Emei Shan
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
History
According to historians, it was said that Emei Shan (Mount Emei) has been inhabited since 10,000 years ago. The first Buddhist temple in China was built on the summit of Mount Emei in the 1st century. It was named the Guang Xiang Temple, however in 1614 it received its present royal name of Hua Zang.
Mount Emei is known for its incredibly diverse vegetation, and scenic beauty. Some of the trees surrounding the area is 1,000 years old. Many people look to Mount Emei as a place of important cultural significance as it was the place where Buddhism first became established in China, and thereby spreading widely through to the East.
Samantabhadra, or Universal Worthy Bodhisattva, resides as the patron Bodhisattva on Mount Emei.
About Emei Shan
Emei Shan (峨眉山), also known as Mount Emei in Szechuan province, China; is one of the four Buddhist sacred mountains. At 3,099m, Emei Shan is the highest of the sacred mountains. Due to the beauty and rich history of Emei Shan, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It’s name, literally translating to “Delicate Eyebrow Mountain”, is derived from two of it’s mountain peaks that face each other and look like the delicate eyebrows of a Chinese beauty.
Emei Shan is filled with many Buddhist temples and breathtaking scenery. It is condensed with a variety of wildlife and lush forests, some trees are even known to age more than 1,000 years old. There are many native monkeys (Tibetan macaques) in the areas, and they often come in contact with travelers. They are not harmful, however they have the tendency to grab visitor’s bags (especially if it contains food!), therefore many visitors are advised to carry a stick to ward the monkeys away should they try to get mischievous!
There are over 30 temples that are built on Emei Shan; 10 of which are very large and old, all considered as masterpieces of ingenious creativity as it adapts and blends naturally into the environment.
Bao Guo Monastery at the base of Emei Shan.
Inside Bao Guo Monastery.
The infamous bronze bell of Bao Guo Monastery which sound can be heard 15 km away.
At the base of the mountain is Baoguo Monastery which was built in the 16th century. The monastery have a surreal garden that contains extremely rare plants and a library filled with Dharma texts throughout the ages. At the stone staircase near the rear hall, figures of the ‘Eight Immortals’ can be seen, showing the temple’s Taoist origin. It is the most well preserved temple in Mt Emei and is the house to two renowned Buddhist treasure which is a 2.4 m tall porcelain Buddha statue and a 2.4 meter tall, 25 ton bronze bell, the second largest bell in China.
Crouching Tiger Temple (Fuhu Si).
A little further up the you will find the Crouching Tiger Temple, Emei’s largest temple. It was once a Taoist temple but was then converted into a Guan Yin nunnery. The most notable feature of this temple is it’s beautiful 16th century 7m high bronze Hua Yan Pagoda which is engraved with 4,700 Buddha images.
Qing Yin Pavilion
The Qing Yin Pavilion is built against the mountainside at the foot of the Nui Xin Ridge. It is an ensemble of pavilions, towers, and platforms, with the earliest structure dating back to the 6th century. A beautiful natural stream runs through the platforms which earned its name as the “Mountain Garden”.
Wai Nian Temple
Pu Xian Bodhisattva in Wai Nian Temple
Further up the pavilion at 1,020 meters, is Wai Nian Temple, which literally means ‘thousands of years temple’. It was first temple built during the Jin Dynasty, however back then it was called Puxian Temple. An unfortunate incident in 1946 caused the temple to suffer a big fire, causing the beautiful wooden temple halls to be completely burnt, leaving only the brick that was installed during the Ming Dynasty. Later in 1953, two temples were rebuilt and the brick palace renamed as “Beamless Hall”. The highlights of visiting Wai Nian Temple is the “Beamless Hall”, Pu Xian Bodhisattva, and Tooth of the Buddha.
This monastery was built in dedication to Bodhisattva Pu Xian (普贤菩萨), who is the protector of Mt Emei. The statue is 8.5 m high and was made in AD 980. It is made out of copper and bronze and estimated to weigh up to 62,000 kg! The statue is placed in Brick Hall. When the temple was damaged by fire in the 1940’s, the Brick Hall was the only building that was left unharmed.
Golden Summit in Emei Shan
Emei’s famous “Cloud Sea”
Huazang Si on Mt Emei
Wo Yun Nunnery on Mt Emei.
Walking a few hours or taking a cable car ride will lead to the Golden Summit (Jin Ding). It is 3,077 m above sea level. Here, there are two main temples, which is the Wo Yun Nunnery and Hua Zang Si. Hua Zang Si was founded in the 1st century during the Ming Dynasty, at that time it was known as the Pu Guang Hall. Later, it became the Guang Xiang Temple. In the 1970s, the temple was extensively renovated and furnished to preserve its original appearance. Here, the tallest golden Buddha statue of Puxian in the world which is made out of copper and gold plated can be seen on the temple grounds.
Jin Ding is famous for its Four Wonders of Mt Emei which are: The Buddha’s Halo, the Sea of Clouds, the Holy Lamp, and the Golden Summit Sunrise.
Location Map
Opening hours: 7 am to 7 pm (peak season); 8 am to 6 pm (low season)
Entrance Fees:
| Peak Season | Low Season | |
| Entrance Fee | 150 RMB | 90 RMB |
|
Jinding Cable Car Opening hours: 0530 – 1800 |
65 RMB (upper) 55 RMB (lower) |
30 RMB (upper) 20 RMB (lower) |
|
Wannian Cable Car Opening hours: 0640 – 1800 |
65 RMB (upper) 45 RMB (lower) |
30 RMB (upper) 20 RMB (lower) |
| Baoguo Temple | 8 RMB | |
| Fuhu Temple | 6 RMB | |
| Wannian Temple | 10 RMB |
Best time to visit:
All year round, but the best time to visit is between May and October.
Directions:
- From Chengdu – 150 km
- From Shuangliu International Airport – 130 km
- From Leshen city – 28 km
- From Emei Shan town – 7 km
More beautiful pictures of Emei Shan.
Golden Summit.
Temple of Jinding (The Golden Summit).
Nice small garden at the bottom of the mountain.
The entrance to the mountain.
The mountain trail is aided by rocky stairs!
The mountain is also filled with monkeys… beware, some are quite cheeky…
Pu Xian Bodhisattva (Samantabhadra Buddha)
Looking down from the Golden Summit.
Beautiful Buddhist carvings on the stone walls.
Pilgrims circumambulating Pu Xian Buddha statue.
Leshan Buddha.
Map of Mount Emei for tourists to refer.
Cable cars available to take pilgrims up to the peak.
Scenery of the mountain peak from a far.
Aerial view of Mt Emei.
Source:
1) http://www.magic-city-news.com/R_P_BenDedek_33/Mt_Emei_Golden_Summit_Sichuan_Province_printer8551.shtml
2) http://www.topchinatravel.com/china-attractions/wannian-temple.htm
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Emei
4) http://www.sacred-destinations.com/china/emei-shan
5) http://www.chinatravel.net/china-destinations/Emei-Shan/cityintroduction-48.html
6) http://www.insightguides.com/destinations/asia-pacific/china/southwest-china/sichuan/overview
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Mount Emei (Emeishan) is an area of exceptional cultural significance as it is the place where Buddhism first became established on Chinese territory and from where it spread widely through the East. Wow amazing… the first Buddhist temple in China was built on the summit of Mount Emei in the 1st century CE. Mount Emei is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China . A scenic mountain area where it houses important Buddhist temples. The mountain is characterized by lofty ancient trees, impressive waterfalls, pristine brooks and numerous Buddhist temples. A place worth going on pilgrimage as it is a sacred Buddhist haven. The mountain enjoys great popularity among Buddhists in China, and around the world. Many thousands of practitioners and people visited this sacred mountains yearly. Reading this post reminds me of my trip…great memories indeed. Visited this place few years back with my friends enroute to Tibet on pilgrimage then. Simply amazing to see this sacred place .
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Emei Shan is a famous mountain that appears in many Mandarin marital art novels or celestial novels that depicting it under the tutelage of a Lady Master who is known for being extremely strict and resents and love affairs. Amazing to read of the real Emei Shan from this sharing, it exudes spiritual energy through the various Buddha stone statues and wall craving, pagoda and temples. This is a holy site worth making a trip to! Thank you for this sharing.
Mt. Emei seem to be towering, beautiful, old and mysterious.It is like a huge green screen standing in the southwest of the Chengdu Plain.Mt. Emei was enlisted in the world natural and cultural heritage by the UNESCO. Mt Emei is the highest of the sacred mountains which is at 3,099m having a long rich history,people in remote ancient times have lived in this place as early as 5,000 years ago.Amazing discoveries by the archaeologist.The first monastery was built 1,900 years ago, thats where the birthplace of Buddhism in Yangtze Valley begin.
The Buddhist architecture, music, grottos and paintings in the mountain all reflect rich religious flavor and culture.Its famous for the beauty of the mountains and there are many ancient temples which attracted thousands of tourist yearly.
Thank you rinpoche for sharing these post which i do hope i can visit one day.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article of Emei Shan. I always like to read and see articles regarding temples from other countries. It is always exciting and curious to know about other country’s temples, culture and scenery. And I always admire and curious to know how the olden days people can built such beautiful and stunning temples and also do such nice carvings on the stone walls. This is Emei Shan’s scenery is really breathtaking.
With folded palms,
Vivian
Very beautiful temple very much. The scenery is amazingly beautiful too.
Some of the pictures that i love are,The infamous bronze bell of Bao Guo Monastery which sound can be heard 15 km away. Beautiful Buddhist carvings on the stone walls. Scenery of the mountain peak from a far. Temple of Jinding (The Golden Summit). Carvings on the stone walls.
Thank you very much Rinpoche for sharing these beautiful pictures from this temple.
Very beautiful temple very much. The scenery is amazingly beautiful too.
Some of the pictures that i love are,The infamous bronze bell of Bao Guo Monastery which sound can be heard 15 km away. Beautiful Buddhist carvings on the stone walls. Scenery of the mountain peak from a far. Temple of Jinding (The Golden Summit). Carvings on the stone walls…
Dear Rinpoche, Thank you for this comprehensive write-up on Emeishan. From the photos, this place looks amazing and is another place that is going into my bucket list. Would love to see the Four Wonders of Mt Emei – The Buddha’s Halo, the Sea of Clouds, the Holy Lamp, and the Golden Summit Sunrise.
Hello. I would like to do my Vajrasattva 3 month retreat somewhere in Sichuan province. I need your advice. thank you.
年少时在武侠小说里认识了峨眉山，看了这些照片峨眉山果然见识了“峨眉天下秀”此话不假。今天看峨眉山的照片，虽然武侠小说里对峨眉山的印象仍在，不过却添加了佛教的色彩。峨眉山是中国佛教四大名山之一，峨眉山的云海好美，金顶在阳光下确实是金光闪闪，太迷人了。有道山不在高，有仙则灵，峨眉山肯定是又高又充满灵气。