Emei Shan Pilgrimage

Emei Shan, also known as Emeishan , Mt. O-mei, Mt. Emei or Emei Mountain, is located 7km southwest of Emeishan City and 37km from Leshan, 200km southwest of Chengdu in Sichuan Province. It is one of China's Four Holy Buddhist Mountains. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The range stretches more than 200km from south to north, with its main peak, Wanfo Peak, 3,100m above sea level. 

Emeishan's history has been recorded for over 2,000 years, during which time a rich Buddhist cultural heritage has accumulated. Mt. Emei is historically significant as being the site of one of the first Buddhist temples in China, built at the base of the mountain as early as the Eastern Han Dynasty (24-220) . In the Ming and Qing dynasties there were more than 150 temples. A legend claims that the mountain was where Samantabhadra gave lectures on Buddhism and most temples house a statue of Samantabhadra.

Mt. Emei is also notable for its very diverse vegetation, ranging from sub-tropical to sub-alpine pine forests. Some of the trees are more than a thousand years old. 

  

From the foot of the mountain to the peak, the temperature difference is dramatic. In summer, the town is hot and humid at the foot of the mountain, but it may well be cold at the peak. Bring warm clothes with you or hire a jacket locally. 

The rain season is from June to September. 

Best Season to Visit 

Emeishan can be visited all year – in the winter it may be covered in snow. 

Getting there & away  

 

Take the bus from Chengdu (Xinnanmen Bus Station) - 2.5 hours to Emei Town. 

Then a taxi to the entrance of Emei Shan (Bao Guo Si Temple, near the Teddy Bear Hotel), which costs 15 yuan OR catch the bus near the Teddy Bear Hotel to the top of the mountain and then walk down. 

The last bus back to Chengdu leaves at 6pm (but check this locally). 

It is 5km to the top, which takes around 10 hours on foot. If you choose to walk it all, plan for a full day up and a full day down. Monasteries along the way offer reasonably-priced lodging, and there are several comfortable lodges on the summit. Remember to dress in layers - a 20°C temperature variance between base and summit is normal. 

A full day's hike to the summit is an unforgettable experience undertaken by many, but minibuses and cable cars are faster alternatives for travelers short on time. Some spend the night to see the sunrise, others quickly turn around and head back. 

The Four Wonders of Mt. Emei are Buddha's Halo, the Sea of Clouds, the Holy Lamp (or Divine Lights) and the Golden Summit Sunrise and Sea of Clouds, best seen from the Golden Summit monastery. 

Admission Fee

Entrance: Y120 

Wannian Temple:  Y10 

Huazang Temple: Y10 

Fuhu Temple: Y10 

Baoguo Temple: Y10 

Golden Summit cable car: Y70 (round-trip) 

Wannian Temple cable car: Y60 (round-trip) 

 

Pu Tuo Shan, Zhejiang province, 284 meters. Sacred to Kuan-Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

Wu Tai Shan, Shanxi province, 3061 meters. Sacred to Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom.

Emei Shan, Sichuan province, 3099 meters. Sacred to Samantabhadra, the Bodhisattva of Benevolent Action.

Jiu Hua Shan, Anhui province, 1341 meters. Sacred to Kshitigarbha, the Bodhisattva of Salvation.