National park · China
Emeishan National Park峨眉山
Buy a ¥160 entry ticket (¥110 in Dec–Jan), take the cable car to Wannian then hike to the Golden Summit in 1 day, or spend 2–3 days exploring lower temples and the monkey zone; avoid peak holidays (Chinese New Year, May Day).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
600 km² (232 sq mi)232 sq mi (600 km²)
approximate
Established
1996
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 600 km² (232 sq mi)232 sq mi (600 km²)
- Approximate area of the park and surrounding scenic area; official boundaries vary (check).
- Established
- 1996
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Emeishan National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Sichuan, centred on the sacred Buddhist mountain of the same name (3,099 m). The park is a mix of historic temples, forest trails, cable cars and a summit with a giant Samantabhadra statue. It is a day-trip from Chengdu for fit hikers, but the lower third of the mountain (temples, bamboo groves, the monkey zone) is the more interesting part for most visitors. The park is very crowded during Chinese holidays and the rainy season (June–August) limits visibility.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1996Mount Emei and surrounding temples.
Size and age
600 km² (232 sq mi)232 sq mi (600 km²) · national park since 1996
Approximate area of the park and surrounding scenic area; official boundaries vary (check).
Why go
- Walk historic Buddhist temples on a UNESCO World Heritage mountain.
- Reach the Golden Summit with panoramic cloud‑sea views.
- Observe playful monkeys in the lower forest zone.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, fewer tourists.
- FebCold but clear.
- MarMild, early blossoms.
- AprPleasant weather, low crowd.
- MayWarm, dry.
- JunRainy, occasional landslides.
- JulThunderstorms, possible closures.
- AugRainy, high humidity.
- SepClear, post‑monsoon.
- OctCool, dry, good visibility.
- NovCool, fewer visitors.
- DecCold, ticket discount.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monkeys (wild, often aggressive)All year · Do not feed; keep food sealed. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds and butterflies in forestMar–Aug · Best in spring. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Chengdu
High‑speed train to Leshan (≈1 h) then bus 12 to Baoguo Temple (≈30 min).
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Leshan
Bus 12 from Leshan railway station to Baoguo Temple.
1 h
From Emeishan City
Local bus or taxi to Baoguo Temple gate.
15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Baoguo Temple area | Main entrance, ticket office, lower‑mountain temples, bus hub. | Open with ticket. |
| Wannian Monastery & cable car | Cable‑car station, mid‑mountain monastery, trailheads to summit. | Cable‑car ticket required; guide optional. |
| Golden Summit zone | Summit platform, statue of Samantabhadra, views. | Open to hikers with ticket; cable‑car optional. |
Sketch map
- 1Baoguo Temple · Headquarters≈29.571, 103.441Main entrance, ticket office.Map ↗
- 2Golden Summit · Viewpoint≈29.523, 103.337Highest point, statue of Samantabhadra.Map ↗
- 3Leidongping Bus Station · Ranger station≈29.568, 103.447Access point for ski area and upper‑mountain buses.Map ↗
- 4Monkey Zone near Niuxin Pavilion · Trail≈29.548, 103.358Popular spot for observing monkeys.Map ↗
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate centre of the park from Wikidata.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (2‑day ticket) | CNY 110–160 (≈ US$16–25) | person | ¥160 standard; ¥110 Dec 1–Jan 15. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Monkeys
- Feeding prohibited; keep food and bags closed.
- Guides
- Required for any hike beyond Baoguo Temple area.
- Photography
- No photos inside temple interiors unless permitted.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.
Where to stay
In the park
Mt. Emei Hostel 3077
Dorm beds ¥30, double rooms ¥50; basic facilities.
In the park
Teddy Bear Hotel
Dorms ¥40‑70, private rooms ¥80‑200; offers free hiking info.
Near the park
Baoguo Village guesthouses
Rooms ¥60‑120; simple, close to bus hub.
Safety
Monkeys medium
Altitude & steep steps medium
Weather sudden change high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Baoguo Temple area reachable by car with short walks.
- Steep trails and many steps; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Do not feed wildlife; keep the environment clean.
- Choose locally‑run guesthouses and restaurants.
- Use the permitted cable‑car routes to reduce foot traffic.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Emeishan National Park?
A 2‑day entry ticket costs ¥160 per person; it is ¥110 from 1 Dec to 15 Jan.
What are the best hikes in Emeishan National Park?
The classic route is the Golden Summit hike from Wannian (6‑8 h, hard). For a lighter day, the Baoguo Temple lower‑mountain circuit (3‑4 h, moderate) visits Fuhu, Leiyin and the Monkey Zone.
When is the best time to visit Emeishan National Park?
April – May and September – October offer clear weather and moderate crowds. Avoid the rainy months June‑August and major Chinese holidays.
Do I need a guide for the summit?
A guide is required for any hike beyond the Baoguo Temple area, including the Golden Summit.
Can I bring food for the hike?
Yes, but keep it sealed; feeding monkeys is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Emeishan National Park
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