The Mount Emei

Mount Emei is a 3,099-meter-tall mountain in Sichuan Province and is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains in China. It is regarded as the residence on earth of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, usually known as Puxian in Chinese. With the Giant Buddha in Leshan, Mount Emei is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

How Go To the Mount Emei?

Mount Emei is 175 kilometers away from Chengdu. Except to take a car organized by a travel agency, another better way is to take the high-speed train from the South or the East Railway Station Chengdu to Emeishan high-speed railway station. Some of these trains pass through Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. The running time by train is between 1hr and 1h30.

The Giant Buddha of Leshan City is just over 37 kilometers away from Emeishan City. So you can visit first the Leshan Giant Buddha by high-speed train, then continue the train to Mount Emeishan.

When to Visit the Mount Emei?

The best time to visit Emei Mountain is in spring and autumn. In spring, the sun shines brightly, and the valley is covered with Azaleas. During this period, you can also take part in the Mount Emei pilgrimage. It is cool in summer, and you can see a beautiful Chinese painting, with clouds floating among golden leaves and bronze statues shining in the sun.

Many tourists come to Mount Emei in summer, especially from Chengdu, where it is very hot and stuffy. However, summer is also the rainy season. It is very cold in winter, especially at the top of the mountain. So you are suggested to take some warm clothes.

Mount Emei has a long history. The first temple was built on the mountain during the Han Dynasty, marking the place as the birthplace of Buddhism. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Mount Emei became one of the most important Buddhist centers in China. Unfortunately, after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, many of its 100 temples were abandoned. However, since 1976, enormous efforts have been made to restore the building to its glory. Today, Buddhist philosophy has become the main body of Mount Emei culture. Architecture, music, caves, and paintings all reflect a rich religious culture.

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