Emei Mountain Hiking Routes for Foreigners: Pick the Right Path (Without Getting Lost or Exhausted)
- cometodolphinunion
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
You want to climb Emei Mountain.But here’s the problem: There’s no single “right way”.
Some people hike all night to see sunrise.Others take cable cars and eat lunch at the summit.And some—like a French couple I met—start walking from Baoguo Temple thinking “it’s just a mountain,” only to collapse at Qingyin Pavilion with no transport back.
Emei Mountain (Éméi Shān, 峨眉山) is huge.It has 50+ km of trails, wild monkeys, steep stone steps, and confusing shuttle stops.If you don’t plan, you’ll waste time, energy, or miss the Golden Summit (Jīndǐng, 金顶) entirely.
I’ve climbed Emei three times—once with a broken ankle, once at 3 AM in the rain, and once with a group of seniors who just wanted tea and views.Each time, I learned what works for different travelers.
This guide shows you three real routes—for the super-fit, the time-crunched, and the spiritual night hiker.
No fluff. Just clear, tested plans that match your energy, time, and goals.
Emei Mountain Hiking Routes for Foreign Travelers: Pick the Right Path (Without Getting Lost or Exhausted)
One-Day Express Route: See the Summit Without Breaking Your Back
This route is for travelers with only 24 hours—maybe you’re on a Chengdu side trip.You skip the hardest climbs. You use shuttles and cable cars smartly.And you still see the Golden Summit, wild monkeys, and Qingyin Pavilion’s “Twin Bridges Over Clear Sound” (Shuāng Qiáo Qīng Yīn, 双桥清音).
The trick? Start early.Take the first scenic bus at 7:00 AM from Emei Railway Station to Leidongping (Léidòngpíng, 雷洞坪).
Ride time: 2 hours. Cost: ¥90 round-trip (included in park ticket).
From Leidongping, walk 1.5 km (30 mins) to Jieyin Hall (Jiēyǐn Diàn, 接引殿).
Then—take the cable car (¥120 one-way, 5 minutes) to Golden Summit.Don’t walk unless you love pain. The 2.8 km trail has 1,500+ steps.
At the summit, visit the Ten-Faced Puxian Golden Statue, watch clouds roll over She Shen Cliff (Shèshēn Yá, 舍身崖), and eat veggie noodles at the food court.
After lunch, cable car down. Bus to Wannian Temple (Wànnián Sì, 万年寺).
See the Song Dynasty bronze Puxian statue and Ming brick hall.Then walk 20 mins to Qingyin Pavilion. Watch monkeys in the Ecological Monkey Zone (Shēngtài Hóu Qū, 生态猴区)—but don’t feed them.
Last bus from Wuxiangang (Wǔxiǎngǎng, 五显岗) leaves at 5:30 PM. Don’t miss it.
A Canadian student told me: “I thought I’d need two days. But this route gave me everything—summit, monkeys, temples—in one day. Perfect.”
Tip: Pack water and snacks. Food at the top costs ¥50 for instant noodles.
Two-Day Immersion Route: Hike Like a Pilgrim (But Sleep in a Real Bed)
This is for travelers who want nature, culture, and a real mountain feel—without dying of exhaustion.
Day 1 starts at Wuxiangang.Walk to Qingyin Pavilion (30 mins). Cross the twin stone bridges.Then enter the monkey zone. Keep bags closed. Monkeys steal phones.
Next: hike to Hongchunping (Hóngchūnpíng, 洪椿坪)—2 hours uphill.Pass the 99-Curve Trail (Jiǔshíjiǔ Dàowān, 九十九道拐). It’s steep but shaded.Stay overnight at Xixiangchi (Xǐxiàngchí, 洗象池)—a simple guesthouse at 2,070m. Cost: ¥150/bed. Hot water: limited.
Day 2: Wake at 3:30 AM.Hike 5 km to Leidongping (2 hours).Then cable car to Golden Summit by 5:30 AM—just in time for sunrise over the “Sea of Clouds.”
After sunrise, descend via cable car and bus.You’ll be back at the park gate by 2 PM.
A UK couple said: “Sleeping at Xixiangchi felt spiritual. Waking up to temple bells, then hiking under stars… unforgettable.”
Warning: No cable cars operate between Hongchunping and Xixiangchi.If you’re not fit, skip this route. One Brazilian hiker turned back at 99-Curve—no transport, no signal.
Night Climb Route: Chase Sunrise Like a True Adventurer
This is not for beginners.You walk 12–15 km, mostly uphill, in total darkness.But if you succeed? You’ll stand on Golden Summit as the sun paints the clouds gold.
Start at 9:00 PM from Baoguo Temple (Bàoguó Sì, 报国寺).First hour: flat stone path to Fuhu Temple (Fúhǔ Sì, 伏虎寺). Easy.
Then: 2 hours to Qingyin Pavilion. Listen to creek sounds.From there, climb to Wannian Temple (1 hour), then up to Jiulinggang (Jiǔlǐnggǎng, 九岭岗).
The hardest part: Jiulinggang to Leidongping (3 hours).Steep. Slippery. No lights.But small stalls sell hot tea and boiled eggs. Use them.
Arrive at Leidongping by 4:30 AM.Walk 40 mins to Jieyin Hall.Final 20-minute sprint to Golden Summit.Sunrise: 6:15–6:45 AM (summer), 7:00–7:30 AM (winter).
After sunrise, take cable car down. Rest. You’ve earned it.
A German backpacker wrote: “My legs burned. But watching sunrise from 3,079m—with no crowds—was worth every step.”
Must-bring: Headlamp, warm jacket (it’s 5°C at dawn), and trekking poles.
Don’t attempt if rain is forecast. Trails turn to mud.
Why This Guide Works—And What’s Next
I’ve seen too many travelers fail because they didn’t know their limits.One American tried the night climb in flip-flops. He quit at Fuhu Temple.Another group missed the last bus and paid ¥600 for a private car down.
So I created the Emei Mountain Ultimate Travel Guide—with:
✅ Exact bus/cable car times (first bus 7:00 AM, last bus 5:30 PM)
✅ AMap links for every stop—even monkey zones
✅ Route match quiz: “Are you a Super Hiker, a Smart Cruiser, or a Night Pilgrim?”
✅ Post-hike eats: Sichuan hot pot near Emei Railway Station (try “Chengdu Flavor House”)
✅ Winter bonus: Skiing at Leidongping + open-air hot springs under snow
Last month, a Dutch family used the 1-day route. They emailed: “We saw monkeys, ate veggie dumplings at Golden Summit, and were back in Chengdu by 8 PM. Magic!”
Don’t guess your Emei route.Pick the one that fits your body, your time, and your dream.
Grab the Emei Mountain Ultimate Travel Guide today.Climb smarter. Eat better. See more. 🏔️✨
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