue of Samantabhadra (48-meter tall golden Buddha)
Huazang Temple, She Shen Cliff (best spot to view the sea of clouds)
If weather permits, witness the "Buddha Light" phenomenon (high chance 9-10 AM).

Afternoon:
4. Take the cable car back to Leidongping, then the tour bus down the mountain.
5. Pass by Baoguo Temple/Fuhu Temple (visit if time allows).

📍 In-Depth 2-Day Tour Route (Hiking + Cable Car Combination)
Day 1:

Foot of the mountain → Qingyin Pavilion (1.5-hour hike) → Yixiantian/Ecological Monkey Area (see wild macaques) → Hongchunping (stay overnight).
Day 2:
Hongchunping → Xianfeng Temple → Washing Elephant Pool → Leidongping (6-8 hour hike) → Cable car up to Golden Summit (watch sunset/sunrise).

⚠️ Important Tips

Ticket Booking:

Peak season ticket 160 RMB, off-season 110 RMB, tour bus/cable car tickets sold separately.
Book in advance on the "Emei Mountain Shitu Tourism Website."

Monkey Safety Tips:

Do not carry plastic bags! Monkeys will snatch food (monkey injury insurance available, recommended to purchase).
Keep distance, avoid eye contact or provoking them.

Clothing Suggestions:

Spring/Summer: light jacket + non-slip shoes; Autumn/Winter: down jacket + trekking poles (top is 10℃ cooler than foot).

Altitude Sickness:

Golden Summit altitude 3079 meters, avoid strenuous exercise, bring chocolate/Rhodiola.

🍜 Food Recommendations

Emei Tofu Pudding (recommended "Jiao San Jiao"): spicy and fragrant, served with crispy meat + vermicelli.
Ye'er Ba: glutinous rice wrapped with meat filling, soft and savory.
Barbecue at the foot: must-try night snack, especially grilled fish slices and ribs.

💰 Budget Reference (2 days 1 night per person)

Tickets + tour bus + cable car: about 300 RMB
Accommodation: 200-800 RMB
Meals: 100-200 RMB/day
Transportation: round-trip high-speed train from Chengdu 100 RMB
Total: about 600-1500 RMB

🌟 Travel Tips

Watch sunrise: stay at Golden Summit, arrive at She Shen Cliff before 6 AM.
Travel light: hikers should bring enough water and snacks, few supply points on route.
Respectful worship: no loud noises in temples, voluntary incense donations welcome.