Chengdu Travel Forum

Hello everyone,
I'm going to be in Chengdu in a week or two, and am hoping to climb Emei Shan with my girlfriend. I just want to ask a few questions regarding it. Firstly, how long does it take to get from Chengdu to Emei Shan by bus? Is there an admission price in order to climb it? I've heard you can start your climb at different points on the mountain. Is it a good idea to start from the very bottom of the trail, or is recommended we start a little further up? I've also read that there are guesthouses on the way up, since it takes a few days to climb and descend; are these guesthouses expensive? How frequent are they on the climb? Also, we don't want to bring all our heavy luggage on the trip and would prefer to leave most of it in Chengdu while climbing the mountain. Should we rent out a hotel room just to leave the luggage in there, or is there a more economical way of keeping it in the city, like in safes or lockers of some kind perhaps?

And regarding other things to do in Chengdu: we are hoping to see the Panda breeding centre, Le Shan giant Buddha, Wenchu Temple, Du Fu's Thatched Cottage and perhaps get a bus to Jiuzhaigou if we feel we have the time and money. Can anyone recommend any other fun things to see and do in and around Chengdu city? Any interesting experiences to be had?

I know there are a lot of questions here, which I hope is okay. As always, any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks very much,

Jim

I've never been thre, although it is on my list!

This may help: it has some of the info you want to know, and it was updated fairly recently.
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/sichuan/leshan/
It doesn't say anything about climbing it though!

My map says apart from Du Fu's thatched cottage, there is also qingyang temple near it, and further south, temple of marquis wu. I'm not sure how far Wolong Panda place is from Chengdu. Perhaps you can tell all when you know!

We took about 5 hours from Chengdu to Emei Shan but mainly as roads were flooded and we had to "go bush" so really can't help you there. We did have to get a ticket at Emei shan but can't remember what it was for...got us into the museum as well tho.

I loved Emei Shan, we stayed in monasteries at the base near the museum (Baguo)and then about half way up - Fairy Peak monastery. Monasteries were very cheap, great vegetarian food and a lovely experience = we did book beforehand. There are also some guesthouses.

Must admit I didn't climb all the way up (used bus and cable car) but did a lot more coming down.

Saw all the places you saw and they are good to see. Had the best meal ever in Chengdu - we tried 32 different types of fungi at a great restaurant in the new-old town - wish I had kept the card but I think it is in Wohouci Hengjie. This restaurant really only serves fungi fom the area...amazing what you can do with a mushroom or toadstool! Also went to a cultural show which was good - particularly shadow puppets. Peoples Park is pleasant for a walk, markets if they are on and there was an art show on when we were there, very interesting.

The following sites may help:

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alexbright/worldtour2007-8/1183573260/tpod.html

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/china/emei-shan.htm

Hostels, guesthouses and hotels that you've stayed at or will be staying at, should usually be ok to help you keep luggage, usually for free too. Train and long-distance bus stations will also have left luggage facilities but of cours you'll have to pay for those.

2.5 hours from Chengdu to Emei,take the bus at Chengdu Tourist Transportation & Service Center(former Xinnanmen Bus Station).

If you plan to visit Le Shan, suggest you visit Leshan first. 2 hours from Chengdu at the same bus station.

After your trip to Leshan, simply call a taxi or take a bus at the entrance of Le Shan Budda heading downtown, then take a bus to Emei. Usually those buses only go to the center of Emei city rather than the park. Once you arrive the bus station at Emei city, transfer the mini bus(same bus station) to Mt. Emei. It takes an hour from Le Shan to Emei city(since not via highway), and 15 minutes from Emei city to the entrance of park.

Of course almost every scenery spot charges admission in China, you have to pay the admission approximately 10 pounds. It is valid for 2 days. It's almost impossbile for a tourist finishing the complete routes(more than 3) without taking the bus and cable car inside the park.

Suggest you take the bus to Leidongping, stay at private hostels. It's about 4 pounds a night for a double beds room with private bath.

Climb the peak(Jinding) very early of the next morning if you do not take the cable car. If lucky enough, you may enjoy the gorgeous sunrise, otherwise beautiful cloud sea. When descending, watch out your belongings since some monkeys might grab your stuff.

For scenery spots you've mentioned in Chengdu, they can all be easily accessed by bus. The panda breeding center is located outside of the city but more than half day trip is pretty enough.

Sichuan is a lovely place and I am sure you gonna enjoy your trip.

You can stop at the giant Buddha at Leshan on your way to Emeishan. If I recall correctly, it's about 2 hours to Leshan and then another 2 hours to the base of Emeishan.

Regarding guesthouses, I think you will find them close to the cable car stations. You can also stay at monastaries along the way too. Just be warned though climbing it involves a lot of walking ups and downs steps, as the steeper slopes often have stairs instead of a simple path. It is a lot of exercise as you have to lift your feet up for each step, which is quite different from hiking. Don't think there is an admission to climb the mountain, but there are charges for visiting some temples and using the cable car.

THere is an area just below the "Golden Top" (straight from translation) that have lots of monkeys. Be careful if you have food with you. The monkeys are quite aggressive. Useful if you have a walking stick with you. I had to fight with the monkeys - and I had to give up my food.

thanks for your replies everyone, they were all very helpful :)

Jim