Highlights:
Journey to the heart of Chinese Buddhism with visits to Dafo (the Giant Buddha) and Emei Shan (Mt. Emei). Dafo, at 71 m (233 ft) in height, is the world’s largest stone-carved Buddha. Cut from the cliffs of Lingyun Shan and looming over the meeting of the Min and Dadu rivers and facing distant Emei Shan, the 400-year old world wonder is a sight to behold. Emei Shan itself is one of China’s holiest mountains, and its mist-shrouded peaks, forested slopes, Buddhist temples, well-worn paths and winding stone stairs have drawn countless pilgrims over the centuries.
Minimum adult travelers: 1
Itinerary:
Day 1 Chengdu-Leshan-Emei Shan
9:00 a.m. Chengdu hotel pick up
11:30 a.m. Arrive at Leshan and have lunch
12:30 p.m. River boat tour and Dafo viewing
We’ll take to the waters beneath Dafo by boat and admire the view from below before climbing above.
1:30 p.m. Giant Buddha
Leshan’s Giant Buddha, or Dafo, rises up the face of Lingyun Shan. We’ll explore Dafo, enjoying fantastic views of the surrounding landscape and of Leshan itself from atop the Giant Buddha’s head.
2:30 p.m. Lingyun Temple
Lingyun Temple and the Lingyun Temple Museum provide even deeper insight into the history of this amazing Buddhist site. Have a look at Dafo’s head, explore, and enjoy views featuring nearby temples, pagodas and high mountain bridges.
4:30 p.m. Depart for Emei Shan
One of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, Emei Shan (Mount Emei) is visible from Leshan, and grows more impressive as we approach!
5:00 p.m. Arrive at your Emei Shan hotel
Check into the Huasheng Hotel or a similar hotel and enjoy an authentic Sichuan dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 2 Mt. Emei Shan
8:00 a.m. Hotel pick up
9:30 a.m. Emei Shan
We will walk roughly 2 km (about 40 minutes) to the cable car station, then ascend some 2,500 meters above sea level to the Golden Summit by cable car.
On the summit, we’ll view two temples, the Woyun Nunnery and the larger Huazang Temple. You’ll see thousands of padlocks inscribed with couples’ names to symbolize eternal love along the way. If the weather is right, we’ll be treated to beautiful atmospheric phenomena as the sun shines down on a “cloud sea,” revealing and hiding facets of the mountain in a stunning interplay of light, clouds and wind.
10:30 a.m. Golden Summit
The Golden Summit Scenic Area covers 16 square kilometers and experiences a chilly yearly average temperature of 3 degrees Celsius. The Golden Summit tops out at 3,079 meters above sea level, with only the nearby Wanfo (Ten Thousand Buddha Summit) exceeding it at 3,099 meters. You’ll be standing at the heights of one of the most important Buddhist holy sites in the world and walking in the footsteps of countless devout pilgrims.
1:00 p.m. Lunch
After have delicious Sichuan cuisine at a local restaurant, we’ll descend Emei Shan in a tour bus, enjoying astonishing views at nearly ever turn.
4:30 p.m. Arrive at the foot of the mountain and depart for Chengdu.
