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In September, a friend who had known each other for many years decided to start an adventure and participated in the "Dragon Travels the World, Golden Peak on the Clouds" self-driving tour of Mount Emei, starting from Chengdu, exploring Chinese civilization during the journey, passing through the scenery along the Yellow River, and opening a feast of culture and nature
Self-driving to Mount Emei, from the vast fields to the majestic mountains, every place is full of poetry. On the road, stop, take pictures of the beautiful scenery along the way, and feel the artistic conception of the soul.
Once you arrive at Mount Emei, step into a sacred place that blends nature and culture. Climb to the top of the Golden Peak, overlook the sea of clouds, appreciate the magnificence of the fairyland, visit the Puxian Hall and Wannian Temple, and feel the baptism of Buddhist culture. Every step is heart-blowing.
A road trip is not just about enjoying the scenery but also about the temptation of tasting food. At the foot of the mountain, I experienced the local Leshan cuisine and felt the joy of eating in all directions with fireworks in the world.
If you are about to travel to Sichuan, you might as well pursue the mystery and beauty of the "Golden Dome on the Clouds" on National Day.
Day1: Chengdu - Leshan Giant Buddha - Emei Xueya Organic Tea Base
Day2: Several tours of Emei - Watch only Emei Mountain performance
Day3: Emei Mountain Golden Dome - Return
Starting from Chengdu, our self-driving journey officially begins, aiming for Leshan, a charming treasure city in Sichuan. Leshan is not only famous for its beautiful natural landscape, but also pays more attention to the use of historical and cultural heritage to make it fascinating, the winding mountain road is accompanied by verdant fields, people can't help but look forward to the upcoming beautiful experience, from Chengdu an hour and a half drive to the first stop of our trip - Leshan Giant Buddha.
The Leshan Giant Buddha is one of the largest cliff rock carvings in the world, built in the Tang Dynasty and completed in nearly 90 years. The 71-meter-tall Buddha is built at the confluence of the Min River, Tsing Yi River and Dadu River, facing the river and backed by green mountains, making it a rare cultural and natural wonder in the local area.
The construction of the Leshan Giant Buddha began in 713 AD, and the initiator was the Tang Dynasty monk Haitong. In order to protect the safety of waterway walking, Haitong carved a giant Buddha statue, hoping that Buddhist protection would bring peace. After many dynasties of repair, restoration and protection, the Leshan Giant Buddha has gradually become a symbol of Buddhist culture, carrying countless residents and awe.
The carving process of the Leshan Giant Buddha can be called the essence of ancient art. The facial expressions of the Buddha statues are serene and peaceful, and the meticulous carvings bear witness to the exceptional skills of the craftsmen. The overall structure of the Buddha statue combines the surrounding natural environment and cleverly utilizes the natural shape of the rocks, so it blends in with the mountain. The Buddha's head is wide, with drooping earlobes and a majestic body, symbolizing wisdom and compassion.
As a Buddhist holy place, the Leshan Giant Buddha is not only the crystallization of art, but also an important symbol of religious belief. It represents the ontology and pursuit of people's belief in Buddhism, and is the embodiment of Mahayana Buddhist thought. The Big Buddha faces the Min River, guarding passing ships and has attracted worship for thousands of years.
The Leshan Giant Buddha is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it an important destination for tourists from all over the world. Every year, tens of thousands of tourists and promoters come to appreciate this historic giant sculpture and feel its cultural heritage and spiritual power.
Visitors can enjoy the distribution of the Leshan Giant Buddha from different perspectives. Approaching the Buddha along the plank road can more thoroughly present its magnificent momentum. Standing at the foot of the Big Buddha and looking up at the Buddha statue is awe-inspiring and experiencing the perfect combination of culture and nature. In addition, the surrounding scenery is picturesque, and you can also visit the mountains and rivers in the Giant Buddha Scenic Area.
The Leshan Giant Buddha is not only a combination of art and faith, but also a commemorative of thousands of years of history. It has a unique charm that attracts visitors from all over the world, conveying the spirit of peace, compassion, and wisdom. Whether it is an exploration of Buddhist culture or a look back on history, the Leshan Giant Buddha instantly impresses visitors.
After visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha, drive to Mount Emei, the overall time is about 1 hour, and the leisurely afternoon to go to the Snow Buddha Organic Tea Base in Mount Emei has become a highlight of the trip. Emei Snow Bud, as one of China's famous teas, grows in the high mountains and clouds of Mount Emei, taking advantage of the unique natural conditions, and has become a treasure in the tea world.
When you step into the tea plantation, you will find that the scenery is refreshing, the ecological environment here is extremely good, and the tea trees thrive in the clouds and mist of the mountains, giving birth to fresh and sweet tea leaves. Taste a mouthful of Emei snow buds, the tea soup is smooth and fragrant, as if you are in the quiet mountains and forests of Eshan, bringing unparalleled sensory enjoyment.
What is even more fascinating is the handmade craftsmanship of Emei Snow Buds. As an intangible handicraft, this traditional craft comes from the accumulation of the thousand-year-old tea culture of Mount Emei, carrying the historical and cultural connotation of the past. This process is not only a process of tea making, but also an art. The inheritors of intangible cultural heritage regard tea picking and tea making as a practice of respecting heaven and earth, and through this skill, they convey their awe and love for nature.
During the annual tea season, the picking of Emei snow buds strictly follows the ancient method. In the misty tea garden, tea farmers set off early to pick the first tea buds in early spring. These buds and leaves go through multiple processes such as spreading, drying, greening, rolling, and drying, and each step requires exquisite manual skills and rich experience to ensure the quality and flavor of the tea.
I was fortunate to experience the process of tea making on the spot. Through the inheritance of skillful techniques and thoughts, we have deeply experienced the wisdom contained in tea culture. Behind every piece of tea is their years of accumulation and love for tea. This is not just a drink, but also a carrier of culture and emotion.
On the way out of the tea base, there was an indescribable emotion. Emei Xueya is not only a cup of tea, but also a bridge to dialogue with nature, and a reflection of people's inner pursuit of quality of life. In this self-driving tour, I got close to nature, felt the charm of traditional crafts, and had an understanding and admiration for tea culture.
On the
second day, go to visit the "Digital Tour Emei" exhibition hall, "Digital Tour Emei Mountain" is a must-visit place for tourists when traveling in Mount Emei, and its core is the "Digital Tour Emei Mountain Experience Center". This innovative showcase skillfully blends modern technology with the long-standing culture of Mount Emei, showcasing the landscape and history of this famous mountain with a new focus.
The experience center has a total area of about 2,000 square meters and is divided into 5 themed exhibition halls, where visitors can deeply explore the rich tourism resources of Mount Emei through advanced technologies such as 5G, AR/VR, 3D mapping, hologram and naked-eye 3D. It is not only a modern exhibition space, but also an immersive experience place that perfectly combines traditional landscape style and art.
In the "Digital Tour Emei Experience Center", you can use AR/VR virtual reality technology to feel like you are in the beautiful mountains and rivers of Mount Emei. Witness the swirling clouds and towering ancient trees. This immersive experience allows visitors to experience the natural charm and cultural heritage of Mount Emei more broadly.
It also uses 3D mapping technology to display the geological structure of Mount Emei through three-dimensional projection, as if it is traveling through hundreds of millions of years, carefully feeling the changes of the earth and the weight of history. In addition, hologram technology also adds a mysterious color, allowing visitors to appreciate the charm of Emei in the ever-changing images.
In addition, the experience center also interacts with the audience in real time through interactive installations, making visitors not only spectators but also participants. By touching the screen, you can explore different historical stories and cultural heritage, so as to deepen your understanding of Meishan. Interactivity elevates the traditional way of sightseeing to a new participatory experience.
The design concept of "Digital Tour Emei Experience Center" aims to break through the boundaries of traditional exhibitions, use technology as a bridge, connect history and the future, and convey the cultural and natural beauty of Mount Emei. Here, you can not only see the musical landscape of Emei, but also feel the cultural inheritance and humanistic spirit from ancient times to the present.
After visiting the "Digital Tour of Emei", it is recommended to taste the food, near the "Only Emei Mountain" performance, there is a distinctive stomping beef shop, next to the lush bamboo forest. This store is one of the food representatives of Leshan City.
