Travel with Elk: A 3-Day Winter Escape to Mount Emei & Delicious Leshan

In my humble opinion, winter's appeal at Mount Emei and Leshan remains one of the underappreciated travel secrets. My friends and I ventured to these Sichuan treasures in February, discovering the unique charm that winter brings to these iconic destinations.

Mount Emei in Sichuan Province is one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage site. At 3,099 meters, it offers breathtaking landscapes that are particularly magical when dressed in winter stillness. Combined with nearby Leshan, famous for its Giant Buddha and street food, it creates a perfect blend of spiritual exploration and culinary discovery.

Best Time to Visit Mount Emei ⋙.

3 Days Mount Emei Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

Itinerary: Chengdu / Mount Emei / Leshan Giant Buddha / Chengdu
Highlights: Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, Dafo Temple, Baoguo Temple, Hufu Temple, Wannian Temple, Huazang Temple, Golden Summit

Day 1 - High-Speed Rail to Mount Emei

The journey from Chengdu to Mount Emei by high-speed train is both convenient and scenic. Our train from Chengdu East Railway Station traveled through Sichuan's beautiful countryside, offering views of rolling hills and terraced fields through large windows during the 1.5-hour journey.

Upon arriving at Mount Emei station, the fresh mountain air and distant misty peaks welcomed us. A short taxi ride brought us to the mountain's base where we stayed in a lovely family-run guesthouse nestled among bamboo groves and trickling streams. The wooden furnishings and balcony overlooking the forest provided a peaceful setting to enjoy the natural surroundings.

Our host served us delicious home-cooked Sichuan dishes for dinner, including a memorable mapo tofu. Falling asleep to the gentle sounds of cicadas and distant temple bells set the perfect tone for our mountain adventure.

How to Get to Mount Emei from Chengdu ⋙

Serene beauty at the mountain base

Day 2 - Exploring Mount Emei

We started early in the crisp, icy dawn, boarding the shuttle bus at Mount Emei's base with our breath visible in the frosty air. The road wound through snow-dusted pine forests, with sunlight filtering weakly through the morning mist.

By 8 AM, we were at Leidongping Station waiting for the cable car to the Golden Summit. The ascent revealed an incredible sea of clouds swirling below, swallowing valleys and peaks, leaving only the summit floating above like an island in the sky.

Mount Emei Cable Cars & Sightseeing Buses ⋙

Stepping onto the snow-covered platform, we were greeted by the impressive 48-meter golden Samantabhadra Buddha statue shining against the deep blue sky. Ice crystals adorned its lotus pedestal, glinting like diamonds in the sunlight. The air was bitingly cold but pure, carrying the faint sounds of temple bells stirred by the wind.

Near Puxian Temple, crimson prayer flags fluttered against the snow. Visitors and pilgrims lit incense that spiraled smoke into the still air, their quiet prayers mixing with the sound of boots crunching on frozen paths. We sipped hot ginger tea from our thermos while taking in the sunlit clouds below—a moment where time seemed to stand still.

On our afternoon descent, the trails glittered with frost. At Wannian Temple, stone guardian statues wore caps of snow, and frozen streams traced through the forest like silver threads. By dusk, as we made our way back to the village below, the mountain transformed again—clouds turned pink in the sunset, and the Golden Summit gradually faded into twilight. Winter on Mount Emei isn't just a season; it truly feels like a meditation.

The amazing winter view from the Golden Summit

Day 3 - Leshan Giant Buddha and Food Exploration

Our day began with an early morning visit to the Leshan Giant Buddha, the world's largest stone Buddha statue carved into the cliff face at the confluence of three rivers. Standing at 71 meters tall, this UNESCO World Heritage site is truly awe-inspiring, with its serene expression visible even from a distance. Unfortunately, being both the students' Winter Holiday and a Sunday, the site was extremely crowded with tourists. Long queues snaked down the pathways, so we decided not to linger too long after taking in the magnificent view of this 1,300-year-old masterpiece.

(Reminder: If you plan to visit top attractions in China, consider avoid Chinese Public Holidays 2025.)

The awe-inspiring Leshan Giant Buddha

After our brief cultural excursion, Leshan revealed its other famous attraction—its incredible food scene. We headed to a bustling street market where steam rose from large pots of Niurou Mifen (beef rice noodles). The broth, simmered overnight with star anise and chili, provided that distinctive numbing sensation that makes Sichuan cuisine so special. We joined locals who slurped their noodles with a rhythmic clicking of chopsticks.

By noon, we visited a decades-old street stall famous for its Bang Bang Chicken. The vendor skillfully pounded poached chicken with a wooden mallet before coating it in a rich, fiery sauce made with sesame paste and chili oil. Each bite offered a perfect contrast of tender meat and flavorful sauce.

A highlight was trying the Tian Pi Ya (sweet skin duck), with its shiny brown coating that crunches from the sugar glaze, concealing succulent meat beneath. We enjoyed this delicacy by the Min River, not minding our sticky fingers, as the setting sun cast a golden glow on the Giant Buddha in the distance.

We concluded our food journey with Bobo Ji (skewer salad). We selected bamboo skewers of chicken, lotus root, and wood ear mushrooms and dipped them into a communal bowl of chili-infused broth—cold, tangy, and electrifying on the palate.

Emei to Leshan Train Schedules ⋙
What to Eat in Leshan 2025 ⋙

Delicious Leshan Street Food and Min River Sunset

Winter is truly a special time to visit Mount Emei and Leshan. The reduced crowds allow for a more personal experience with these cultural treasures, while the winter scenery adds a magical dimension to the journey. And the warming Sichuan cuisine is particularly satisfying after a day in the cold mountain air.

4 Days Classic Leshan Buddha & Mount Emei Tour from Chengdu

Itinerary: Chengdu / Leshan / Mt. Emei / Chengdu
Highlights: Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, Chengdu Giant Panda Base,Wenshu Temple

Are you interested in traveling to Mount Emei with me? Browse our best Mount Emei Tour Packages and Leshan Emei Tour Packages, or just share your travel preferences, and I'll use my experience and knowledge to provide you with an unforgettable customized Mount Emei trip.

Travel with Me

Hi, I'm Elk. Are you interested in my exploration in Mount Emei and Leshan? Feel free to contact me and I will be glad to tell you more travel stories about the places I have visited. Or, if you want to customize a tour on your own, I'm always ready to help at any time. With my passion and knowledge, I promise to make the tour memorable and meaningful for you.

Elk

Travel Consultant

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