A fantastic trip to meet the holy Leshan and Mount Emei

In Sichuan, besides the charming Jiuzhaigou and lovely panda in Chengdu, another two destinations also could not be missed – Leshan Giant Buddha & Mount Emei. Located in the norther Sichuan, Leshan and Emei mountain can be visited together from Chengdu in a 3-day trip.

Getting up on 6 a.m.. I took a taxi to Xinnanmen Shuttle Bus Station in Chengdu to get the first shuttle bus to Leshan. (Xinnanmen Shuttle Bus Station is a hub in Chengdu, it serves shuttle bus to Jiuzhaigou, Leshan, Emei, etc.) When I waited the shuttle bus, I just wondered whether I could see the sunrise or not on the Mount Emei. Without hesitation, I began to check about the hotel on the Golden Summit in Mount Emei, aimed to have a sunrise tour on it.

After about 2 hours driving, I arrived in Leshan Bus Station around 9 o'clock. When arrived there, took No. 13 bus to Da Fo Station (大佛站), about 30min transporting. Because we are early to visit this scenic area, before the travel group, so it ensured more free time and better atmosphere to visit this holy place.

It was a story that in the ancient time, the water area in Leshan Giant Buddha place was frequently hit by flood. But after the Giant Buddha Statue built later, there was no flood any more. Why? People said there was 3 reasons: 1. The Buddha protected people away from the flood; 2. When building Giant Buddha Statue, there were many stones falling down the river. These stones filled up the river route; 3. People became more confidence after the Giant Buddha was built.

Our tour guide said we were lucky enough because only 0.5 hour in the line and then we can arrival the foot the statue. The Giant Buddha was in a height of 24 floors. So from climbing up to downing the statue, we had walk 48 floors in total.

Lingyun Temple in Giant Buddha Scenic Area, inside there were wooden carving of four heavenly guardians, so elegant.

 
After a visit to the Buddha, we rented a van to Mount Emei. Within 2 hrs driving, we arrived there. Because we chose rent the van, so the driver transferred us directly to the Baoguo Temple Tourist Center. After buying the entrance ticket , it was about 3:30 p.m..

From Leidong Ping, there were cable car to take. But I chose to hike from there to the Golden Summit. Not very hard hiking route, just about 1.5 hours later. I reached my hotel on the Golden Summit. It was a comparative nice hotel because only 5-min walking to the Golden Summit, so that I could have my sunrise trip in the next day.

Monkey on the Golden Summit

The Golden Summit on 5:30 p.m.

The next day morning was a fine day. I was so excited because my sunrise trip could be true. It was so lucky that there was not much clouds in this morning. Got up around 5:00 a.m., after a preparation, we began our trip on 5:40 a.m..

The sunrise was amazing. 

Mt. Gongga far away

The Golden Summit on 6:25 a.m.