How to Get from Chengdu to Mount Emei by Train & Public Transport (2026)

Quick Answer

Take a high-speed train from Chengdu East Station (成都东站) to Emeishan Station (峨眉山站) — about 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, ¥52–65 in second class. Right outside the station, take bus 12 (¥2, ~30 min) or a taxi (¥15–20, ~10 min) to Baoguo Temple / the Huangwan Visitor Center, where you buy your mountain entry ticket and board the scenic-area sightseeing bus to Leidongping. This is the standard and most reliable route. Trains run from approximately 06:34 to 23:27, with around 50–55 departures per day.

Mount Emei (峨眉山) is one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (listed together with the Leshan Giant Buddha). Its summit, the Golden Summit (金顶), stands at 3,079 m. The mountain is large — most visitors use a combination of scenic-area bus, cable car, and walking rather than hiking from the base.

[!NOTE] There are two stations in the Emei area: Emeishan Station (峨眉山站), the high-speed rail station closest to the scenic area, and Emei Station (峨眉站), an older station slightly farther away. For the mountain, always book to 峨眉山 (Emeishan).

Compare Your Options

Option 1 — High-Speed Train + Taxi/Bus (Recommended)

Step-by-step

1. Get to Chengdu East Station (成都东站). Take Chengdu Metro Line 2 or Line 7 to Chengdu East Railway Station. Allow 30–45 minutes from the city center by metro.

2. Buy a ticket to Emeishan Station (峨眉山站). Book on 12306.cn or the 12306 app up to 15 days ahead, or at the station with your passport.

   • Travel time: 1h05 to 1h20 for most direct services
   • Fare: ¥52–65 in second class; ¥83–104 in first class; business class ¥143–194
   • Frequency: Around 50–55 departures per day
   • First train: Around 06:34 (C6273)
   • Last train from Chengdu: Around 23:27
   • Last train back from Emeishan: Around 22:09
   • Most trains depart from Chengdu East; some also call at Chengdu South and Shuangliu Airport.

   [!TIP] Some trains terminate at "Emei" (峨眉) rather than "Emeishan" (峨眉山). If your ticket says 峨眉, you have arrived at the older station, which is slightly farther from the scenic area. You can still reach Baoguo Temple by local bus or taxi, but it adds time.

3. From Emeishan Station to the mountain.

   • By taxi / DiDi: The station is about 2.7–4.5 km from the Baoguo Temple / Huangwan Visitor Center area. A taxi costs about ¥15–20 and takes 10 minutes. This is the easiest option.
   • By bus: Bus 12 runs from the station to Baoguo Temple (报国寺) / the tourist center. Fare is ¥2; the ride takes about 30 minutes. Bus 5A, 8, and 11 also connect the station to parts of the scenic area.
   • There is also a free shuttle bus (Line 2) between Emeishan HSR Station and the Baoguo Temple Passenger Transport Center — look for signs outside the station.

4. Enter the scenic area and board the sightseeing bus. At Baoguo Temple Passenger Transport Center (or Huangwan Visitor Center), buy your mountain entry ticket and a sightseeing bus ticket. The bus is compulsory for reaching the upper mountain — private cars are not allowed above the zero-kilometer point.

   • Scenic-area bus (Baoguo/Huangwan ↔ Leidongping): ¥90 round-trip
   • Journey time to Leidongping: About 1.5–2 hours on winding mountain roads
   • Bus operating hours: 07:00–17:00 (summer), 07:00–16:00 (winter), every 20–30 minutes; more frequent during holidays

5. From Leidongping to the Golden Summit.

   • Walk about 1.5 km (30–40 min uphill) from Leidongping to the Jieyin Hall cable car station.
   • Take the Jinding (Golden Summit) Cable Car up: ¥65 up / ¥55 down, 5 minutes.
   • The cable car drops you near the Golden Summit, where the 10-sided Samantabhadra statue and golden temples are located.

Scenic area essentials (2026 reference)

• Mountain entry: ¥160 per adult (high season, Jan 16 – Dec 14); ¥110 (low season, Dec 15 – Jan 15)
• Sightseeing bus: ¥90 round-trip (Baoguo/Huangwan ↔ Leidongping)
• Jinding cable car: ¥65 up / ¥55 down
• Wannian cable car (mid-mountain): ¥65 one-way
• Opening hours: 06:00–18:30 (high season); 07:00–17:50 (low season)
• Time needed: A full day for the Golden Summit by bus + cable car; 2 days for a more relaxed visit including mid-mountain temples.

[!IMPORTANT] Since May 23, 2026, the Golden Summit area has had a daily entry limit (around 8,000 tickets) and the Jinding Cableway / Leidongping bus station are under renovation expected to finish by end of 2027. Book your mountain entry ticket and bus ticket well in advance via the official "峨眉山景区" WeChat mini-program.

Option 2 — High-Speed Train + Public Bus (Cheapest)

Follow steps 1–2 above, then take bus 12 from outside Emeishan Station to Baoguo Temple:

• Fare: ¥2 (pay by Alipay/WeChat QR or exact change)
• Journey time: 25–35 minutes depending on stops
• Buses run from early morning until early evening; verify the last departure locally.