Wooden beef is a traditional delicacy in Leshan City, known for its unique cooking techniques and rich cultural background. The production process of each wood-legged beef is quite particular, first of all, fresh beef is selected to ensure the tenderness of the meat. After the subsequent marinating flavors and seasonings, the beef is fully stimulated, making every bite even more delicious.
The key to making stilt beef is the special seasoning. The chef cooks the marinated beef at high temperatures quickly, a process that locks in the tenderness and juices in the meat, ensuring that the beef retains its rich taste after cooking.
In the final seasoning step, seasonings such as chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns are added to further enhance the texture of the beef. The spiciness of chili peppers intertwines with the numbness of Sichuan peppercorns, making every bite a stimulating and comforting enjoyment.
you come to Mount Emei for self-driving, there is another stop not to be missed, that is, the "Only Mount Emei" immersive stage play, which is a visual feast that shocks people's hearts. As a must-visit project for Leshan self-driving tours, it leads the audience to experience the past and present life of Mount Emei through a unique performance form, and appreciate the natural beauty and cultural heritage of this famous mountain.
The play is divided into three parts: "Above the Clouds", "In the Clouds" and "Under the Clouds", and each theater is composed of different chapters, presenting the rich stories and emotions of Mount Emei. The recommended order of viewing is "In the Clouds" (Entrance Foreground) - "Above the Clouds" (Scenario Experience Theater) - "Under the Clouds" (Village Experience Theater). This arrangement can not only gradually integrate into the play, but also maximize the charm of Mount Emei.
Due to time constraints, we only enjoyed the "Above the Clouds" part, but its shocking performance has been unforgettable for me. This section is divided into six separate chapters, each conveying a profound theme through exquisite dance and music.
The opening [Sea of Clouds] is like a grand picture of nature, and the dancers' light movements seem to be in dialogue with the fluttering clouds. The misty stage effect instantly brings the audience into the situation, and their hearts float with the rhythm of the dancers, exploring some kind of answer in life.
The next [Golden Top Ups and Downs] shows the diversity of life. Under the divine brilliance of the golden dome, the dancers used delicate body language to express people's different mentalities and destinies in difficult situations. The interaction in the dance conveys different attitudes in the face of challenges, which is thought-provoking.
The most dynamic chapter of "Chasing Dreams" vividly shows the emotional conflict between dreams and hometown through tense physical performances. The dancers showed their attachment to their hometown and the pursuit of their dreams on the stage, making the audience empathize and resonate deeply in the process of chasing their dreams.
[Fenggu Yunyan] is like a dream, and the audience seems to be in the clouds and mist, and the real and fantasy are intertwined, adding to the mystery. This design makes the whole performance more dreamy and intoxicating.
My favorite chapter is [The Thousand Years of Husband]. The dancers incarnated as the bearers of the past dynasties, showing the weight and tenacity of the history of Mount Emei. From the ancient mountain road to modern life, the dancers move forward in the long river of history with perseverance, conveying their respect and emotion for this heritage.
The final [Hometown Nostalgia] makes the audience wander between dreams and reality. Through a marching performance, the dancers show a vanished village and an eternal dream. Each scene is the embodiment of nostalgia, bringing longing and nostalgia for one's hometown, which resonates with people's heartstrings.
"Only Mount Emei" is not only a feast for the eyes and sounds, but also a journey of the soul.
of Mount Emei "The Golden Dome of Mount Emei, the palace on earth", this poetic description is the best interpretation of the golden dome. At the last stop of the self-driving amusement mountain along the Yellow Nine Provinces, we finally came to this sacred highland and checked in the misty golden peak. The magnificent landscape and mysterious atmosphere here are far more shocking than any palace on earth.
Mount Emei has three major sightseeing areas: the free area around Baoguo Temple at the foot of the mountain, the hiking area up the Qingyin Pavilion on the mountain, and the golden top area above Leidongping on the top of the mountain. We mainly went to monkey watching, then to Wannian Temple on the mountainside, and finally took the cable car to the Golden Peak to enjoy the scenery.
