'''Mount Emei''' (_____R Emei-sh?n) is a sacred Buddhist mountain in the southern part of Sichuan, China.

Understand

Mt. Emei stands at 3099 meters (10,167 feet), and is associated with Puxian Bodhisattva (Samantabhadra) - a representation of 'Great Practice' and 'Great Virtue'. Ever since Buddhism arrived in China, it has been an important center of refuge, and the mountain contains more than one hundred temples and monasteries. The mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Get in

Mt. Emei is 150 kilometers south of Chengdu, 130 kilometers from the Shuangliu International Airport and 28 kilometers from Leshan city. There are regular overnight trains between Emei Shan and Kunming as well as buses to/from Chengdu (Xinnanmen Bus Station) and Le Shan. Buses and trains either go to Emei Shan or the nearby town of Baoguo. Three-day entry tickets cost \150 (\80 concession). Make sure to have your photo put on the ticket so that you can enter on the other days.

Get around

Maps are available at the mountain, and visitors are free to travel around and enter the monasteries. The mountain is big, but the monasteries offer cheap accommodation (10Y to 50Y per person). To comfortably see the whole mountain, you'll need at least three days, though it can be covered quickly in a day. The more interesting spots are the secluded ones away from the tourist areas.

There are buses that will take you halfway up the mountain (\20) or to near the top (\40, \35 down). From the top bus station, you can also take a cable car (\40 up, \30 down) the rest of the way to the summit. Restaurants are located at convenient intervals so there is little need to carry food. If you do, be aware of the thieving monkeys, and note that they can be '''VERY AGGRESSIVE''' and dangerous moreso than cute. '''Caution is strongly advised.'''

See

  • '''Wan-nian Monastery ''' - a large monastery with a fantastic statue of Puxian Bodhisattva, who is depicted as riding a white elephant with six tusks. The monks there are great, and they add a good deal to the ambience of the mountain. The temple is a modern re-construction.
  • '''Leiyin Monastery''' - this temple, and some of the others temples tucked away in the seams of the mountain, are worthy of exploring, although many are cheaply-made, modern constructions.
  • '''Baoguo Si Temple''' - Contains a massive bronze bell, said to be heard from 10 miles away when rung
  • '''Jin Ding Si Temple''' - Near the summit, there is a terrace with a fine view
  • Do

    Hiking is one of the main attractions, with trails criss-crossing the park. If you are tired there you can take a sedan chair carried by people. Cable cars go to the summit and there is another one to the south to lessen the strenuous climbs

    During winter there is a skiing area. It is really just a bunny slope for Chinese who've never before been exposed to the sport.

    Note: if you've a room at the hotel at the top of the mountain check the departure time for the last bus leaving either up or down the mountain to avoid being stranded for a very cold stay at the mid-mountain hotels. They are pretty much not heated. The heat they do have is so little that it will be below zero in your room. During this time of the year much of the plumbing is also shut down so do not expect running water anywhere '''Including the toilets!''' Instead, toilet bowls are lined with plastic garbage bags which get carried off in the morning.

    Buy

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

    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. You can also get snacks at several places along the trails.

    Drink

    Do not drink from the mountain streams. There are several shacks along the way that sell bottled water for only \5. They are frequent enough that you don't need to worry about water when hiking.

    Sleep

    The best places to stay are the monasteries. Again, you can find regular hotels close to the tourist spots that are inexpensive. Baoguo Village is the closest place to the foot of the mountain. Here you'll find the popular Teddy Bear Cafe & Hotel. They will hold your luggage until you return. Note that accommodation at monasteries closest to tourist spots tends to be more expensive. Bathrooms tend to be primitive and not for the faint-hearted.

    Note; if you've a room at the hotel at the top of the mountain And you are at the skiing area, check the departure time for the last bus leaving either up or down the mountain to avoid being stranded for a very cold stay at the mid-mountain hotels. They are pretty much not heated. The heat they do have is so little that it will be below zero in your room. During this time of the year much of the plumbing is also shut down so do not expect running water anywhere Including the toilets! Instead, toilet bowls are lined with plastic garbage bags which get carried off in the morning.

    Stay Safe

    Aside from being careful at the top of the mountain, one main thing to remember are the aggressive monkeys who pester hikers for handouts, keep food packed away. If you come across any monkeys outside of the temples, do not stop to take pictures or stare as they will bite if provoked. Pack rain gear and wear stout footwear as the paths get slippery, especially from October to April. Hawkers sell straw poles and crampons to attach to boots. Warm clothing is essential at the summit year round

    Get out

  • '''Leshan Grand Buddha''' - A massive, 230 feet high buddha carved into the mountainside.
  • The city of Chongqing is a grand city on the Yangtze
  • The Yangtze River offers many scenic cruising options to the north
  • Chengdu is both historic and modern