Mount Emei, Sacred Buddhist mountain in Leshan, China

Mount Emei is a mountain in Leshan that rises to 3099 meters above sea level and ranks among the four sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Its forested slopes shelter several dozen monasteries and temples connected by an extensive network of stone staircases and paths.

The first Buddhist structures were built here in the 1st century CE, when monks began erecting monasteries and hermitages in the upper zones. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the number of religious buildings grew considerably, and the mountain developed into a major destination for Buddhist pilgrimages.

Tibetan macaques gather along the trails and often take food from visitors; local merchants sell nuts for feeding them. A one-armed female named Xing Xing appears in online videos, accepting food from an elderly resident and her son while ignoring strangers. Pilgrims travel here to honour Puxian, and many burn sandalwood nearby to send prayers to heaven.

The ascent on foot typically takes two to three days, with overnight options at several monasteries along the route. Cable cars shorten the climb considerably and bring visitors to the upper plateaus in a few hours.

The summit's four spectacles are sunrise, the sea of clouds, Buddha's Light and the Sacred Lamp. Buddha's Light appears as a coloured halo around a visitor's shadow, projected onto cloud or mist below Jinding. The Sacred Lamp is a rare night glow reported on the slopes.