Mount Emei, the mysterious sacred place of the Buddha,is located near the mysterious 30° north latitude, and is stuated in the southwestern part of Sichuan Province. Since ancient times, it has been known as the "Pu Xian, the eldest son of the Buddha; Mount Emei, the leader of the mountain in the world." Emei Mountain is rich in natural heritage and is known as the natural “plant kingdom”, “animal paradise” and “geological museum”. The cultural heritage is extremely profound. It is a Buddhist holy place in China. It is known as the “Buddha Paradise” and is the dojo of the Samantabhadra. With its natural landscape of "great, beautiful, uniqure, wonderful, spirit" and profound Buddhist culture, it has been included in the "World Cultural and Natural Heritage List" by UNESCO in 1996.
What to see in Mount Emei?
Standing on the southwestern edge of the Sichuan Basin, Mount Emei s the general name for the First Emei Mountain, the Second Emei Mountain and the the Third Emei Mountain. Due to the height and location of Mount Emei, there are four seasons from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain.
Emei Mountain Scenic Area has become a new multi-functional complex glamour new scenic area integrating recuperation, health care, culture, entertainment, sightseeing and food. The Emeishan tourist line has become a humanized, personalized and exciting travel hotline. Emei Mountain attractions include:the Golden Peak, Wannian Temple, Baoguo Temple, Leidongping Scenic Spot, Qingyin Pavilion, Yixiantian Scenic Spot, Jieyin Temple, Washing Pool, Hongyuping Scenic Spot, Fuhu Temple, the 999-Bend Road, etc... On the mountain there are four scenic regions: Baoguo Temple, Wannian Temple, Qingyin Pavilion and Golden Summit.
Baoguo Temple
Baoguo Temple is the center of Buddhist activities in Mt. Emei. The climate here is mild and trees are verdant and serried. Visiting this temple, you can enjoy either the renowned ancient buildings and precious Buddhist cultural relics or peculiar natural attractions and rare animals and plants.
Facing the east, Baoguo Temple awaits the arrival of the rising sun in the morning and sends off the setting sun in the dusk. In front of the temple gate there is a pair of stone lions carved in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). They are lively, grand and mighty, like door guards protecting the temple as well as the Mt. Emei. A large engraved stone slab hangs above the gate with the name of the temple on it which was written by the Emperor Kangxi (1654-1722) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Qingyin Pavilion
Qingyin Pavilion is in the middle part of Mt. Emei. It is no exaggeration to say that the whole area of the pavilion is a fine picture with green hills and blue water. At its high point there are towering exquisite and refined pavilions. Two gloriettes stand in the middle of the region of Qingyin Pavilion. There is one stone bridge crossing on the Black Dragon River (The color of the water is dark green.) and the White Dragon River (The color of the water is ivory.) on each side of the gloriette. The two bridges are like a pair of wings, so a beautiful name was given to them: Double Flying Bridges. In the lower point, you can see the Black Dragon River on the right of the Cattle Heart Pavilion and White Dragon River on its left.
The billowing waves strike the huge stone in the green pond giving out the roaring sound time and again and echoing around the surrounding valleys and woods. The water splashing in all directions like broken pieces of crystal pearls and jade and forms a series of water drops flying in the air and then drop into the pond. How amazing it is! In the night with full moon and soft wind, all is quiet and there is only the melodious sound of water resounding in the air. Listening to the clear sound, your heart will be in a state of quietness and you will forget the existence of yourself, as if you had introjected with the nature and hovered in the universe.
Wannian Temple
T
he scenery in Wannian Temple is pleasant all the year around but especially in autumn.In autumn there is heat of summer at the foot of the mountain even though snow has fallen on the top, but it is the best season to visit the Wannian Temple. Here red leaves are reflected in the water and when a breeze comes the leaves dance in the pond forming red waves glistening in the sunlight. So thrilling! Also in the Wannian Temple scenic region, there are villages creating a peaceful and intoxicating picture.Looking around beside the White Water Pond, the wind touches the mountains, wobbling the trees making a howling sound; red leaves have a dance to the wind in the air; the ripply stream water goes rightly through the temple and is crooning and echoing the wind.
Golden Summit
T
he Golden Summit is the symbol of Mount Emei. And Its main peak, the Golden Summit, is 3079.3 meters (10,103 feet) above the sea level, seemingly reaching the sky. Standing on the top of it, you can enjoy the snowy mountains in the west and the vast plain in the east.
Golden Summit gets its name from a bronze house which was there. The weather here is cold in all year round but its natural scenery is wonderful. The four great spectacles of Golden Summit and also of Mt. Emei are sunrise, clouds sea, Buddha rays and saint lamps. They are the essence of the beauty and mysterious charm of the Mt. Emei. In the following paragraphs detailed descriptions of the four great spectacles will be given.
How to get to Emei Mountain?
Self-driving route: Chengdu-Jingkun Expressway-Chengle Expressway-
Chengdu Ring Expressway-Lehan Expressway-Shuhong Road-End Point.
Public transit:
By Aviation: Emei Mountain Scenic Area is close to the three major airports of Chengdu, Mianyang and
Chongqing. There are many domestic and international flights every day. Among them, only 120 kilometers away from Chengdu Airport, it is a full expressway, 90 minutes by car.
By Train: Emei Railway Station is about 10 kilometers from Mount Emei Scenic Area and about 15 minutes by car.
High-speed rail: Chengdu East Railway Station, Chengdu South Railway Station or Chengdu Shuangliu Airport can take the Chengmianle Intercity High-speed Railway to get off at Emeishan Station (about 1.5 hours).