A three-day trip to southwestern Sichuan in January 2026: Emei Mountain's sea of clouds, Leshan's fireworks, and Pengzhen's slow pace of life.
January 30th | Departure from Shanghai, Heading to the Snowy Mountains and Buddhist Kingdom
· Wake up at 5:00 AM, depart at 5:55 AM, take the first train on Line 10 to the airport.
· Arrive at Hongqiao Terminal 2 at 6:21 AM, go through security, have a quick breakfast and rest.
· Take flight MU5401 from Shanghai Hongqiao to Chengdu Shuangliu.
· Land in Chengdu at 11:40 AM, pick up the pre-rented car at the airport.
· Depart from the airport at 12:10 PM, drive along the Beijing-Kunming Expressway and Chengdu-Leshan Expressway, a total distance of approximately 137 kilometers, stopping at Tianfu Service Area for a rest and lunch.
· Arrive at Huangwan Visitor Center, Emei Mountain at 3:38 PM. Tickets are 160 RMB + round-trip shuttle bus 90 RMB. Just caught the 4:00 PM shuttle bus; the last bus is at 4:30 PM.
· The shuttle bus makes a short stop for rest every 50 minutes before continuing.
· Arrive at Leidongping at 5:30 PM and check into a hotel near the parking lot. After dropping off our luggage, we strolled around, walking to the lower cable car station and back. Along the way, we encountered a troop of wild monkeys from Mount Emei. The snow-covered Mount Emei was crisp, tranquil, and exceptionally beautiful.
· Dinner was at Leidongping. The braised beef and sausage were authentic and delicious, paired with local wild vegetables – a very satisfying meal.
· After dinner, we went back to our room early to rest. The room had underfloor heating, making it warm and comfortable, giving us plenty of rest for the Golden Summit climb the next day.
January 31st | Night Climb to the Golden Summit, Witnessing the Sea of Clouds and Gongga Mountain
· Woke up at 4:00 AM and set off on our hike to the Golden Summit at 4:50 AM. The cable car (65 RMB up/55 RMB down) didn't start operating until about 7:30 AM.
· The mountain path was slippery in the darkness. We encountered many tourists climbing overnight, some even having hiked the entire way from Baoguo Temple – truly admirable.
· Arrived at the lower cable car station at 5:05, reached the Dressing Table at 5:40, arrived at the upper cable car station at 6:30, and arrived at the Ten Directions Samantabhadra statue at 6:47.
· Climbed to the Golden Summit at 7:01. It was still dark and the temperature was low, so we went to Huazang Temple to seek shelter and warm up. Inside the temple, many devout believers were chanting sutras, creating a peaceful and solemn atmosphere.
· The cloud cover was thick that day, and despite several attempts to ascend and descend the Golden Summit, we couldn't see the sunrise. We rested briefly at the mountaintop teahouse and had a free cup of ginger tea to warm ourselves.
· Around 9:30, the weather cleared, the blue sky gradually appeared, and the clouds were pressed down beneath the mountains.
· From the Golden Summit viewing platform, the sea of clouds stretched across the sky like a vast expanse of cotton wool. The snow-capped peaks of Mount Gongga appeared and disappeared above the clouds, truly witnessing the awe-inspiring sight of "Golden Summit above the clouds, Emei Mountain under heaven."
· In the distance, the solitary peak of Wanfoding rises abruptly, its summit, Wanfo Pavilion, appearing and disappearing in the snow and mist, like a celestial palace.
· At 10:30, we walked down the mountain. The steps were slippery, so progress was slow. We returned to Leidongping at 11:30. After lunch at the hotel, we checked out.
· At 13:00, we took the scenic area shuttle bus down the mountain. At 14:48, we returned to the Huangwan Visitor Center, retrieved our car, and set off. Parking in the scenic area is free.
· We then drove approximately 50 kilometers via the Chengdu-Chongqing Ring Expressway, arriving at the Leshan Giant Buddha parking lot at 15:40. The parking lot is quite far from the scenic area, requiring a shuttle bus. The entrance fee is 80 yuan, and a guided tour costs 160 yuan (including the shuttle bus fee).
· The Leshan Giant Buddha is the world's largest stone-carved Maitreya Buddha statue. Its construction was initiated by the Tang Dynasty monk Haitong and took 90 years to complete. Standing majestically over the river, it is awe-inspiring, with the confluence of the Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu rivers on its side. Along the way, you can admire the scattered grottoes, ancient pagodas, and temples. After the tour, walk back to the parking lot.
· Depart at 17:13, a 10-minute drive to the hotel near Leshan Food Street for check-in.
· Enjoy dinner featuring local delicacies such as intangible cultural heritage braised beef, sweet-skinned duck, and ice jelly – a truly unforgettable experience.
February 1st | Leshan Morning Market and Slow Tea in Pengzhen Ancient Town
· Wake up at 7:30, depart at 8:30, and walk 1.7 kilometers to Huiyuan Street on Jiaxiang Road. The old street is full of local flavor in the early morning, brimming with the warmth of everyday life. Enjoy dishes like leaf-wrapped rice cakes, crispy steamed buns, shumai, and pig's blood and intestine soup – every bite a taste of a local morning.
· Return to the hotel at 10:15 to collect luggage and check out. Drive to Pengzhen Ancient Town. The journey is approximately 134 kilometers via the Chengdu-Leshan Expressway. Upon arrival, park the car in a private courtyard next to the ancient town.
· The winding cobblestone streets of the ancient town are lined with authentic Western Sichuan folk houses, old shops, and teahouses everywhere, where time seems to slow down.
· Along the way, sample local snacks like wooden bucket tofu pudding, braised rabbit, and guokui (a type of flatbread), all with authentic flavors that will leave you wanting more.
· When you're tired from exploring, head to Guanyinge Old Teahouse and order a bowl of covered tea for 10 yuan. This is the soul of Pengzhen and one of the best-preserved century-old teahouses in Western Sichuan, dating back to the Qing Dynasty. The traditional stove, the muddy floor, the old bamboo chairs, and the old slogans on the walls all bear the marks of time; sitting down here is like experiencing a moment of tranquility.
· Depart from the ancient town at 3:30 PM, drive 30 kilometers, and arrive at Chengdu Tianfu Square at 4:00 PM to return the rental car, concluding this trip to Southwest Sichuan.
Trip Summary
· This trip around Chengdu covered approximately 300 kilometers, mainly on highways. Road conditions were good, and renting a car was convenient and flexible.
· This trip was incredibly lucky: I witnessed a magnificent sea of clouds at the Golden Summit of Emei Mountain, with distant views of Mount Gongga; the Leshan morning market was full of vibrant energy; and Pengzhen Ancient Town was an unexpected delight.
· Choosing Leidongping for accommodation on Emei Mountain was a wise decision, as it allowed for an early morning climb and a midday descent, perfectly avoiding peak tourist seasons. In the future, I'd like to hike the entire way up from Baoguo Temple to truly experience Emei.
· Leshan boasts a wealth of authentic and delicious food, making it worth a special trip for the food; Pengzhen, however, requires a slower pace to truly appreciate its charm—a cup of tea, a stroll through the streets, a bite of local snack.