Experience Buddhist Culture at Mount Emei Sichuan
Mount Emei Scenic Area: A Cultural and Natural Heritage 🏔️
Mount Emei, located in the southwest of the Sichuan Basin, spans approximately 154 square kilometers, with its highest peak, Wanfo Summit, reaching an altitude of 3,099 meters. As one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains, Mount Emei is home to around 26 temples, with the most notable being the Eight Great Temples. These sacred sites hold frequent Buddhist ceremonies, attracting worshippers from across the world.
The mountain is not only one of Sichuan’s renowned scenic spots but also a national demonstration site for cultural and natural tourism. On December 6, 1996, Mount Emei, along with the Leshan Giant Buddha, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and natural significance.
*Mount Emei- tourist center.
Geographical Location 🧭
Mount Emei, also spelled E-mei or Mount Emei, lies in the southwest region of the Sichuan Basin, specifically in Emeishan City, Sichuan Province. The scenic area covers 154 square kilometers, with its highest point, the Wanfo Summit, standing at 3,099 meters. Another key site on the mountain, the Golden Summit (Jinding), home to Huazang Temple, stands at 3,079.3 meters and is the highest point for tourists visiting Mount Emei.
It is famed as both a Buddhist and Taoist sacred site, as well as a major tourist destination, earning the nickname “Emei the Most Graceful Mountain Under Heaven.” The mountain is considered the sacred domain of Samantabhadra (Puxian) Bodhisattva in Buddhist tradition. In 1982, the mountain was included in China’s first batch of national scenic areas. In 1996, it was added to UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage List, and in 2007, it was officially designated as a 5A National Scenic Spot by China’s National Tourism Administration.
Mount Emei is located near the mysterious 30th parallel north, towering over southwestern Sichuan Province. Historically, it has been revered as the sacred domain of Samantabhadra, known as “The Eldest Son of the Buddha.” Its natural heritage is rich and diverse, earning it nicknames such as “The Kingdom of Plants,” “Animal Paradise,” and “Geological Museum.” Culturally, it holds deep significance as a Buddhist sacred site, often referred to as “The Buddhist Paradise.” Combining breathtaking natural landscapes and profound Buddhist culture, it was rightfully inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
*Emei Shan Jinding Hotel.
*E-Mei Mountain View.
Climatic Features ⛅
Mount Emei is known for its frequent clouds and fog, receiving abundant rainfall and limited sunlight. The lower regions of the mountain have a subtropical monsoon climate, with average temperatures of 6.9°C in January and 26.1°C in July. Due to the mountain’s significant altitude variation, the climate zones change vertically.
Areas between 1,500 to 2,100 meters experience a warm temperate climate, between 2,100 to 2,500 meters, a moderate temperate climate, and elevations above 2,500 meters have a subarctic climate. The regions above 2,000 meters are often snow-covered for about half the year, from October to April.
Different parts of the Mount Emei Scenic Area display distinct climatic characteristics depending on their elevation. The low mountain area below Qingyin Pavilion is lush and green, with cool breezes and clear streams, and its temperature is similar to that of the plains. A light jacket may be needed in the morning and evening. The mid-mountain region, between Qingyin Pavilion and the Elephant Bathing Pool, experiences temperatures 4-5°C lower than the plains. Visitors should be well-prepared with sufficient clothing.
The high mountain region, from the Elephant Bathing Pool to the Golden Summit, is often engulfed in clouds and mist, with cold winds and sudden rainfall. Here, the temperature is roughly 10°C lower than at the base of the mountain. Warm coats are available for rent. There’s a notable atmospheric “boundary” on Mount Emei, where the lower section is called “Yang World” (the sunny world) and the upper section “Yin World” (the cloudy world), as clouds often accumulate at this boundary. Thunder is frequently heard at the Golden Summit, but only the “Yang World” experiences rain while the “Yin World” does not.
*Sea of clouds in Mount Emei.
The Grandeur of Mount Emei🗻
Mount Emei’s scenic area comprises four major peaks: Da’e, Er’e, San’e, and Si’e. The main peak, Da’e, is typically what people refer to when talking about Mount Emei. Da’e and Er’e peaks stand opposite each other, and from a distance, their twin summits appear misty, resembling delicate eyebrows. This majestic and towering landscape inspired Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai to exclaim, “Emei rises above the sky’s western edge” and “Of all the sacred mountains in Shu, none compare to Emei.” The mountain is often shrouded in mist, with constant drizzle, and the ever-changing clouds and fog enhance its beauty.
With its rugged terrain, Mount Emei offers spectacular views and a diversity of landscapes, known for the saying, “One mountain encompasses all four seasons, and the weather changes every ten miles.”
Qing Dynasty poet Tan Zhongyue summarized the beauty of Emei in ten famous scenes: “Auspicious Light on the Golden Summit,” “Moonlit Nights at the Elephant Bathing Pool,” “The Nine Elders’ Immortal Abode,” “Morning Rain at Hongchun Flat,” “Autumn Winds at Baishui River,” “Clear Sound of Twin Bridges,” “Snowfall at Daping,” “Overlapping Greenery of Lingyan,” “Clouds over Luofeng,” and “Evening Bells at Shengji Temple.”
