Emei Shan - Sichuan Province

About 80 miles south of Chengdu lies Emei Shan, the highest of China’s four famous Buddhist mountains. Liberally sprinkled with temples and monasteries Emei Shan has a spiritual and ancient quality to it. Most visitors come to climb the mountain and gaze out over the surrounding landscapes, clouds permitting, once they reach the summit. The best time to come is between May and October. Winters tend to be rather harsh and so the climb at this time is best left to the hardiest or most devout. In 1996 Emei Shan was included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites. Sometimes translated as “Delicate Eyebrow Mountain”, in the Chinese tradition of naming things after what they resemble, Emeishan is said to be shaped like the eyebrows of a beautiful girl. Whether you see this resemblance or not, the beauty of the scenery is undisputable, and the mountain offers some great hiking and wildlife-spotting opportunities.