Emei Mountain Autumn Feast: The Perfect Encounter of Red Leaves, Starry Sky, and Hot Springs

In October, Emei Mountain dons its most magnificent attire of the year, waiting for your arrival.

The first ray of morning sunlight shines on the Golden Summit, with a sea of clouds rolling beneath your feet and distant snow-capped mountains faintly visible. The maple leaves on the mountain gradually turn various shades of red, intertwining with the evergreen pines and cypresses to form a splendid autumn painting.

Walking along the mountain path from Qingyin Pavilion to Wannian Temple, the fallen leaves rustle underfoot, the sound of flowing streams fills your ears, and layers of red leaves cover the green mountains before your eyes. In the cool autumn air, the red leaves bring you a warm feeling.

01 Rich Autumn Colors: Best Time to View Emei Red Leaves

From mid-October to early November is the golden season for autumn viewing on Emei Mountain. At this time, the forest is dyed in layers, frost thickens, leaves turn red, and clouds and mist swirl, perfectly embodying the poetic scene of "Stopping the carriage to admire the maple forest at dusk, frost leaves redder than February flowers."

The autumn scenery of Emei Mountain is unique. Here, not only are there red leaves, but also the four wonders of the Golden Summit: sea of clouds, sunrise, Buddha’s light, and sacred lamp, all complementing the autumn colors beautifully.

- Shuangshuijing: The transportation hub of Emei Mountain’s most beautiful road. On the winding mountain road, peaks near and far come into view, with green forests highlighting the red leaves, breathtakingly beautiful.
- Xixiang Pool: Known for its fairy-like charm, the mountain roads around the entire temple are surrounded by layers of red leaves, making it an excellent spot for autumn leaf viewing.

02 Starry Sky Splendor: An Astronomical Feast on Autumn Nights

Emei Mountain in autumn is not only charming by day but spectacular at night. At 3,079 meters above sea level on the Golden Summit, the night sky is clear and pure, with countless stars sparkling like diamonds across the deep sky.

Stargazing at the Golden Summit is an unmissable experience. Free from worldly noise and light pollution, the Milky Way pours down from the horizon as if within reach. The mountain breeze gently brushes by, carrying whispers of pine waves and sea of clouds, filling the air with crispness and tranquility.

From the night of August 12 to the early morning of August 13, 2025, the Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak here! This meteor shower can produce about 100 meteors per hour, with an average of one meteor streaking across the sky every minute, and it boasts the highest number of bright and colorful meteors among all meteor showers.

Besides the Golden Summit, several lower-altitude stargazing spots are also great:

- Taiyang Village, Suishan Town (local name: Zhujiaimen): Over 1,000 meters in elevation, conveniently accessible and close to the urban area.
- Tea gardens in Zhaizi Village, Gaoqiao Town: With open views and the aroma of tea in the air, the dazzling Milky Way above the tea gardens is enchanting.
- Highland vegetable base and Walnut Dam in Longchi Town: Average elevation above 1,000 meters, far from city noise, a stargazing paradise for photography enthusiasts.

03 Hot Springs Wellness: A Warm Autumn Experience

As autumn deepens, soaking in Emei Mountain’s hot springs is the ultimate comfort. Emei’s hot springs are medical-grade radon springs, known for significant therapeutic effects on cardiovascular diseases and arthritis.

Hongzhushan Forest Hot Spring

Located within the Hongzhushan Hotel in the Baoguo Temple scenic area, the hot spring source is a circulating, pressurized radon spring from 3,000 meters underground, with an outlet temperature of 49°C.

It features 19 forest hot spring pools built along the mountain terrain, nestled among dense woods, creating a natural ecological landscape. At night, the pool area uses ground lights to create a Milky Way visual effect, making it especially romantic.

Emei Mountain Source Hot Spring

Located halfway up Emei Mountain in Huangwan Township, this is the core outlet of Emei’s hot springs. The spring water is drawn from a Cambrian carbonate aquifer 1,260 meters underground, with a well depth of 1,652 meters.

Here, medicinal baths, hydrotherapy, and traditional Chinese massage services are offered, using herbal bath packs made from local Emei Mountain herbs. There is also a bonfire party every evening from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, featuring self-service barbecue and folk song performances.

04 Practical Information: Trip Planning and Suggestions

Ticket Prices

- Scenic area ticket: 160 RMB/person in peak season
- Golden Summit cableway: 120 RMB/person round trip
- Full-route shuttle bus: 90 RMB/person
- Source Hot Spring: Adult tickets start at 80 RMB/person
- Hongzhushan Hot Spring: 268 RMB/person for adults

Transportation

- High-speed rail: Depart from Chengdu East Station, passing Shuangliu Airport, Meishan Station, Leshan Station, arriving at Emei Mountain Station
- Self-driving: Via Chengya Expressway or Chengle Expressway, about 2.5 hours
- Tourist bus: Direct tourist bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station (about 2.5 hours)

Recommended Itinerary (Classic Two-Day Tour)

1. Day One: Baoguo Temple → Fuhu Temple → Qingyin Pavilion → Ecological Monkey Area (observe Tibetan macaques, do not feed) → Overnight at Leidongping; evening options include stargazing or hot springs
2. Day Two: Early morning hike 1.5 hours from Leidongping to Jieyin Hall, take cable car to Golden Summit for sunrise → Visit the 48-meter-high Samantabhadra Statue → Challenge the Wanfo Peak trail if time permits

Accommodation Options

- For sunrise viewing: Stay at Leidongping (mostly guesthouses, basic conditions) or Golden Summit (such as Golden Summit Lodge, convenient but pricier)
- For comfort: Stay near Baoguo Temple at the mountain foot, with various hotels and guesthouses available

Food Recommendations

Don’t miss Emei tofu pudding (with beef or pork intestine flavors), Ye’er Ba (glutinous rice stuffed with fresh meat), and vegetarian meals at Wannian Temple or Xixiang Pool.

05 Warm Tips: Make Your Trip Even Better

1. Dress Suggestions: Temperatures are lower on the mountain; bring warm clothing and comfortable, non-slip hiking shoes. Windproof jackets or lightweight down jackets are especially needed for stargazing and sunrise viewing.
2. Photography Tips: For star photography, bring a tripod, use long exposure mode, and a wide-angle lens. The Golden Summit is an excellent spot for shooting the sea of clouds and sunrise.
3. Monkey Area Precautions: The Tibetan macaques in the ecological monkey area are cute but wild; do not feed them and keep your belongings safe.
4. Hot Spring Preparation: Bring swimwear and swim caps before soaking; drink plenty of water before and after, and limit each soak to no more than 20 minutes.
5. Off-Peak Travel: The period from after National Day to early November is ideal for avoiding crowds and enjoying a quieter autumn Emei.

As the sun sets, the afterglow bathes Emei Mountain’s red leaves, sketching a warm and peaceful scene. The mountain hot springs emit curling white mist, dancing with the evening breeze.

When night falls, the starry sky takes the stage, with thousands of stars twinkling against the dark canopy, occasionally streaked by meteors. Soaking in the hot springs while gazing at the stars, feeling the comfort and relaxation brought by the warm water, all worries fade away.

Autumn on Emei Mountain is a feast of nature’s gifts, waiting for your visit.