How to get to Mount Emei: Fastest & Cheapest Routes from Chengdu

Ting Chen 15 Jul 2026 1 reads 8 min read

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updated: 15 Jul 2026 reviewer: Lili Feng 2026-07-15

⚡ Quick Jump to Your Route

High-Speed Rail: Chengdu to Emeishan
Long-Distance Bus: Budget & Direct
Self-Driving: Scenic but Tricky
Private Transfer: Door-to-Door Comfort
Flying? Only If You're Coming from Far
From Base to Summit: Cable Cars & Hiking
Frequently Asked Questions

I've lost count of how many times I've made this trip. The first time, I followed a blog that told me to take bus No. 5 from Emeishan station — what a mistake. The queues, the wrong platform, the haggling. Mount Emei is sacred, but getting there shouldn't be a pilgrimage of confusion. So here's the unfiltered truth from a guide who's done every route, including the ones that'll make you want to punch Google Maps. Mount Emei transportation

High-Speed Rail: My #1 Pick (Chengdu to Emeishan)

Most travelers start from Chengdu. The fastest way? The bullet train. It slices through rural Sichuan at 250 km/h, getting you from Chengdu East Station to Emeishan Station in about 1 hour 10 minutes. I book through 12306 or the Trip.com app — the official 12306 site is in Chinese but has an English interface.
Ticket price: Around 65 RMB (second class) one-way. First class is about 100 RMB — not worth it for such a short ride.
Frequency: Every 20–30 minutes from 6:30 am to 9:00 pm.
Pain point: Emeishan Station is not actually at the mountain. It's in the city of Emeishan, about 10 km from the Baoguo Temple entrance. You'll need a local bus (bus 12, 1 RMB) or a taxi (30–40 RMB, 20 minutes). Tip: Ignore the touts at the station exit — they charge 80 RMB. Walk 100 meters to the main road and hail a Didi for half the price.

Long-Distance Bus: Cheapest but Slowest

If you're on a backpacker budget, buses are your friend. Xinnanmen Bus Station in Chengdu runs direct coaches to Mount Emei scenic area (arrives at Baoguo Temple parking lot).
Price: 50 RMB per person.
Duration: 2.5–3 hours (depending on traffic).
Schedule: Roughly every hour between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Let me save you some trouble: book at least a day in advance during Chinese holidays (Golden Week, May Day). The bus station gets insane. I once saw a line stretch two blocks. Also, the bus drops you off at the main gate, not the cable car station. From there, you still need to walk 15 minutes or take the scenic bus inside.

Self-Driving: Scenic but Tricky

Renting a car gives you flexibility. The drive from Chengdu to Mount Emei via the G93 expressway takes about 2 hours (150 km). Tolls cost around 45 RMB.
Where to park: There are three main parking lots near the base. P1 (next to Baoguo Temple) fills up by 9 am on weekends. I always tell my clients to park at P3, a 5-minute walk further up — it's less crowded and only 20 RMB/day.
Reality check: The mountain road is steep and wraps around dozens of hairpins. If you're not used to driving in mountain fog, skip it. Also, your rental car might not have winter tires if you go between November and March. Check before you book. Chengdu to Emeishan train

Private Transfer: Zero Hassle, Moderate Cost

For groups of 3–4, a private transfer is surprisingly affordable. I use Ctrip or a local driver I've known for years. Price: 200–300 RMB per car (sedan) from Chengdu city center to the mountain base.
Why I recommend it: The driver picks you up from your hotel door, drops you at the ticket entrance, and you don't waste time waiting. My record is door-to-door in 1 hour 45 minutes (no traffic).
Catch: The driver will try to upsell you a round trip. Only agree if you know your exact return time. Otherwise, just book one-way and use Didi on the way back.

