Mt. Emeishan
» Chengdu, Si Chuan

峨眉山 峨眉天下秀 '蜀中多仙山,峨眉邈难匹'

Mt. Emeishan, seven kilometers southwest of Emeishan City, 160 kilometers southwest of Chengdu, is like a huge green screen standing in the southwest of the Chengdu Plain. The mountain stretches more than 200 kilometers from south to north. Its main peak, Wanfo Top, is 3,099 meters above sea level. Its charming scenery has won it the name of "Mt. Emeishan, the Greatest Beauty under Heaven."

The name "Emeishan"

Emeishan literally means "Delicate Eyebrow Mountain" - it derives its name from two peaks which face each other and look like the delicate eyebrows of a Chinese classic beauty.

Whatto enjoy here

Mt. Emeishan is well-known for its enjoyable natural scenery, extensive Buddhist culture, abundant range of species and unique landform. Thus it gets such titles as 'Kingdom of Plants', 'Geological Museum', 'Animals' Paradise' and 'Buddhist Celestial Mountain'.

Florid Natural Scenery

Going into the mountain, you can see continuous ranges of peaks and tall trees covering on them. Water flows swiftly as if it were flying. Birds are singing and pretty butterflies are dancing. In spring, all the creatures are burgeoning and the whole mountain is in a fresh green coat; in summer, beautiful flowers are blooming one after another in a way of competition; in autumn, the entire Mt. Emeishan is decorated by the red leaves which make the mountain so amazing that it is far beyond your imagination; in winter, it is covered by snow like a pure bride with white wedding dress.

Profound Buddhist Culture

Mt. Emeishan is one of the four celebrated Buddhist Mountains in China. It is said that Buddhism was brought to Mt. Emeishan in the first century BC. After nearly 2,000 years of development, Mt. Emeishan has become a place rich in Buddhist heritage, which has made it an influential sacred place in China and even in the whole world. There are vivid and exquisite statues of Buddha made of clay, wood, jade, bronze and porcelain. As one of the three genres of Chinese martial art in China, Mt. Emeishan has gained its reputation both at home and abroad.

Abundant Resources of Species

Mt. Emeishan is covered with green vegetation all the year round. Its plentiful rainfall, peculiar landform, varied climate and complicated structures of the soil provide a perfect environment for a great number of species' growth and propagation. Among the plants, here you can have the chance to admire the rare trees, many different flowers and herbs. These plants not only endow the mountain with beauty but also create a natural fairyland for the animals here. Among all the animals there are many rare species.

Mysterious Geological Museum

The splendid Mt. Emeishan was created by the Himalayan mountain-building movement and the later uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It contains geological features of all the periods following the Cambrian period. The special geological feature is the precondition of the growth of various species and beautiful sceneries.

Spectacles of Mt.Emeishan

Sunrise

In Golden Summit, the sky before the dawn is amazing. The ground and the sky are in the same dark purple. Then gradually wisps of rosy clouds appear above the horizon indicating the coming of a pleasant day. Under the pink clouds, all of a sudden, a small mauve point comes out and rises slowly, and then little by little it becomes an arc and then a semicircle. The color turns from mauve to jacinth and then golden red. At last the semicircle makes an elegant jump thus the sun appears in the east sky.

After the sunrise, millions of sun rays shoot onto the ground. At this time the Mt. Emeishan is gold in color, from the head to the feet, showing all her glamour to the visitors.

Clouds Sea

When the sky is clearly blue, white clouds rise slowly among the mountains. Just in a moment, vast clouds sea appears above the horizon like a snowy white woolen blanket, smooth, clean and thick. When wind comes, the clouds sea is wafted to all the directions and then mountains become small islands floating in an ocean; when the clouds sea gathers together, peaks are invisible again.

Buddha Rays

In the afternoon, at the foot of the Sheshen Rock, every place is full of pure white clouds. Then an aura the color of red, orange, yellow, green, black blue, blue and purple extends within a radius of around one to two meters (about 3 to 7 feet). It looms and shines in the center like a mirror. Back against the sunlight from the west, sometimes you can find your own shadow in the aura. And your every action is followed by the figure in the aura, as if you were facing a bright mirror. To your most surprise, even if millions of people were viewing at it or two persons hugging each other were enjoying it, they could only see themselves. And this is the magic Buddha rays, which are rare in other places but appear in Mt. Emeishan frequently.

Saint Lamps

In the dark nights of Golden Summit, occasionally, you can see a point of fluorescence flowing between the valleys, then changing into several and step by step into numerous. This is the famous scenery saint lamps in Mt. Emeishan.

