Mount Emei Private Day Trip & Cable Car from Chengdu

Summary

Chengdu to Mount Emei: Gold Summit Day Tour with Local Guide

You’ll travel from Chengdu to Mount Emei with a local guide, ride the cable car up through misty forests to Gold Summit, see the massive Golden Buddha, and share lunch overlooking sweeping views. Alongside Buddhist history and temple visits, it’s an experience you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I’d always heard about Mount Emei, but seeing it from Chengdu is something else. There’s this quiet excitement when you leave the city behind — our guide, Li, met us at the hotel (she was holding my name on a sign, which felt oddly official for someone like me). The drive out took a couple of hours, but I barely noticed; misty hills rolled past the window and Li pointed out little villages and tea fields. She told us stories about the mountain’s place in Chinese Buddhism — honestly, I didn’t expect to care so much about that part, but her way of explaining things made it feel alive.

When we finally got to Mount Emei Scenic Area, everything smelled like pine needles and wet earth. We switched to a local bus (the driver had this radio playing old pop songs) and then took the cable car up toward the Gold Summit. That ride — wow. You’re just floating above these forests that seem endless. At the top, there’s this 48-meter Golden Buddha statue that almost glows in the fog. I tried to take a photo but gave up; it’s one of those things you have to see for yourself. Lunch was simple but warm — noodles with chili oil that made my nose run (Li laughed at my face). The air up there is thin and cold even in summer; I kept rubbing my hands together without thinking.

We wandered around after lunch, Li telling us about monks who still live up here and all these tiny rituals people do for luck or peace. If there’s time (we had just enough), you can stop at Baoguo Temple on the way down — huge bronze bell, porcelain Buddha, incense everywhere. It’s quieter than I expected; people move slowly, almost whispering. On the drive back to Chengdu I kept replaying that moment on the summit when everything went silent except for wind chimes somewhere behind me. Still think about it sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mount Emei Tour and Sightseeing

• Travel from Chengdu to Emei Mountain
• Visit Golden Buddha Statue and learn Buddhism history
• Lunch at Golden Summit and visit Baoguo Temple

Top questions

How long does the Mount Emei private day trip from Chengdu take?

The full day tour lasts around 10–11 hours including transfers between Chengdu and Mount Emei.

Is lunch included on this day trip to Mount Emei?

Yes, lunch is included at Gold Summit as part of your private tour experience.

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Chengdu?

Yes, your guide will pick you up directly from your hotel in Chengdu before heading to Mount Emei.

Is there a cable car ride on this Mount Emei day trip?

The tour includes round-trip cable car tickets between Leidongping and Gold Summit on Mount Emei.

Can we visit Baoguo Temple during this private tour?

If time allows after visiting Gold Summit, your guide may include a stop at Baoguo Temple before returning to Chengdu.

What is special about Mount Emei near Chengdu?

Mount Emei is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Buddhist culture, rare plants and animals, and scenic views from Gold Summit.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Chengdu by your English-speaking guide, all entrance fees for Mount Emei and temples, round-trip cable car tickets to Gold Summit, bottled water along the way, a traditional lunch at the summit restaurant, and private transport back to your hotel after exploring these sacred mountains together.