[Mount Emei] Must-See Spots for an Unforgettable One-Day Getaway

Trip Travellers MagiciansSep 18, 2025

Contents

Trip Planner
Mount Emei Itinerary Overview
- Baoguo Temple
- Fuhu Temple
- Golden Dome
- Wannian Temple
- Emeishan Ecological Monkey Area

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Explore Mount Emei with ease using these handpicked one-day itineraries that highlight all the essentials—iconic sights, authentic local eats, and smart transport tips to make the most of your time. Whether you’re planning a family day out, catching up with friends, or just need a quick weekend escape, these routes are perfect for a relaxed yet fulfilling adventure. Your Mount Emei day trip starts now!

Destination

Emeishan City

China

Begin your spiritual journey at Baoguo Temple, then admire the serene Maitreya statue at Fuhu Temple, and continue on to Jinding to pay homage to the majestic golden Bodhisattva statue—each stop offering a deeper connection to Emei’s rich Buddhist heritage.

Discover the historical marvel of the Wuliang Hall at Wannian Temple, then head to the monkey zone for a playful encounter with Mount Emei’s wild residents—a perfect blend of nature's charm and ancient architectural brilliance.

journey

Baoguo Temple->Fuhu Temple->Jinding->Wannian Temple->Emeishan Ecological Monkey Area

Just a short distance from the entrance to Mount Emei, Baoguo Temple is often the first stop for visitors exploring the scenic area. Originally built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, it holds deep historical and cultural significance. The temple’s name plaque was inscribed by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, adding to its prestige.

As the heart of Buddhist life on the mountain, Baoguo Temple is home to several important halls, including the Maitreya Hall, the Main Hall, the Seven Buddha Hall, and the Hall of Samantabhadra. Today, it also serves as the headquarters of the Emeishan Buddhist Association and is the site of many major religious ceremonies throughout the year.

Address: Mount Emei Scenic Area, Huangwan Township, Emeishan City, Leshan, Sichuan Province

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily

Baoguo Temple - where it all begins and endsYou know, there's a special magic to traveling returning to where you started and realizing you're a completely different person. That Mount Emei, which seemed like a pretty picture on the first day, has now become a part of you. That your knees remember every stone, and your lungs remember every breath of air at an altitude of three thousand meters. Baoguo Temple awaited us below. And it was the perfect end point.Baoguo, also known as the "Temple of Gratitude to the Motherland," stands at the very beginning of the trail, at the foot of the mountain. On the first day, we were in such a hurry to get going that we left it for last, like a delicious dessert saved for last. And we did the right thing. The temple is about 450 years old. It was founded during the Ming Dynasty, in the 16th century, and since then it has faithfully fulfilled its purpose: meeting pilgrims, seeing them off to the top, and welcoming them back when they descend, tired and happy. Can you imagine how many stories it has witnessed? How many knees, like mine, have trembled before its gates?In the Hall of the Seven Buddhas, I encountered the purple bronze Huayan Pagoda. The same one, with 14 stories and 4,700 small Buddhas on its body. But the temple's crowning glory is, without a doubt, the bell. A huge bronze bell, weighing over 10 tons. Locals call it the "Bashu Bell King" (named after the ancient kingdom of Sichuan). Transportation: Take bus #5 in Emeishan; it goes directly to the temple. The price is only 1.5 yuan. It's almost ridiculous: 1.5 yuan for a ticket to a place that will nourish your memories for years. Buses run every 10 minutes, so you won't have to wait even during rush hour.You can, of course, take Didi—it's about 20 yuan and takes 25 minutes. But if you're not as exhausted as we were from descending the mountain, the bus is a more authentic option. You'll get locals to join you, you'll enjoy the scenery outside the window.

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Originally constructed during the Tang Dynasty and later rebuilt in the Southern Song Dynasty’s Shaoxing period, Fuhu Temple has a long and storied history. It saw another major reconstruction during the Qing Dynasty’s Shunzhi era, led by Monk Guanzhi and his disciples. At that time, it was named “Huxi Zen Forest,” though it’s more commonly known today as Fuhu Temple.

There are two fascinating legends about how the temple got its name. One tells of a tiger that once attacked someone nearby, prompting the monks to build the Zunsheng Pagoda to subdue the beast, renaming the temple in the process. The other theory suggests that the mountain behind the temple resembles a crouching tiger, inspiring the name.

