Late August in Sichuan is warm, humid, and often wrapped in mist — the perfect season to experience the mystical beauty of Mount Emei (峨眉山). As one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains, Emeishan (峨眉山) combines dramatic mountain scenery, ancient temples, lush forests, and spiritual tranquility into an unforgettable journey.
Although many travelers spend several days exploring the mountain, it is still possible to experience its highlights in a single long and rewarding day trip from Leshan (乐山).
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| Emeishan Tourism Map |
Early Morning Departure from Leshan (乐山)
The day began before sunrise at Holiday Inn Express Leshan City Square. The streets outside were still quiet, with only a few breakfast stalls beginning to prepare steaming buns and noodles for early commuters.
I headed to the bus stop near our hotel to catch Bus 601, the convenient public bus connecting Leshan (乐山) city to Emeishan (峨眉山). The ride was comfortable and inexpensive, gradually leaving behind the urban streets of Leshan (乐山) as the scenery transformed into greener countryside and rolling hills.
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| On Bus 601 to Emeishan |
After arriving at the Emeishan Tour Passenger Transport Center (峨眉山旅游客运中心), the mountain adventure truly began.
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| Emeishan Tour Passenger Transport Center |
The transport center was already bustling with visitors carrying backpacks, umbrellas, and hiking poles. Since private vehicles cannot access much of the scenic mountain area, everyone continues using the official shuttle buses. I purchased the full round-trip shuttle bus ticket, which made the entire journey straightforward and efficient.
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| Ticketing offices inside Emeishan Tour Passenger Transport Center |
The Scenic Shuttle Bus Ride to Leidongping (雷洞坪)
From Baoguo Temple Bus Station (报国寺车站) (located adjacent to Emeishan Tour Passenger Transport Center (峨眉山旅游客运中心)), I boarded the shuttle bus bound for Leidongping Bus Station (雷洞坪车站).
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| Row of shuttle buses at Baoguo Temple Bus Station |
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| Entrance and shuttle bus ticket |
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Terms and conditions of the entry ticket
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| On the shuttle bus waiting to depart |
The journey took roughly two hours and climbed steadily through dense mountain forests and winding cliffside roads. Outside the windows, the scenery constantly changed — bamboo groves, deep valleys, waterfalls hidden among rocks, and mountain ridges disappearing into clouds.
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| Departing the bus station |
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| Scenery along the shuttle bus ride |
The higher we climbed, the cooler the temperature became. The humid summer heat from Leshan (乐山) slowly gave way to refreshing mountain air. Thick mist drifted between the trees, giving the mountain an almost mystical atmosphere.
Occasionally, the shuttle bus passed hikers trekking uphill on foot, some beginning multi-day pilgrimages toward the summit.
Walking Through the Forest to Jieyin Temple (接引殿)
After arriving at Leidongping Bus Station (雷洞坪车站), the next stage required a scenic 1.5 km walk to Jieyin Temple (接引殿).
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| Leidongping Bus Station |
The road wound gently through towering trees and mist-covered forest. Despite the number of visitors, the mountain still felt peaceful and spiritual. The cool air, birdsong, and occasional temple bells created a calming atmosphere.
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| Uphill walk towards Jieyin Temple |
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| Sight of the cable car ropeway to the Golden Summit |
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| Arriving Jieyin Temple |
Along the route, the famous Emeishan (峨眉山) monkeys occasionally appeared near the railings and resting areas. They were clearly accustomed to tourists and watched everyone carefully, hoping for food. Warning signs everywhere reminded visitors to secure their belongings and avoid feeding them.
The late August greenery was especially beautiful. Everything looked vibrant after the summer rains, with moss-covered stones and dripping leaves adding to the mountain’s charm.
Ascending to the Golden Summit (金顶) by Cable Car
At Jieyin Temple (接引殿), I purchased a cable car ticket for the final ascent to the summit.
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| Split junction at Jieyin Temple for those who want to walk up to Golden Summit instead |
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| Cable car ticket office |
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| Entry to the cable car ride |
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Reprinted ticket with the cable car ride
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| Queue for the cable car ride |
The cable car ride itself was spectacular. As it rose above the forest canopy, the landscape opened dramatically. Layers of mountains stretched endlessly into the distance while clouds floated below like waves across the valleys.
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| View of the surrounding mountains from the cable car |
Then came the arrival at the breathtaking Golden Summit (金顶) of Mount Emei (峨眉山).
