Ting Chen
Quick Look Inside
I've led over 50 tours up Mount Emei. And the one thing that always trips up first-timers? The bus system. Not the mountain itself. The tourist bus is how you get from the base to high-altitude trailheads. But it's not obvious—where to board, which route, when to avoid the crowd. Let me walk you through it, like I'm sitting next to you on the bus.
Here's the deal: the Mount Emei tourist bus is a dedicated shuttle service that runs from the main entrance (Baoguosi) up to Leidongping. That's where you jump off and either hike or take the cable car to the summit (Golden Summit). No private cars allowed beyond the base. So this bus is your only motorized option.
But there are traps. Like booking the wrong ticket. Or getting stuck at a transfer point. I'll show you how to avoid those, step by step.
Why the Tourist Bus is Your Best Bet
You could walk from Baoguosi. But that's 48 km up—most people don't. The bus saves 4–5 hours of uphill slog. And it's cheap. More importantly, the only way to reach Leidongping (the highest trailhead) is via this bus. Your options? Walk 2 days or take a 2-hour bus ride. I know which one I choose.
A few realities: Buses run from about 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (seasonal). They depart when full, usually every 20–30 minutes. The ride is winding—if you get car sick, grab a window seat and some motion sickness pills. I've seen too many people green-faced on switchbacks.
Bus Routes Overview: Baoguo to Leidongping
One main line, with a few important stops. Here's the breakdown:
| Stop | Altitude (m) | What's there | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baoguosi (报国寺) | ~550 | Main base, ticket office, hotels | Start point. Bus departs from Baoguosi Bus Station. |
| Wuyingang (五显岗) | ~750 | Low-mountain section, Qingyin Pavilion | You can get off here to start hiking (but most stay on). |
| Xixiangchi (洗象池) | ~2,070 | Mid-mountain, popular rest area | Fewer buses stop here; check before boarding. |
| Leidongping (雷洞坪) | ~2,430 | Last bus stop, nearest to summit | End of line. From here, 1.5 km walk to cable car. |
Most riders go direct: Baoguosi → Leidongping. That's what I recommend unless you plan to hike a mid-mountain section. Pro tip: if you want to break the journey, get off at Xixiangchi, stretch your legs, then catch the next bus (valid ticket for same day). But seats might be full—so plan wisely.
Ticket Prices & How to Book
Prices change slightly by season, but here's the current spread (verified on site March 2025, but always check official channels):
| Ticket type | Price (CNY) | Valid for |
|---|---|---|
| Full route (Baoguosi ↔ Leidongping) | 90 (round trip) | 2 days |
| Single trip (Baoguosi → Leidongping) | 50 | One way |
| Single trip (Leidongping → Baoguosi) | 40 | One way |
| Children (1.2–1.5 m) | Half price | Same validity |
How to buy: You can get tickets at the Baoguosi bus station counter (cash, WeChat Pay, Alipay – no international credit cards, sorry). Or book via WeChat mini-program “峨眉山景区” (Emeishan Scenic Area). It's in Chinese, but you can use your hotel reception to help. Or use Trip.com (formerly Ctrip) online – search for “Mount Emei bus ticket.”
My tip: Buy your return ticket early. On busy days (weekends, holidays), the bus from Leidongping down sells out by 3 PM. I've seen dozens of people stranded. Pre-purchase inside the mini-program and scan the QR code at the bus stop.
If you need a combined ticket (entrance + bus), I usually advise against it – get the entrance ticket separately at the scenic area gate. That way you can change bus plans.
Time-Saving Strategies from a Guide
You want to get to the summit early? Here's the plan I give my clients:
- Aim for the first bus (6:00 AM in summer, 7:00 AM in winter). Be at Baoguosi bus station by 5:45 AM at the latest.
- Avoid Chinese holidays – Golden Week (first week of October) and Labor Day (May 1-3) mean 3-hour bus queues. Not worth it.
- Weekdays vs weekends – Even a Saturday morning in summer sees 40-minute waits. Tuesday and Wednesday are quietest.
- Bring snacks – The bus ride is 2 hours up and down, and food at Leidongping is expensive (a bowl of noodles 30–40 yuan). I always stash some nuts and a water bottle.
Watch out: The bus from Leidongping for the return often forms a long line, especially from 2 PM onward. If you plan to leave at 4 PM, you might wait 1 hour. Consider taking the bus down earlier, or walk down a section to a lower stop (like Xixiangchi) to catch a less crowded bus.
Another trick: buy the return ticket in advance online. The mini-program shows available departure times – book a slot like “3 PM bus down.” No need to queue for a ticket then.
Bus vs. Cable Car – When to Choose Which
The bus only goes to Leidongping. From there to Golden Summit, you have two options:
| Mode | Duration | Cost (CNY) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk (1.5 km trail) | 40–60 min | Free | Good weather, fit hikers |
| Cable car (Fuhu or Jinding) | 5 min | 55 (up), 45 (down) | Rain, fog, saving time |
I often tell people: if you take the bus, you're already at ~2,400 m. The trail is steps – not super steep, but in fog or after rain, it's slippery. I've seen people arrive at the summit breathless from the 45-minute walk. If you have knee issues or are pressed for time, pay for the cable car.
But here's the mistake: People take the bus to Leidongping, then queue for the cable car (sometimes 50 minutes). Then they realize the line for the bus back is also long. My advice: if you take the cable car up, walk down (or vice versa). It balances time and experience.
Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)
Based on my tours, these are the top 3 bus-related frustrations:
- Wrong ticket sold: Some booths try to sell you a “combined ticket” that includes the cable car. Only buy the bus ticket separately unless you're sure. I once had a guest who paid 200 yuan for a combo they didn't need.
- Missing the last bus down: The last bus from Leidongping to Baoguosi leaves around 18:00 (earlier in winter, around 17:00). If you miss it, you have to walk down 48 km or pay a fortune for a private driver (if you can find one). I've had to squeeze people into a staff van – not fun.
- Bus station confusion: The bus station is NOT at the main scenic area entrance. It's about 300m away, near Baoguosi temple. Look for the covered parking lot. Ask locals “bus station qu na?” and they'll point.
FAQ
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. All information is based on on-site visits and direct communication with the Mount Emei scenic area administration.
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