Flying? Only If You're Coming from Far

The nearest airport is Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. From there, you can take a taxi to Chengdu East Station (30 minutes, 50 RMB) and catch the high-speed rail. Or take a direct bus from the airport to Mount Emei — but it's rare and runs only 3 times a day.
If you fly into Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (the big new one further south), you're looking at a 1-hour subway ride to the city center first. Honestly, it's not worth the extra leg unless you're already flying into Sichuan. Mount Emei bus from Chengdu

Pro shortcut: From Tianfu Airport, take Subway Line 18 to Chengdu South Station, then transfer to the high-speed rail to Emeishan. Total time: 2 hours. More convenient than going to the city center.

From Base to Summit: Cable Cars & Hiking

Once you reach the scenic area entrance (Baoguo Temple or Huangwan), you need two things: a scenic area ticket (160 RMB peak season) and a decision. Most people take the cable car up from Jieyin Hall to Golden Summit.
Cable car price: 55 RMB up, 45 RMB down (peak season). The ride takes 10 minutes and saves 2–3 hours of steep hiking.
Hiking route: From Baoguo Temple to Golden Summit is 50 km — doable in 1.5 days if you stay overnight at temples like Xixiang Chi. I've done it in 7 hours on a crazy sprint, but I don't recommend it.
My advice: Take the scenic bus (50 RMB round trip) from the entrance to Wannian Temple, then cable car up to the top. Combine bus + cable car = 2 hours from base to summit. Perfect for a day trip. Emei Shan cable car access

Time hack: The cable car line at Jieyin Hall can hit 2 hours on weekends. Go early (before 8 am) or after 3 pm. I usually tell my clients to hike up from Wannian Temple to the upper cable car station — 40 minutes, beautiful forest, and you skip the main queue.

Don't make my mistake: The last scenic bus down from Leidongping leaves at 6 pm sharp. If you miss it, you're paying 300 RMB for a private car or walking 2 hours downhill in the dark. Set an alarm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my international credit card to buy train tickets on 12306?

In most cases, no. 12306 requires Chinese bank cards or Alipay/WeChat Pay. The easiest workaround is to use Trip.com (which accepts Visa/Mastercard) with a small booking fee, or buy tickets over the counter at Chengdu East Station using cash. Always carry enough RMB — Amtrak-style agent may be non-existent.

I only have one day in Chengdu. Can I still see Mount Emei?

Yes, if you're disciplined. Catch the 6:30 am bullet train from Chengdu East, arrive at Emeishan by 7:40, grab a taxi to the scenic bus station, ride to Jieyin Hall, take the cable car, spend 1 hour at Golden Summit, then reverse everything. You'll be back in Chengdu by 6 pm. It's rushed — I've done it with jet-lagged clients — but the sunrise view is worth the exhaustion.

I heard there are monkeys on the mountain. Any tips to avoid trouble?

Yes, the Tibetan macaques in the Wannian Temple area are notorious. They've snatched phones, water bottles, and even my client's glasses. Keep all food and shiny objects zipped inside your bag. Don't make eye contact or smile showing teeth — they see it as a threat. If a monkey approaches, drop your bag and walk away. It's better to lose an apple than get scratched.

What's the cheapest way to get to Mount Emei from Leshan?

Leshan and Mount Emei are close — only 30 km apart. Take bus 601 from Leshan Coach Station to Emeishan Scenic Area (8 RMB, 1 hour). Or share a taxi with other travelers for about 100 RMB. Many travelers combine a Leshan Giant Buddha visit with Mount Emei in two days.

Do I need to book Mount Emei entrance tickets in advance?

Absolutely, especially during July-August and national holidays. You can book on the official WeChat mini-program "峨眉山景区" (Emeishan Scenic Area). It's all in Chinese — ask your hotel to help you. If you arrive without a reservation, you might be turned away. I've had desperate clients offer double the price — no luck.

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.

Ting Chen

Ting Chen, a Lhasa and Chengdu-based Certified Senior Tour Guide, specializes in Southwest China itineraries covering the Potala Palace, Everest Base Camp, and Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong.