Leshan Giant Buddha & Mount Emei Hiking
From the Leshan Giant Buddha to Wannian Temple and Xixiang Pool, hike up to the Golden Summit and stay on the mountain for the sunrise.
A short holiday route starting from Chengdu. See the Giant Buddha first, then hike all the way from the mid-mountain area to Leidongping, and ascend to the Golden Summit early the next morning for the sunrise. Compared to a same-day round trip by cable car, this route includes ancient temple paths and monkey zones. The climb is concentrated on the third day and requires a decent level of physical fitness. If you don't want to hike the entire way, you can use the cable car at Wannian Temple to break up the journey.
Stone steps are slippery after rain; high-altitude sections freeze in winter, requiring crampons.
Day by day
Day 1 · High-Speed Rail to Leshan to See the Giant Buddha
Mount Emei & Leshan（Leshan Giant Buddha、Mahao Cliff Tombs、Zhanggong Bridge Food Street）
Take a high-speed train from Chengdu East to Leshan (approx. 1 hour), transfer to a bus or taxi to the scenic area, and return to the city after about 3 hours of sightseeing.
The queue for the Nine-Bends Plank Road can be long; arriving early in the morning can reduce waiting times.
Stay: Leshan City
Day 2 · Baoguo Temple to Qingyin Pavilion
Mount Emei & Leshan（Baoguo Temple、Qingyin Pavilion & Yixiantian Gorge、Emei Ecological Monkey Zone）
Take a bus from Leshan to Baoguo Temple (approx. 40 minutes), transfer to a sightseeing bus to Wuxianggang, and then walk up to the Qingyin Pavilion area.
Keep food and plastic bags out of sight in the monkey zone, and do not feed them.
Stay: Mid-Mountain Area: Qingyin Pavilion and Wannian Temple
Day 3 · Hike from Wannian Temple to Leidongping
Mount Emei & Leshan（Wannian Temple、Huayan Peak、Xixiang Pool (Elephant Bathing Pool)、Leidongping）
Walk all day, passing Wannian Temple, Huayan Summit, and Xixiang Pool to reach Leidongping, taking about 8 to 10 hours.
Beds on the mountain are limited; book your accommodation in Leidongping well in advance during peak season.
Stay: Leidongping and Golden Summit
Day 4 · Golden Summit Sunrise & Descent
Mount Emei & Leshan（Golden Summit of Mount Emei）
Walk to Jieyin Hall in the early morning and take the cable car to the Golden Summit. Take a sightseeing bus down the mountain (approx. 2 hours) to Baoguo Temple, then transfer to leave.
Temperatures at the Golden Summit are low before sunrise; bring a thick jacket.