4-day Hiking Adventure
Chengdu, Leshan, Emei Mountain
Overview
Feel the buzz of one of China’s most populous cities and explore centuries-old traditions of Chinese Buddhism through a few of its holiest sites.
- Absorb the sights and sounds of an ancient city
- Visit the largest stone carved Buddha in the world
- Walk the sacred steps of one of the four sacred mountains of Buddhism
- Experience a day in the life of a monk
Day 1: Chengdu
Settle into your hotel in Chengdu and take an evening walk around the historic Kuanzhai alley where you can enjoy mouth-numbing Sichuan cuisine over a cultural performance.
Day 2: Chengdu - Leshan - Emei Mountain
We’re off to Leshan to visit the tallest Buddha in the world. Explore the ancient temples in the grounds and learn about the engineering behind this impressive statue. This tour can be done on foot or take a water cruise to get a view from an alternative vantage point.
Our next stop is Emei Mountain where we begin our exploration by foot, following paths the monks here have taken for over a millenium. The hike today is a long 5-6h up ancient stone steps to reach Xianfeng Temple, our home for the night. Enjoy a simple vegetarian meal, make a small donation and help the monks as they go about their daily chores.
Day 3: Emei Mountain Hike
Our climb continues after breakfast, crossing through verdant high altitude forests and passing by the oxblood-hued Xixiangchi Temple, one of Emei’s top 10 attractions.
We end our hiking adventure at Emei’s highest point, the Golden Summit (3,079m), where we will be staying the night. It is a feat how the Chinese developed the mountain hundreds of years ago. Take your time to marvel at the massive statue of Samantabhadra and visit the golden and silver temples.
Day 4: Emei Mountain - Chengdu
We will be getting up early to catch the sunrise at the Golden Summit. If you are lucky, you may get to see seas of clouds (云海, yun hai), a sight out of a classical chinese painting.
We then retreat down the mountain by cable car and bus where your private transportation will be waiting to take you back to Chengdu city. Wander the city for a few hours, or unwind at one of the many local tea houses before your flight home.
Optional add-ons: For an unforgettable experience
Take a few days off to rest and rejuvenate. We’ll let you in on a secret: Not many foreigners know about the hot spring resorts scattered around Sichuan. Bathe in a hot spring, do some yoga, soak up thousands of years of spirituality at Qingcheng Mountain, meditate. This is Chinese slow living.