The saint lamps can be seen under four conditions: firstly, the weather must be fine right after the rain; secondly, there is no moon in the sky; thirdly, there are no clouds layers at the foot of the mountain; fourthly, there are no heavy wind and rain on top of the mountain. As for the conditions, it is clear that the saint lamps are really hard to be observed.

Getting around the must-sees

There were once more than a hundred temples and monasteries on the mountain, but only about twenty remain today, including the following better-known ones: Devotion to the Country Temple (Baoguosi), Ten-Thousand-Year Temple (Wanniansi), and Immortal Peak Temple (Xianfengsi), and the temple at Elephant Bath Pond (Xixiangchi).

Devotion to the Country Temple (Baoguosi)

The Temple is the center of Buddhist activities in Mt. Emeishan. The climate here is mild and trees are verdant and serried. Visiting this temple, you can enjoy either the renowned ancient buildings and precious Buddhist cultural relics or peculiar natural attractions and rare animals and plants.

Facing the east, it awaits the arrival of the rising sun in the morning and sends off the setting sun in the dusk. In front of the temple gate there is a pair of stone lions carved in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). They are lively, grand and mighty, like door guards protecting the temple as well as the Mt. Emeishan. A large engraved stone slab hangs above the gate with the name of the temple on it which was written by the Emperor Kangxi (1654 - 1722) of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).

Ten-Thousand-Year Temple (Wanniansi)

The scenery in Ten-Thousand-Year Temple is pleasant all the year around but especially in autumn. In autumn there is heat of summer at the foot of the Mt. Emeishan even though snow has fallen on the top, but it is the best season to visit the Temple. Here red leaves are reflected in the water and when a breeze comes the leaves dance in the pond forming red waves glistening in the sunlight. So thrilling! Also in the temple scenic region, there are mountain villages creating a peaceful and intoxicating picture.

Looking around beside the White Water Pond, the wind touches the mountains, wobbling the trees making a howling sound; red leaves have a dance to the wind in the air; the ripple stream water goes rightly through the temple and is crooning and echoing the wind.

Immortal Peak Temple

It was built 1,700 meters above sea level on the slope of Mt. Emeishan. Next to the temple is a big cave where, as the legend goes, the Yellow Emperor who was visiting the place met a white-haired old man who had a young face. The emperor asked him if he had any company, and the old man replied, yes, there are eight others in the cave. Since then, the cave has been called the Nine Elders Cave (Jiulaodong).

Qingyin Pavilion

Qingyin Pavilion is in the middle part of Mt. Emeishan. It is no exaggeration to say that the whole area of the pavilion is a fine picture with green hills and blue water. At its high point there are towering exquisite and refined pavilions. Two gloriettes stand in the middle of the region of Qingyin Pavilion.

There is one stone bridge crossing on the Black Dragon River (The color of the water is dark green.) and the White Dragon River (The color of the water is ivory.) on each side of the gloriette. The two bridges are like a pair of wings, so a beautiful name was given to them: Double Flying Bridges. In the lower point, you can see the Black Dragon River on the right of the Cattle Heart Pavilion and White Dragon River on its left.

The billowing waves strike the huge stone in the green pond giving out the roaring sound time and again and echoing around the surrounding valleys and woods. The water splashing in all directions like broken pieces of crystal pearls and jade and forms a series of water drops flying in the air and then drop into the pond. How amazing it is! In the night with full moon and soft wind, all is quiet and there is only the melodious sound of water resounding in the air. Listening to the clear sound, your heart will be in a state of quietness and you will forget the existence of yourself.

Golden Summit

Golden Summit gets its name from a bronze house which was there. The weather here is cold in all year round but its natural scenery is wonderful. The four great spectacles of Golden Summit and also of Mt. Emeishan are sunrise, clouds sea, Buddha rays and saint lamps. They are the essence of the beauty and mysterious charm of the Mt. Emeishan. In the following paragraphs detailed descriptions of the four great spectacles will be given.

What to buy

Hawkers sell straw or bamboo poles and crampons to attach to boots, which will be necessary when paths are slippery in the winter and spring.

What to eat

The monasteries all offer delicious vegetarian fare. However, if you want a meat based Chinese meal, there are restaurants close to the tourist temples.

Getting there

Mt. Emeishan lies 150 km away from Chengdu, 130 km from the Shuangliu International Airport and only 28 km from Leshan city. Access to the mountain is via Emeishan town, 7km from the base. Minibuses and public buses leave from Emeishan's main street depot to the trailhead at Baoguo.