When traveling to Mount Emei, you must not miss to watch the group of "splashing monkeys", these little cuties are famous for their spirituality and mischief, if you are about to travel to Mount Emei, don't let go of this monkey watching guide~
In the ecological monkey area, the number of monkeys is as high as 500, and the monkeys here have become very close to tourists because of their close contact, and often take the initiative to approach to eat. Their intelligence and mischief can be observed up close and very interesting.
The monkeys in Wannian Temple have become accustomed to being fed by tourists, and their temperament is docile, and the monkeys here like to watch tourists, and can see the harmonious coexistence of man and nature, so do not miss the opportunity to interact with them intimately.
If you want to see lively monkeys, Hung Chun Ping is an ideal place, where wild monkeys move through the forest, so it's even more wild. The monkeys by the elephant washing pool are particularly clever and like to interact with tourists, they often appear by the pool, begging for food, which makes people laugh, and is a photo spot not to be missed.
On the way to the Jieyin Hall, the monkeys in Leidongping are also relatively wild, but there is no shortage of cleverness, and sometimes they even "block the road" to beg tourists for food.
While enjoying interacting with the monkeys, try to keep your distance from them to ensure your own safety and avoid injury. Respect nature, protect animals, and make travel more enjoyable.In the "Emei Memory" store in Jinding, the same monkey peripherals are sold~ Gifts with various monkey elements are worth taking home as souvenirs~
After seeing the monkeys, you can check in to Wannian Temple, which is located under the Camel Ridge of Mount Emei, which is a Buddhist holy place that coexists harmoniously with nature, with a history of more than 1,600 years. The temple is surrounded by green mountains, gurgling streams, clean environment, and fresh air, as if stepping into a fairyland on earth. The dry subtropical climate here gives Mannenji a beautiful scenery of the four distinct seasons, giving each season its own unique charm.
Wannian Temple not only attracts Buddhist believers but also serves as a source of inspiration for literati and writers. Historically, many literati such as Li Bai have traveled here and left behind popular poems. Their footprints and writings still echo in the temple today, adding to the cultural depth of the place and making Wannen Temple a meeting point of history and spirituality.
The beamless brick hall in the temple is famous for its unique architectural style. There is not a single slender beam in the entire hall, showing exquisite craftsmanship and profound cultural connotation. The bronze statue of Dai Puxian Bodhisattva riding an elephant enshrined in the hall, with a height of 7.3 meters and a weight of 62 tons, is the treasure of the town temple here. Its beautiful shape and serene demeanor symbolize the depth and compassion of Buddhism, which is awe-inspiring.
Walking through the temple, the smell of incense fills the air, accompanied by the soft sound of sutras, as if transporting one to another world. Every stone step and pillar seems to tell the story of the years, making people feel the weight of history and spiritual tranquility.
At Wannian Temple, you can not only appreciate the unique architectural style and natural beauty, but also experience the breadth and depth of Buddhist culture.
The last stop of the tour of Mount Emei, take the cable car to the Golden Peak, as the highest point of Mount Emei, with an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, checking in the misty Golden Dome, which is an unforgettable experience. The beauty here is far better than any palace on earth, especially on cloudy days, the golden dome seems to have become a fairyland on earth.
The Golden Peak has six wonders: the sea of clouds, the sunrise, the Buddha's light, the sacred lamp, the golden temple and the golden Buddha, which together form the charm of this mysterious highland. If you are lucky, you can even witness the breathtaking Buddha's light with your own eyes, which instantly makes people feel awe, as if they are in the spirituality of Buddhism.
In the center of the golden dome, there stands a statue of the Ten Directions. This bronze cast gilded Buddha statue is full of divine brilliance against the backdrop of flowing clouds. Its appearance is serious and sacred, as if guarding the land.
The temple complex with a golden roof is centered on the Puxian Hall, using a large amount of copper, and the building is built on the mountain, with a simple and elegant style. It not only shows the profound Buddhist cultural heritage, but also perfectly integrates with the surrounding natural landscape, forming a harmonious and beautiful picture.
At the Golden Peak, you can sit quietly and meditate to feel the tranquility and peace. In this sacred land, time seems to freeze, and the inner turmoil calms down.
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