Total one-way cost: as little as ¥54 (¥52 train + ¥2 bus).

From Baoguo Temple, proceed as described in Option 1 (buy entry + bus ticket, board the scenic-area bus).

Option 3 — Direct Coach Bus

A direct long-distance bus runs from Chengdu's Xinnanmen Bus Station (新南门车站) to the Emeishan Tourism Bus Center at Baoguo Temple:

• Fare: Around ¥51
• Duration: 2.5–3 hours
• Departures: Approximately every 30–60 minutes from 07:20 to 19:35 (buses leave when full)
• The bus drops you directly at the Baoguo Temple Passenger Transport Center, from which you board the scenic-area bus.

This is a reasonable option if you are staying near Xinnanmen or want a one-seat ride to the mountain base. However, it is slower than the train and subject to traffic.

How to Get Back

• Trains from Emeishan to Chengdu East run until approximately 22:09. The fastest take about 52 minutes to 1h15.
• The scenic-area bus from Leidongping down to Baoguo runs until around 18:00 in summer (16:00 in winter) — do not get stranded uphill.
• Allow at least 1.5–2 hours from Leidongping back to Emeishan Station (bus down + local transfer), plus 30 minutes for railway security.
• Book your return train in advance, especially on weekends and holidays.
• If you miss the last train, you will need to stay overnight in Emeishan city (hotels near Baoguo Temple start around ¥150–300/night). There are no late-night taxis back to Chengdu.

Combining with Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan and Emei are on the same intercity railway line, just one stop apart (11–15 minutes by train, ¥6–11). A common 2-day itinerary:

• Day 1: Chengdu → Leshan (visit Giant Buddha) → train to Emeishan → stay near Baoguo Temple
• Day 2: Full day on Mount Emei (Golden Summit) → train back to Chengdu

Trying to see both in one day is possible but very rushed — you would only have time for the Golden Summit via bus + cable car, not the mid-mountain temples.

Chinese Names You May Need

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Booking to "Emei" (峨眉) instead of "Emeishan" (峨眉山). They are different stations. Emeishan (峨眉山站) is the high-speed rail station right next to the scenic area. Emei (峨眉站) is older and farther away. Double-check the Chinese characters before paying.

2. Underestimating the mountain's size. Mount Emei is not a "walk up a hill" destination. From the base entrance to the Golden Summit is over 50 km of steep trails. Even fit hikers need 10+ hours one-way. Use the scenic bus and cable car unless you are planning a multi-day trek.

3. Not pre-booking during peak season. Since May 2026, the Golden Summit has daily entry limits and the cableway is under renovation. Book mountain entry and bus tickets via the official WeChat mini-program days in advance. Same-day tickets may sell out.

4. Missing the last scenic-area bus down. The last bus from Leidongping to Baoguo leaves around 18:00 (summer) / 16:00 (winter). If you miss it, you may be forced to stay overnight on the mountain at inflated prices.

5. Forgetting warm clothing and rain gear. The Golden Summit at 3,079 m is 10–15°C cooler than Chengdu, even in summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are common. Bring layers, a rain jacket, and sturdy shoes.

6. Trying to do Leshan + Emei in one day. It is physically possible but exhausting and leaves no time for the mid-mountain temples. If you want both, plan an overnight in Emeishan.

7. Feeding or approaching the monkeys. Mount Emei's Tibetan macaques can be aggressive. Do not open food bags near them, keep bags zipped, and do not make eye contact or show teeth. Monkey attacks resulting in bites are not uncommon.

Before You Go

• Mountain entry: ¥160 (high season) / ¥110 (low season), valid for two consecutive days
• Sightseeing bus: ¥90 round-trip
• Jinding cable car: ¥65 up / ¥55 down
• Opening hours: 06:00–18:30 (high season); 07:00–17:50 (low season)
• Recommended visit duration: Full day (Golden Summit only); 2 days (Golden Summit + mid-mountain)
• Book tickets in advance via the "峨眉山景区" WeChat mini-program or Trip.com. Bring your passport.
• There is currently no Crowd Forecast for Mount Emei on China Local Help.

Still Not Sure How to Get There?

Planning a Mount Emei trek or a Sichuan multi-stop trip? Our Chengdu-based team can help with train tickets, mountain entry reservations, private drivers, and itinerary planning. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp.

Related Guides

• Chengdu Travel Guide — full city guide
• Chengdu to Leshan Giant Buddha by Train — combine both on one trip
• Chengdu to Dujiangyan by Train — an easier Chengdu day trip
• 12306 High-Speed Rail Guide — booking Chinese train tickets as a foreigner

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Train schedules and fares are based on 12306.cn, TravelChinaGuide (updated July 7, 2026), Ctrip/Trip.com listings, and official Mount Emei scenic area information (2026). Times and fares may change — always check 12306 and the official "峨眉山景区" WeChat account for your travel date.

Last verified: August 2026