On foot

It is five kilometers to the top of Emeishan, much of it consisting of stone stairs. If you walk it all, plan for a full day up and a full day down (around 10 hours on foot). Monasteries along the way offer reasonably-priced lodging, and there are several comfortable lodges on the summit.

By minibus

Minibuses and cable cars can take tourists most of the way up the mountain. Most opt for tours from Chengdu, about three hours to the mountain base, then another two hours to Jieyin Dien, where you already feel the air at 2,540 meters.

By cable-car

A Swiss-style cable car soars over pines to Jinding, and a final hike of about an hour, huffing and puffing in the high altitude, to the peak. Some spend the night to see the sunrise; others quickly turn around and head back.

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Shopping & Leisure

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Nature Reserve & Scenic Area

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area

  Weather

  1. What about climate in Chengdu?
  2. What's the best season for traveling in Chengdu?
  3. Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area and Huanglong Scenic Area lie in Aba, what about the climate here? What's the best season here?

  Food

  1. What are the characteristics of Chengdu snakes? Could you introduce some unique dishes?
  2. What eating-taboos need we pay attention to in the Tibetan region - Aba?

  Shopping

  1. What souvenirs can we buy for friends and relatives in Chengdu?

  Travel

  1. What are entertainments in Chengdu?
  2. I know Jiuzhaigou scenic areas lie in Aba County. Could you tell me where the Aba is located?
  3. Can I do the self-serve traveling in Aba?
  4. What are the items to be aware of when traveling in Jiuzhaigou?
  5. Can we enjoy some typical performances in Jiuzhaigou?

    6.   Customs

    1. What are the minority residents in Sichuan? What taboos need we pay attention to in Sichuan?

      Other Hints

    1. What need we prepare if we visit the plateau region?
    2. What's the city code of Chengdu?

    • What about climate in Chengdu?

      The climate of Chengdu is mild and humid with distinct four seasons and plenty of rainfall. It is a city with the early spring, hot summer, cool autumn and warm winter.

      The annual average temperature is 16 degree Celsius. January is the coldest season when the average temperature is approximately 5 degrees Celsius. Snow is rare but there are a few periods of frost each winter. Summer is hot and humid. July is the hottest season when temperatures can be almost 35 degree Celsius.


    • What's the best season for traveling in Chengdu?

      The best time to visit is between March and June or between September and November. In the hottest seasons of July and August, you can summer at the nearby Mt. Qingchengshan or Xiling Snow Mountain. When snow in winter, you can enjoy the nice snow scenery at Xiling Snow Mountain and Longchi Forest Park.


    • Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area and Huanglong Scenic Area lie in Aba, what about the climate here? What's the best season here?

      Aba has a continental plateau climate. So visiting Aba, including Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area and Huanglong Scenic Area, spring or autumn clothing is necessary in summer for the temperature varies greatly during a day.

      The spring of Aba is from June to July. And the winter is from December to March and April of the next year. Some people say that paradise is distributed everywhere in Aba. The fact is different sceneries of Aba show their best in different seasons.

      The best time to Huanglong is from April to November, to Jiuzhaigou is from September to October. During the high tourist seasons such as International Labor Day (May 1st) and National Day (October 1st), there are a lot of visitors here. So the prices of the hotel, food and transportation in this period are very high. You'd better avoid the high tourist seasons.


    • What are the characteristics of Chengdu snakes? Could you introduce some unique dishes?

      Chengdu snacks enjoy a high reputation both at home and abroad with their unique colors, aromas, shapes and tastes. It covers the essence of Sichuan cuisine.

      You can taste some famous dishes such as the Long Wonton Soup, Mapo Doufu, Hot pepper, and so on. There are many foods with the unequal characteristics in Chengdu. Although you can buy some from Beijing, such as beef jerky and dehydrated bean curd, the varieties and taste are not more than original place.

      You can buy the typical Sichuan seasoning in the local market. In a word, you will come back with fruitful results.


    • What eating-taboos need we pay attention to in the Tibetan region - Aba?

      The Tibetan food and Sichuan cuisine are popular in Aba. But there are some Muslim foods. So you can have your meals in Aba County or some bigger towns. However, you need to take along some food with you.


    • What souvenirs can we buy for friends and relatives in Chengdu?

      There are a few good local specialties which are worth having a look at even if you don't want to make a purchase!

      Shu Embroidery is an interesting example of exquisite workmanship and detail. And it is one of the four best and most famous brocades in China along with Nanjing Brocade, Suzhou Brocade and Guangxi Brocade.

