The highest of the four sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism, Mount Emei is also a destination for nature enthusiasts due to its rich diversity of flora and fauna. It is located approximately 150 kilometers south of the city of Chengdu. The town of Emei, situated at an elevation of 550 meters, serves as the starting point for ascending to the summit of the 1000 Buddhas at 3,099 meters. Alternatively, tourists can take a bus that reaches up to 2,450 meters. From there, a cable car ascends to the Golden Summit at 3,075 meters. During the hike, visitors should be cautious of the wild monkeys, which have become tame and, in some cases, quite aggressive due to feeding. Over time, it is said that 150 temple monasteries have been built along the hiking path.
On Lingyun Mountain, overlooking the confluence of the three rivers Min, Dadu, and Qingyi, Buddhist monks carved the Giant Buddha of Leshan between 713 and 803 AD. Standing at 71 meters tall, it was the largest Buddha statue in the world for a long time. An internal drainage system has helped maintain this colossal figure in excellent condition. The spiritual power of the Buddha protected the sailors of the three rivers and also practically facilitated navigation by eliminating shallows with the stone debris from carving. At the top of the mountain, there is a temple crowning the head of the Giant Buddha, which is best viewed from a boat on the river.
