Mt.Emei is inhabited by over 2,300 species of animals,of which 29spoecies are listed under the state protetion. The animal species comprises 51 mammals,256 birds ,34 reptiles,33 amphibians, 60 fishes,42 oligochaetes and over 1,000 insect species. Above all,Mt.Emei is famous for its miraculous power and wonderous beauty.
The mountain is shrouded in an ever_hanging cloud of frog.Fir trees,pines and cedars clothe the slopes; lofty crags, cloud_kissing precipices, butterflies and azaleas together form a nature reserve of sorts.As travelers hike the mountain, passing the diversity of landscape,which includes the Buddhist Temples in Clouds,the Seas of Azaleas,Chinese Orchids ata Stalagmite Valley, and a beautiful view at the Goldebn Summit. The peaks or ridges rise one higher than another; the footpaths snake through and are difficult to follow. In spring, the forests look green; in summer, the azaleas are in full bloom; in autumn,colourful leaves cover the mountain; in winter,snow covers the mountain like a silvery world.
Totrists usually start their ascent of the mountain at baoguo monastery, originally constructed in the 6th century but entirely rebuilt in the 17th. There are two paths to jinding, named after a glistening bronxe hall that once crowned the main peak of the mountain. the northern path is wide and easy to follow. The southern path is more rugged and winding. Because it is easier to go up than to come down, most people ascend by the southern route and return on the northern one. At present, there is a cable-car transportation up to the summit. Tourists can continue either on foot or by cable-car.
The northern route passes bailong cave, wannian monastery and zhanlao terrace. The southern route passes through Fuhu Monastery, Qingyinge Monastery, Jiulao Cave and Yuxian Monastery. The two paths converge and lead to xixiang pool so called after the legend that puxian passed here on his white elphant, which he washed in the pool before resuming his trip. Xixiang pool is the place where tourists frequently come across wild monkeys who usually stand along the path begging for food from tourists. The chinese find the monkeys an integral part of the mountain trip and like to offer them some food fo0r fun. If you have no food, you should thrust open palms towards the monkeys to show you have no food. The path continues to leidongping tettace, a small temple in which the thunder god was supposed to live, and finally to jinding-the golden summit itself.
The hiking is spectacular and tiring, and the path difficult to follow in places. No matter whether you ascend or descend, youy have to keep a cautious eye on the next step. you should stop occasionally to get a longer view and enjoy the beautiful scenes. The scenery is also and excusw to rest and let your pounding hearts slow down. Whenever you come across a lovely waterfall and spectacular gorge, you should sit by the waterfall, content with the stately beauty and blessings of that spot.
So,there is a popular saying :“No place under the heraven is as beautiful as Mt.Emei.”
As travelers arrived Mt.emei, there are three routes to enjoy the mountain. The first choice is taking a hiking route, which takes three days. The other two choices is making use of local sightseeing bus and cable car. More details are given in Guide of Mt.emei. What we have to remind you is, there are time limits of tour buses and cable cars.
It is a good choice to go to Mt.emei after you visit the giant Buddha with only 40min driving. And it‘s easy to catch bus both in Chengdu and Leshan.