Did You Know that Emei Shan is the Highest Holy Buddhist Mountain in China?

Emei Shan, called Emeishan, Mt. O-mei, or Mt. Emei; is the highest holy mountain among the four devoted to Buddhism in China. Perched at a height of 3,099 m in the Szechuan province, Mt. Emei is now a part of the World Heritage Site due to its mind-blowing panorama, secret natural marvels, and historical Buddhist spots. Its slopes welcome varied climatic conditions and exotic wildlife where trees over 1,000 years old are still maintained well, and inhabitants since 10000 years. Ah! I found myself lucky to be amidst the naturally and religiously blessed Chinese land. The Emei Shan mountain was originally a Taoist haven, but in 3rd century A.D. converted into a sacred Buddhist mountain.

The name of the sacred mountain means “Delicate Eyebrow Mountain” that is given because of the two peaks facing each other appearing as delicate eyebrows. The mountain boasts more than 30 Buddhist temples out of which 10 are literally huge and adaptively ancient. The journey to this mountain in form of a 7 km memorable trek for a full day visit, but there are minibuses and cable cars for those running short of time.

Emei Shan Attractions

• Baoguo Monastery:
  Located at the base since the 16th century, this lamasery offers calm gardens holding rare foliage, a library of sutras, and a big Buddha of ceramic. Behind it, there is a hall with a stone staircase where you can spot the figures of the Eight Immortals, deceiving the Taoist sources of the temple.

• Crouching Tiger Monastery (Fuhu Si):
  Next in the line comes the largest temple of the mountain. Formerly linked with the Taoist martial-arts leader Zhang Sanfeng, now it is a place of Guanyin nunnery. What allures visitors here is the bronze Huayan Pagoda of 7 m height carved with 4700 Buddha images.
• The Qingyin Pavilion:
  Located at the base of the Niuxin Ridge, this is the home of many pavilions, towers, and podiums even from the early 6th century. Because of its site and running streams, it is also known as the Mountain Garden.
• Golden Summit (Jinding):
  After trekking for some hours or sitting in a cable car for some time, you reach this beautiful peak at the highest point. Here, visit the two temples namely, the welcoming Woyun Nunnery and big Huazang Si along with several locks carved with the names of the couples for marking everlasting love. The Huazang Si was discovered in the 1st century that was known as the Puguang Hall and later as the Guangxiang Temple. Even after its many restorations, the temple has retained its original look and feel.
• Four Wonders:
  On Jinding, explore the Buddha’s Halo that are surrounding rings looking like a rainbow moving along your shadow, the Sea of Clouds, the Holy Lamp (Celestial Lights), and the Golden Summit Sunrise.
• Wanfoding (Ten Thousand Buddha Summit):
  Take a monorail from the summit to reach here, which is the real pinnacle of the mountain.

On your way to the Emei Shan mountain on foot, you will find some friendly but pushy monkeys asking for food and snatching the bags. However, they are not harmful. If you do not want all this, then walk with a stick. Mt. Emei is at 130 km from the Shuangliu International Airport and 28 km from the city of Leshan.