Emei Mountain Ultimate Guide: Climb the Golden Summit to Watch the Sea of Clouds and Encounter the Magical Monkeys!

A fairy mountain with scenic views all year round, this guide will help you explore Emei beyond just checking in

This is definitely a must-climb fairy mountain when visiting Sichuan! The beauty of Emei Mountain changes completely with the four seasons. I've organized the guide for you～

Must-See Highlights:

🏔️ Stunning Scenery at the Golden Summit: Stand at the Golden Summit at an altitude of 3,077 meters, overlooking the magnificent sea of clouds and enjoying the sunrise’s golden light (on clear days, you might even witness the rare Buddha’s light). The 48-meter-tall Samantabhadra statue is solemn and sacred, serving as the pilgrimage core and a prime photo spot.

🐒 Ecological Monkey Area Interaction: Between Hongchunping and Qingyin Pavilion lies a natural ecological monkey area where you can get up close with the Emei spiritual monkeys. They are cute and playful; it’s recommended to buy monkey feed in advance and avoid carrying food outside the plank road area.

🌿 Qingyin Pavilion for Summer Leisure: The “Double Bridge Qingyin” under the Niuxin Pavilion at Qingyin Pavilion is one of Emei’s ten scenic spots. Surrounded by mountains and water with pavilions scattered around and rippling green waves, it’s a great place to experience the gentle charm of southern landscapes and enjoy summer leisure.

🙏 Ancient Temples and Zen Culture Experience: Don’t miss Baoguo Temple (the mountain entrance with an imperial plaque by Emperor Kangxi), Wannian Temple (a thousand-year-old temple with a Ming Dynasty beamless brick hall and precious Buddhist relics), and Fuhu Temple (the largest nunnery on the mountain with a tranquil environment).

Practical Information:

• Address: Huangwan Town, Emeishan City, Leshan

• Opening Hours: Open all day, but specific times for attractions, sightseeing buses, and cable cars vary. For example, sightseeing buses from Huangwan Visitor Center to Leidongping usually operate in peak season.

• Tickets:

◦ Peak Season (March-November): 185 RMB/person

◦ Off-Season (December-January): 110 RMB/person

◦ Round-trip sightseeing bus for the whole mountain: 90 RMB/person

◦ Golden Summit Cable Car: 65 RMB up, 55 RMB down in peak season

◦ Wannian Cable Car: 65 RMB up, 45 RMB down

◦ Some temples charge an additional incense and flower ticket, about 6-10 RMB.

• Transportation:

◦ High-speed Rail: About 1 hour from Chengdu East or South Station to Emei Mountain Station, then transfer to the park shuttle bus.

◦ Self-driving: Navigate to “Emei Mountain Huangwan Visitor Center.”

Itinerary Suggestions:

• One-day Tour (Compact): Baoguo Temple → Sightseeing bus to Leidongping → Walk or cable car to Golden Summit → Return to the foot of the mountain after visiting the summit.

• Two-day Tour (Classic):

◦ Day 1: Baoguo Temple → Fuhu Temple → Qingyin Pavilion → Ecological Monkey Area → Stay at Hongchunping or Golden Summit.

◦ Day 2: Golden Summit sunrise → Wannian Temple → Optional hot spring on the way down (such as Lingxiu Hot Spring).

Photo Tips:

• Golden Summit: Best to shoot the Samantabhadra statue and sea of clouds in soft light at dawn or dusk. Use a telephoto lens to capture the distant Gongga Snow Mountain.

• Qingyin Pavilion: Niuxin Pavilion, Double Bridge Qingyin, and Qingyin Flat Lake are classic composition spots; use reflections and slow shutter speed to show the softness of flowing water.

• Monkey Area: Keep a safe distance, use a medium to long telephoto lens to capture the monkeys’ natural expressions, and take good care of your equipment.

Food Recommendations:

After descending, try authentic Emei flavors:

• Tofu Pudding: Bone broth base with steamed beef or pork intestines, recommended at small shops at the foot of the mountain, about 15 RMB/bowl.

• Emei Vegetarian Feast: Offered at Wannian Temple and Baoguo Temple, mimics meat dishes with exquisite craftsmanship, about 50 RMB per person.

• Braised Duck and Beef Soup Pot: The braised duck is fragrant without being greasy, and the soup pot mainly features beef offal, a local specialty.

Accommodation Suggestions:

• Golden Summit Area (e.g., Golden Summit Hotel): Convenient for watching sunrise and sea of clouds but more expensive and requires advance booking.

• Baoguo Temple/Foot of the Mountain Area (e.g., various hot spring hotels): More options, cost-effective, convenient transportation, and some hotels offer natural hot springs.

• Temple Accommodation (e.g., Leidongping, Xixiang Pool temples): Experience a unique Buddhist cultural atmosphere, relatively cheap, but inquire on-site.

It would be such a loss to come to Sichuan without climbing Emei Mountain!