Mount Emei A Encounter of Soul and Scenery

Located in Emeishan City, Leshan, Sichuan Province, Mount Emei is one of China’s Four Great Buddhist Mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (both natural and cultural). Its main peak, Wanfo Ding (Ten Thousand Buddhas Peak), stands at 3,099 meters above sea level, with steep terrain and distinct four seasons. Spring brings blooming azaleas all over the mountains, summer hides cool streams, autumn paints the forests in rich hues, and winter covers everything in pure white snow. The unique "Five Wonders of Emei" – sea of clouds, sunrise, Buddha’s light, sacred lamps, and sunset glow – attract countless photographers. The mountain boasts rich biodiversity, with over 3,200 species of higher plants and 2,300 species of wild animals, including China’s largest wild macaque reserve.

Mount Emei has been a Buddhist sacred site since the Eastern Han Dynasty and is the Taoist site of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. The Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai praised its grandeur with the line "Emei towers above the western sky". There are numerous temples on the mountain: Baoguo Temple is solemn and majestic, Wannian Temple’s Beamless Hall is an exquisite Ming Dynasty brick dome building, and the 48-meter-tall gilded bronze statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva on the Golden Summit shimmers in the clouds, evoking a profound sense of sacredness.

For an exciting cloud-top cable car ride, take the one from Leidongping to the Golden Summit – gliding through the sea of clouds feels like flying. Hiking routes (such as Qingyin Pavilion to Wannian Temple) are perfect for adventure seekers, with paths winding through dense forests and stone steps full of wild charm. After a long day, relax in a natural sulfur hot spring at a foothill hotel to soothe tired muscles. Besides, the "Food Street" near Baoguo Temple offers authentic snacks like spicy hot pot (malatang), tofu pudding, and cured pork ribs. The Golden Summit’s braised duck with snow fungus combines mountain delicacies with Sichuan cuisine essence, treating your taste buds to a feast.