2-day in-depth tour of Emei Mountain and Leshan Giant Buddha: the sacred Buddhist mountain and confluence of three rivers

Depart from Chengdu at 7:30 AM.

At 10:00 AM, officially begin the hike from Bao Guo Temple, the largest temple of Mount Emei and the gateway to the mountain. The temple is surrounded by ancient trees and solemn halls, offering a serene atmosphere of a Buddhist sacred site.

Follow the ancient stone path uphill, passing through Fuhu Temple, Qingyin Pavilion, One-Line Sky, and Hongchun Platform—ancient stone steps beneath your feet, babbling brooks and birdsong in your ears, lush greenery of tree ferns and Davidia trees filling your vision, creating a refreshing sense of wonder.

Along the way, you may observe the unique Tibetan macaques of Mount Emei—playful yet wild (for your safety, please do not feed or provoke them; keep personal belongings secure).

Arrive at the mid-mountain hotel near Xixiang Pool in the evening. Spend the night amidst the forest sea, lulled to sleep by the sound of pine winds, preparing for the summit climb the next day.

You may choose whether to complete the full hike based on your physical condition. If unable to finish the full hike, you can opt to take the cable car to the summit.

The Cloud-Top Bodhisattva, the Riverbank Great Buddha

At 6:00 AM, continue ascending toward the Golden Summit, or take the cable car depending on your energy level. As the first rays of sunlight pierce through the sea of clouds, the golden statue of Samantabhadra shines brilliantly in the morning light. Gazing afar, you’ll see Mount Gongga and Wanfo Peak—the vastness of heaven and earth leaves you awestruck.

At 9:00 AM, descend either via the original route or by cable car, then drive to Leshan (approximately 1.5 hours).

At 11:00 AM, arrive in Leshan and enjoy local specialties—Leshan Leaping Beef, Sweet Skin Duck, Tofu Pudding, and Bo Bo Chicken—let your taste buds embark on a journey too.

At 12:00 PM, have lunch and rest briefly.

At 14:00, visit the Leshan Giant Buddha scenic area. The giant Buddha is carved into the cliffside overlooking the river, standing 71 meters tall, sculpted over more than 90 years during the Tang Dynasty’s Kaiyuan era—this is the tallest stone-carved Maitreya Buddha statue in the world. In addition to viewing it up close along the riverside trail, we specially arrange a sightseeing boat ride to the center of the river, capturing a panoramic view of the Buddha from the front—its massive figure seamlessly integrated with Lingyun and Wuyou mountains, fully embodying the grandeur of 'the mountain is a Buddha, the Buddha is a mountain'.

The tour ends at 6:00 PM. Transfer back to Chengdu.