Address: Mount Emei Scenic Area, Leshan, Sichuan Province

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily

Fuhu Temple, also known as Fuhu Chan Monastery or Huxi Hermitage, is located at the foot of Mount Emei in Sichuan Province, adjacent to Baoguo Temple. Originally built in the Jin Dynasty and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed "Huxi Hermitage." Later, due to a tiger infestation in the area, the monks built a sacred pillar to suppress the tigers, and the temple was renamed "Fuhu Temple." Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty inscribed the name "Ligou Garden" for Fuhu Temple. Looking out from Ligou Garden, one sees that the rooftops surrounding the courtyard remain free of withered branches and leaves throughout the year, and the entire temple is spotless, considered a miracle by the world, hence the name "Ligou Garden."

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The Golden Summit crowns the very top of Mount Emei and is one of the mountain’s most iconic attractions. Sitting at an elevation of 3,079 meters, it’s home to the breathtaking, four-faced golden statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva—an unmissable highlight for any visitor. Standing 48 meters tall, this bronze masterpiece is not only the tallest golden Buddha statue in the world, but also the first to depict Samantabhadra in a four-faced, ten-direction form.

Beside the statue sits Huayan Temple, a serene place for prayer and reflection. The temple complex features three main halls, with the third—Samantabhadra Hall—also known as the Golden Hall or simply the “Golden Summit.” It’s the tallest hall on Mount Emei and displays majestic plaques that read “Golden Summit,” “Endless Vows,” and “Majestic Huazang.” Inside, you'll find a striking bronze statue of Samantabhadra riding an elephant, a powerful symbol of wisdom and strength.

Address: No. 41, Mingshan South Road, Emeishan City, Leshan, Sichuan Province

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily

Golden Summit

4.7/5

2,598 review

Our two-day trip to the Golden Summit of Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha has come to a successful end. It was a pleasure to meet our tour guide, Ms. Hu, and our driver. We were very satisfied with the trip. Many thanks to our tour guide, Ms. Hu Rong, for her hard work and friendly explanations throughout the trip; everyone had a great time, which is inseparable from her dedication. Ms. Hu is very approachable and attentive to every tourist; she was present at every scenic spot. She is a very competent tour guide. We also thank our driver for his safe and reliable service.

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Nestled at the base of Guanxin Ridge in Mount Emei, Wannian Temple is one of the mountain’s eight major temples and holds deep historical and spiritual significance. Originally built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, it was first named Puxian Temple. During the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli reign, it was renamed “Shengshou Wannian Temple” in honor of the emperor’s mother.

One of the temple’s standout features is the Beamless Hall—a remarkable structure built entirely of brick without a single wooden beam, constructed under the orders of Emperor Wanli as a tribute to his mother. The temple’s Xingyuan Building houses three sacred Buddhist relics: the Buddha’s tooth, ancient palm leaf scriptures, and the Wanli Golden Seal—treasures that no visitor should miss.

Address: Mount Emei Scenic Area, Huangwan Township, Emeishan City, Leshan, Sichuan Province

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily

A light drizzle shrouded Mount Emei, with white mist drifting through the mountains, creating a scene of ethereal beauty. Ancient trees and babbling brooks added to the serene tranquility amidst the rain. Winding stone steps disappeared into the sea of clouds, and the distant sound of temple bells echoed softly in the mist. Though the grandeur of a clear sky was absent, the misty, Zen-like atmosphere offered a unique and serene charm to Mount Emei.

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Located between Hongchunping and Qingyin Pavilion, near the dramatic "One Line of Sky" cliff path, the Emeishan Ecological Monkey Area is the largest natural wild monkey habitat in China. This lively spot is equipped with plank roads, pavilions, and cable bridges, making it easy and safe for visitors to watch and interact with the monkeys.

Here, the monkeys are anything but shy—they’re used to human visitors and often approach tourists playfully. Feeding and playing with them has become a favorite activity, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere where people and wildlife coexist in harmony. It’s not just an attraction—it’s a unique and living part of Mount Emei’s charm.

Address: Mount Emei Scenic Area, Huangwan Township, Emeishan City, Leshan, Sichuan Province

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours a day, all year round