Exploring the Golden Summit (金顶)
The Golden Summit (金顶) felt like a world above the clouds.
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| View of the cable car station against a sea of clouds |
Towering over the summit area was the magnificent golden statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (十方普贤菩萨), shining brilliantly even through the shifting mist. Pilgrims quietly circled the statue in prayer while travelers paused to admire the panoramic mountain views.
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| Mystical view of the Samantabhadra Bodhisattva golden statue |
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| Prayers at Woyun Temple |
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| The Samantabhadra Bodhisattva golden statue, highlight of the Golden Summit |
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| Walk around the golden statue |
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| Elephant sculpture |
At over 3,000 meters above sea level, the temperature was significantly cooler than below. The weather changed rapidly — one moment revealing sweeping blue skies and distant mountain ranges, the next hiding everything inside thick white fog. The constantly changing clouds became part of the experience itself. Sometimes the mist would suddenly part, revealing dramatic cliffs and endless mountain peaks before slowly closing again.
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| Temples around the Golden Summit |
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| Huazang Temple |
The summit observation platforms offered some of the most unforgettable views in Sichuan. Looking down at the sea of clouds beneath the mountain peaks felt almost unreal.
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| Pathway towards Wanfo Summit |
Returning Down the Mountain
After spending time exploring the summit area, taking photographs, and enjoying the cool mountain atmosphere, I began the journey back down.
The route retraced the same path: cable car back to Jieyin Temple (接引殿), followed by the forest walk to Leidongping Bus Station (雷洞坪车站), and finally the long shuttle bus ride descending toward Baoguo Temple Bus Station (报国寺车站).
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| Waiting for the cable car ride to descend |
As the shuttle bus wound down the mountain roads, the forests slowly transitioned back into warmer lower-altitude scenery. The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the mist, creating beautiful golden reflections among the trees.
Evening Walk Near Baoguo Temple (报国寺)
Back at the lower mountain area, I decided to take a short walk through the Yingbin Square (迎宾广场) en route to Baoguo Temple (报国寺).
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| Yingbin Square |
This quieter section provided a completely different atmosphere from the dramatic summit above. Gentle streams flowed through the forest while stone pathways curved beneath ancient trees.
Along the route, I stopped at the charming bell pavilion overlooking the surrounding greenery. Nearby, the beautiful Xiujia Waterfall (秀甲瀑布) cascaded gracefully over rocks into the stream below. The sound of flowing water combined with the cool evening air created a calm and relaxing ending to the day.
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| Bell Pavilion |
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| Xiujia Waterfall |
Compared to the grandeur of the Golden Summit (金顶), this area felt intimate and peaceful — a reminder that Emeishan’s (峨眉山) beauty exists not only at its highest peaks, but also within its forests, temples, and quiet corners.
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| Buddhism Wall Carvings |
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| Carvings of The Pregnant Elephant in Dream |
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| Intro to The Pregnant Elephant in Dream |
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| Sakyamuni sculpture |
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| Intro to Sakyamuni sculpture |
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| Hua Yan sculpture |
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| Pilgrims Holy Shrine |
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| Intro to Pilgrims Holy Shrine |
Returning to Leshan (乐山)
As evening approached, I returned to the Emeishan Tour Passenger Transport Center (峨眉山旅游客运中心) and boarded Bus 601 back to Leshan (乐山).
The ride back felt much quieter after the long day of climbing, walking, and sightseeing. Looking out the window, the mountain slowly disappeared behind layers of evening mist.
Eventually, the familiar city lights of Leshan (乐山) appeared once again, marking the end of an unforgettable one-day adventure.
Back at Holiday Inn Express Leshan City Square, exhaustion quickly set in — but so did the satisfaction of having experienced one of China’s most sacred and beautiful mountains in a single remarkable day.
Final Thoughts
A one-day trip to Emeishan (峨眉山) is long but highly rewarding, especially for travelers based in Leshan (乐山). The transportation system is efficient, the scenery is spectacular, and the combination of forests, temples, waterfalls, and cloud-covered peaks makes every stage of the journey memorable.
Late August brings lush greenery and dramatic misty landscapes, though visitors should prepare for changing mountain weather with light jackets or rain gear.
From the towering Golden Summit (金顶) to the peaceful Xiujia Waterfall (秀甲瀑布) below, Emeishan (峨眉山) offers far more than just mountain views — it delivers a journey filled with nature, spirituality, and unforgettable atmosphere.
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