Where you stay on Mount Emei determines what you can realistically do the next morning. The mountain has accommodation at three levels – the base town, the mid-mountain monasteries, and near the summit – and each suits a different plan.
The main decision is whether you want a sunrise at the Golden Summit. If you do, staying high is the only way to get one.
The largest choice of hotels, the best value, and the most restaurants. It is where most visitors stay, and it works well if you are doing a day ascent by shuttle and cable car.
The monasteries and guesthouses on the slopes. Basic, atmospheric, and positioned for walking between temples rather than for riding shuttles. This is the choice for people who want to walk the mountain.
Hotels at the top, expensive for the standard, and the only way to be at the summit for sunrise. Book well ahead – capacity is limited and it fills.
| Level | Best for | Comfort | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base town | Day ascents, value, food | Highest | Lowest |
| Mid-mountain | Walking between temples | Basic | Moderate |
| Summit area | Sunrise and sunset | Moderate | Highest |
Stay near the summit. The first cable car of the day does not run early enough for sunrise, and walking up in the dark is not a realistic alternative for most visitors.
Book as early as you can. Summit accommodation is limited, and in peak season it sells out well in advance.
Set an alarm and give yourself time to walk from the hotel to the terraces. The summit is cold before dawn in every season – bring everything you have.
Stay mid-mountain. The trails between the monasteries are the best part of Emei for walkers, and staying on the slopes puts you on them rather than on a bus.
Expect basic conditions. Monastery accommodation is simple, and that is part of the experience rather than a defect – but know it going in.
Stay at the base. The town has the full range of hotels and the best food, and the shuttle makes a day ascent straightforward from there.
This is also the right choice if you are combining Emei with Leshan, since the base town is where the transport connections are.
Confirm heating. The mountain is cold outside summer, and not all accommodation at the higher levels heats well.
Book ahead in peak season and public holidays, particularly for anything above the base town.
Food is simplest at the base and gets more limited and more expensive the higher you go. Monastery meals are simple vegetarian food, and they are worth having.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sunrise | Requires staying near the summit |
| Walking | Best from mid-mountain |
| Value | Base town |
| Book | Well ahead above the base |
No – the first cable car runs too late. Stay high or miss it.
For sunrise, yes. For comfort, no – the base town is better value.
Yes at the mid-mountain temples. Simple conditions, and worth doing once.
Early for anything above the base, especially in peak season.
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