Mount Emei

峨眉山

One of Buddhism's most sacred mountains in China, reaching 3,099 meters with ancient temples perched on dramatic cliffs and stunning mountain vistas. Visitors can hike trails through misty forests, encounter playful monkeys, and enjoy panoramic views from cable cars and mountain peaks.

Things to do

• Golden Summit Sunrise Hike — Climb to the 3,099-meter peak to witness dawn breaking over sea-of-clouds vistas, considered one of China's most sacred viewpoints.
• Cable Car to Jieyin Hall — Ride the cable car up the mountainside to this ancient Buddhist temple complex perched on cliff edges with vertiginous views.
• Baoguo Temple Visit — Explore this sprawling Ming Dynasty temple complex at the mountain base with ornate halls, gardens, and cultural relics.
• Monkey Encounters on Trails — Navigate forest paths where playful macaques roam freely; keep food secured and maintain respectful distance from these curious primates.
• Ten Thousand Buddhas Summit — Trek to Wanfo Summit through misty bamboo forests to reach another panoramic peak with ancient Buddhist monuments.
• Cleansing Pool and Waterfall Hike — Walk trails past mountain streams and waterfalls where pilgrims traditionally perform ritual ablutions before ascending to sacred sites.
• Night Temple Lantern Experience — Stay overnight at a mountain temple to participate in evening Buddhist ceremonies and experience monk life with candlelit rituals.

Food to try

• Bamboo Shoots Simmered in Broth — Fresh local bamboo shoots harvested from Mount Emei's forests, braised with mountain herbs and served in light broth at temple restaurants.
• Tea Leaf and Wild Mushroom Stir-fry — Local mountain mushrooms and tender tea leaves combined in light oil, a signature vegetarian dish reflecting the area's agricultural traditions.
• Emei Mountain Snow Pea Shoots — Tender pea shoots unique to high-altitude cultivation around Mount Emei, simply blanched and dressed with sesame oil and garlic.
• Buddhist Vegetarian Temple Lunch — Multi-course meatless meals served at mountain temples featuring seasonal vegetables, tofu preparations, and medicinal herbs representative of Buddhist dietary practices.
• Sichuan Mountain Preserved Vegetables — Fermented greens and pickled produce made from local mountain vegetables, providing tangy, umami-rich accompaniments to rice throughout your stay.

Local customs & good to know

• Respectful Temple Behavior — Remove shoes or follow posted guidelines when entering sacred halls, keep voices low, and ask permission before photographing monks or religious ceremonies.
• Early Morning Mountain Etiquette — Start hikes before dawn to reach Golden Summit for sunrise with local pilgrims; this tradition reflects centuries of Buddhist reverence for dawn as a sacred time.
• Monkey Safety Protocol — Never feed or make direct eye contact with wild macaques, keep backpacks zipped and secured, and step aside calmly if monkeys approach rather than running or showing fear.
• Physical Altitude Acclimatization — Plan at least one rest day if arriving from lowlands, drink plenty of water, and consider staying at mid-mountain temples to acclimate before summiting at 3,099 meters.