      Silk Tapestry is also one of your best choices. The tapestry is smooth and sleek and to touch it feels soft and springy and this makes a lovely souvenir.

      Equally impressive are the beautiful Silverware pieces and Qingcheng Silk Tapestries.

      All kinds of Bamboo craftwork and lacquer ware are also worthy to buy some for your friends and relatives as the decent gifts.


    • What are entertainments in Chengdu?

      The main form of entertainment in Chengdu is Chinese traditional opera C Sichuan opera. It is a great place to see some authentic Chinese art on stage such as facial makeup, fire-spitting, the long flowing silk inner sleeves, spirals-lifting.

      When you are in Chengdu, you will see teahouses everywhere on the streets. Teahouses sprawl over Chengdu sidewalks, public parks, main scenic spots, in back-alley sections and suburbs. You can enjoy your pastimes and stay in theses teahouses all day!


    • I know Jiuzhaigou scenic areas lie in Aba County. Could you tell me where the Aba located is?

      Aba is situated in northwestern Sichuan Province. Aba County is well connected to many provincial towns and cities such as Garz, Liangshan and Yaan City. It is bounded on the famous Tibet Autonomous Region. It is a special region. We need to follow the customs and habits of the local people.


    • Can I do the self-serve traveling in Aba?

      Aba is surely one of incredibly amazing places in China people want to visit. It is a place with a lot of splendid scenic spots and with the unique culture. Its beauty bears no comparison with other places from home and abroad. There are so many snow mountains in the large area of Aba.

      You may meet some troubles when you do the self-serve traveling in the remote and undeveloped area. So transportation, hotel, food here are all not convenient. It's recommended to well plan this trip before you rock this place.

      If you have time, give yourself at least couple days to explore this place with the help of some professional person or tour guides.


    • What are the items to be aware of when traveling in Jiuzhaigou?

      There are some hidden washrooms and dustbins in the main scenic spots of Jiuzhaigou. You need to collaborate with the tour guide and to protect the environment during the trip.

      Do not feed the fish in Jiuzhaigou. Do not pick the wild fruit and some fungus to avoid being food poisoned. Follow the tour guide to avoid some accidents. Do not stay overnight in Jiuzhaogou and live in the hotel outside of Jiuzhaigou after one day's trip.


    • Can we enjoy some typical performances in Jiuzhaigou?

      Yes, your first choice is to enjoy the performance of Tibetan servant-girl. It is the best time to display the local customs for travelers all over the world.

      At the same time, we can eat the typical snacks and take part in the singing and dancing party with local minority peoples around a campfire.


    • What are the minority residents in Sichuan? What taboos need we pay attention to in Sichuan?

      Sichuan is one of the multi-ethnic provinces in the country. In addition to the Han people, there live another 52 ethnic groups, including the Tibetan, Qiang, Miao, Tujia, Naxi, Manchu, Dai, Zhuang, Bai minority peoples.

      Most of the minority residents live in the northwestern part of Sichuan. There have established three autonomous prefectures: Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture.The famous scenic resorts such as Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area and Huanglong Scenic Area are located in Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture.

      This is a multiethnic reign; you need to follow the customs and habits of the local people, in order not to trouble yourselves. It is more suitable to gain their permission if you want to have a photo taken with the local people.


    • What need we prepare if we visit the plateau region?

      The Plateau is an area with high altitude, thin oxygen and intensive sunshine. The temperature here varies greatly during a day. So you need to take along with some clothes such as jacket, sweater, etc.

      At the same time, you need to take the sunglasses, sun hat, suntan lotion, lip balm, cold tablets, and stomach tablets.

      In high Plateau, you can't do the labor work and you need to avoid doing some intense exercise like walking quickly, especially running. Drink less and eat more vegetable and fruit to avoid altitude sickness. So it is better for you with a pre-existing heart and lung problems to consult the doctors before taking Plateau tours.

      And it is necessary for you to take some drugs for routine (Medication to help your headache, diarrhea, stomach-ache, cold and altitude sickness).

      Most Plateau tours are not highly demanding physically. However, the travelers need to be in good conditions and able to walk up and down moderate hills on a daily basis.

      If you feel out of breath or your chest feels tight, you need to transfer to the lower altitude place to have rest as soon as possible. And it is better for the old and infirm to take along with a small oxygen cylinder.


    • What's the city code of Chengdu?

      Chengdu's City Code: 028


As one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, Mt. Emeishan scenic area is scattered with a large number of temples and historical and cultural sites. The natural beauty and sacred significance of Mt. Emeishan has been drawing pilgrims and tourists for 2,000 years. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1996.

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