Mount Emei-Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area

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Scenic Spot Introduction

The Mount Emei-Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area encompasses Mount Emei, one of China’s four famous Buddhist mountains, and the Leshan Giant Buddha, the world’s largest stone Buddha statue. It is a world-class scenic area that integrates natural beauty, Buddhist culture, and historical relics. Mount Emei is renowned for its majestic, elegant, exotic, ancient, and serene natural landscapes. With an elevation of 3099 meters, the mountain offers varying scenery in each season, earning it the reputation of “the most beautiful scenery in the world.”

The construction of the Leshan Giant Buddha began in the first year of Kaiyuan in the Tang Dynasty (713 AD) and was completed over 90 years. Standing at 71 meters tall, it is a masterpiece that combines ancient Chinese sculptural and architectural arts. The entire scenic area is not only a Buddhist holy site but also a world cultural heritage that demonstrates the harmonious unity of Chinese culture and nature.

Must-Visit Attractions

  1. The Golden Summit of Mount Emei

    • The highest point of Mount Emei, standing at 3099 meters, it offers the best vantage point for watching sunrises and sea of clouds.
    • The Buddha statues surrounding the summit are splendid and golden, marking it as the most significant Buddhist holy site on Mount Emei.
    • Visitors can witness the famous “Buddha’s Light” wonder, renowned as the foremost of the “Five Wonders.”
    • Iconic structures like the Huacang Temple and the Golden Hall are located here.
    • Suggested visiting duration: 180 minutes, ideally arriving early to watch the sunrise.

  2. Leshan Giant Buddha

    • Situated at the confluence of the Min River, Qingyi River, and Dadu River, the statue was carved into the mountainside.
    • The Giant Buddha stands 71 meters tall, with a head height of 14.7 meters and ears measuring 7 meters long.

景点介绍

乐山大佛

鼻长5.6米

  • The nose is 5.6 meters long
  • Visitors can take a boat to view it from the river or get a close-up view from the plank road
  • The buildings of Lingyun Temple around the Giant Buddha are well preserved
  • Suggested visiting time: 120 minutes, combining water and land routes for exploration

  1. Wannian Temple

    • Built in the Eastern Han Dynasty, it is one of the oldest temples on Mount Emei
    • The temple treasures a large collection of Buddhist artifacts and historical documents
    • With a rigorous architectural layout, the temple halls are magnificent
    • Cherry blossoms in spring offer breathtaking scenery
    • Suggested visiting time: 90 minutes, visitors can attend morning and evening Buddhist services

  2. Baoguo Temple

    • The first temple at the gate of Mount Emei, built in the Ming Dynasty
    • Ancient trees tower in the temple, creating a serene environment
    • Well-preserved buildings provide an important place to understand the history of Mount Emei
    • Vegetarian meals are available, allowing visitors to experience temple cuisine
    • Suggested visiting time: 60 minutes, suitable as a starting point for hiking

  3. Fuhu Temple

    • Located halfway up the mountain, it is a significant Zen practice site
    • With simple and unsophisticated architecture, the environment is quiet and serene
    • Visitors can enjoy the unique “sea of clouds” landscape
    • Suggested visiting time: 60 minutes

  4. Qingyin Pavilion

    • Named for its tinkling spring water, located on the waist of Mount Emei
    • Surrounded by beautiful scenery, it is an important rest stop
    • Visitors can taste the famous Emei Zhuyeqing tea
    • Suggested visiting time: 45 minutes

参观建议

  1. Best Touring Route

    • Day 1: Baoguo Temple → Wannian Temple → Qingyin Pavilion → Fuhu Temple → Accommodation Center
    • Day 2: Early morning departure → Watch the sunrise at Jinding → Descend the mountain
    • Day 3: Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (suggested to combine water and land routes for exploration)
    • Visitors can choose to take the cable car based on their physical condition

  2. Visiting Schedule Arrangements

    • It is recommended to arrange at least two days for Mount Emei
    • For the sunrise at Jinding, depart at 3-4 am
    • It is suggested to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha in the morning for optimal lighting
    • During peak seasons, allow sufficient time for queuing

  3. Practical Tips

    • Physical Planning: Arrange your itinerary reasonably, you can choose to take the cable car
    • Equipment Suggestions: Comfortable hiking shoes, warm clothing, and rain gear
    • Monkey Prevention Measures: Do not carry exposed food, keep personal belongings secure
    • Photography Suggestions: Morning and evening light is best, be cautious of moisture

交通指南

  1. External Transportation
    • Airplane: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport → Leshan/Mount Emei (about 2 hours by car)
    • High-speed Train: Chengdu East Railway Station → Mount Emei Station (about 1 hour)
    • Bus: Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station → Mount Emei (about 2.5 hours)
    • High-speed train is recommended.

景点介绍

Inter-scenic Area Transportation

  • Mount Emei → Leshan: Take the tourist shuttle bus (about 1 hour)
  • Inside Mount Emei: Well-developed sightseeing bus and cable car systems
  • Leshan Giant Buddha: You can choose to walk on the plank road or take a boat to view it
  • It is recommended to understand the cable car operating hours ahead of time

Scenic Area Transportation

  • JinDing cable car: Reception Center → JinDing
  • WanNian cable car: BaoGuo Temple → WanNian Temple
  • Sightseeing bus: Connects major scenic spots
  • It is suggested to use them in a reasonable combination to save energy

Surrounding Food Recommendations

  1. Emei Tofu
  • A vegetarian delicacy with a long history
  • Recommended: WanNian Temple Vegetarian Restaurant
  • Per capita consumption: 30-50 yuan
  1. Leshan Bobo Chicken
  • Local specialty snack, spicy and delicious
  • Recommended: Time-honored shops in Leshan downtown
  • Per capita consumption: 40-60 yuan
  1. Emei Crisp Candy
  • Traditional specialty, crispy texture
  • Recommended purchase at official stores
  • Price: 30-100 yuan/box
  1. Zhu Ye Qing Tea
  • Famous specialty tea from Mount Emei
  • Tea tasting experience available at Qing Yin Pavilion
  • Price: 100-1000 yuan/jin

Special Reminders

  1. Safety Precautions
  • Beware of monkeys, do not feed them
  • The mountain path is steep, so be careful of slipping
  • JinDing has a high altitude, so keep warm
  • Steps can be slippery in rainy weather, walk carefully
  1. Civilized Touring
  • Respect Buddhist culture
  • Keep quiet in temples
  • Be considerate when taking photos
  • Follow scenic area regulations
  1. Weather Preparedness
  • Large temperature differences on the mountain, prepare for both warm and cool weather
  • It often rains, bring waterproof gear
  • Sun protection measures are essential
  • Pay attention to the weather forecast
  1. Photography Suggestions
  • Arrive at JinDing 2 hours before sunrise
  • The best light for Leshan Giant Buddha is in the morning
  • Sea of clouds often appears in the early morning
  • Keep cameras away from moisture
  1. Other Precautions
  • Book tickets and accommodations ahead of time
  • Prepare an appropriate amount of cash
  • Bring enough drinking water and dry food
  • Purchase travel insurance