*Emei Mountain in the morning.
New Scenic Wonders
In recent times, many new scenic wonders have been discovered and created, including Red Pearl Embraced in Green, Listening to the Springs at Tiger Stream, the Dragon River Walkway, Dragon Gate Waterfall, Thunder Cave Clouds, Reception Rainbow, Floating Clouds at Reclining Buddha, and the Cool Forest of Firs.
These newly discovered wonders complement the traditional attractions. Mount Emei’s new “Top Ten Views” include the Golden Buddha at the Golden Summit, Myriad Buddhas Worshipping, Xiaoping’s Love, Tranquil Sound Lake, Spiritual Monkeys in the Valley, First Mountain Pavilion, Cliffside Carvings, Graceful Waterfall, Welcoming Beach, and Starting Point of the Famous Mountain.
As visitors explore the mountain, they encounter densely forested peaks and serene valleys. The twisting mountain paths lead to cloud-shrouded bridges and hidden streams. The air is filled with birdsong and butterflies, and wild monkeys play among the trees. The seasonal changes offer breathtaking scenery: spring brings vibrant greenery, summer flowers bloom in full glory, autumn paints the mountains in shades of red and gold, and winter blankets the landscape in pristine white.
The panoramic view from the Golden Summit is awe-inspiring, offering vistas of sunrise, seas of clouds, Buddha’s light, and glowing sunsets. To the west, the snow-capped peaks of Gongga Mountain and Wawu Mountain reach toward the sky, while the surging waves of clouds engulf the southern Wanfo Summit. To the north, the plains spread out like a tapestry, with the Dadu River and Qingyi River winding through the landscape.
*Mount Emei in Snow.
Cultural and Religious Traditions 🏕️
The Festival of Ten Thousand Lamps Honoring Samantabhadra
This grand Buddhist event features ceremonies led by revered masters who chant sutras such as the Furnace Incense Praise, Great Compassion Mantra, Ten Small Mantras, Heart Sutra, and Samantabhadra’s Vows, accompanied by lamp-lighting rituals and circumambulations of the Buddha.
Depending on devotees’ requests, additional services such as the Universal Buddha Offering, Heaven Worship, and large-scale Water and Land Dharma Assemblies may be held.
🕐Time: Every first and fifteenth of the lunar month, and on Buddha’s birthday.
Mount Emei Pilgrimage Festival
This annual festival combines pilgrimages to worship the Buddha with sightseeing and tourism. High monks and masters from around the world are invited to hold a series of Dharma events, temple fairs, and consecration ceremonies, offering blessings and prayers.
🕐Time: Annually in May, lasting about seven days.
*Emei Mountain plaque.
Buddhist Culture
Fuhu Temple 🐅
The introduction of Buddhism into China led to the establishment of various schools, including the Three Treatise School, Pure Land School, Vinaya School, Yogācāra School, Esoteric School, Tiantai School, and Huayan School. The first five schools originated in India, while the latter two were founded by Chinese monks. During the Tianjian reign (502–519 AD) of the Southern Liang Dynasty, Bodhidharma, a South Indian monk, came to China and established the Chan (Zen) School, which became one of the main branches of Chinese Buddhism.
Bodhidharma is considered the first patriarch of Chinese Chan Buddhism. He passed his teachings to Huike, Huike passed them to Sengcan, and then from Sengcan to Daoxin, Daoxin to Hongren, and Hongren to Huineng, the sixth patriarch. Both Huineng and Shenxiu received the teachings of Hongren, but their disciples split into two schools—Huineng representing the Southern School and Shenxiu representing the Northern School. The Northern School disappeared after two generations, while the Southern School thrived, branching into two main lineages: the Nanyue lineage of Huairang and the Qingyuan lineage of Xingsi.
The Nanyue lineage later split into the Weiyang and Linji schools, while the Qingyuan lineage gave rise to the Caodong, Yunmen, and Fayan schools. The Linji School, after the teachings of master Shishuang Chuyuan, further divided into the Huanglong and Yangqi branches.
*The monkeys in Emei Mountain.
Most of the monks on Mount Emei belong to the Linji School, with the Caodong School being the second most prominent. According to records such as the Jingde Transmission of the Lamp, during the reign of Emperor Wenzong (827–840 AD) of the Tang Dynasty, Chan masters such as Changfu (native of Meizhou), the Huangbo elder (from Fujian), Lingkan (from Chengdu), and Heishui (from Emei) were among the earliest Southern School Linji masters to settle on Mount Emei.
During the reign of Emperor Xizong (874–888 AD) of the Tang Dynasty, monks such as West Chan master (from Jiazhou), Baishui (from Jiazhou), Chengzhao (from Qingcheng, western Sichuan), Brushuiyan (from Yizhou), and Dongting (from Jiazhou) were among the earliest Caodong monks. These monks established temples, took in disciples, and their teachings have continued to be passed down on Mount Emei to this day.