Route
Chengdu to EmeishanEmeishan to Chengdu: take the train or fly?
Mount Emei is about an hour from Chengdu by train, and the same line stops at Leshan, where the Giant Buddha sits. A lot of people see both on one loop out of the city.
Chengdu 成都
Chengdu East
Emeishan 峨眉山
Emeishan
- 2nd class
- from ¥54 ≈ $8
- Departures
- ~54/day
- 05:40–21:50
- Train types
- C · D · G
- Flight
- no flights — too short
Around 54 trains a day cover it in about an hour for roughly ¥55 second class, most from Chengdu East. Emeishan station is in the town, about 15 minutes from the Baoguo trailhead. The same line stops at Leshan, so a common plan is the Giant Buddha in the morning, then on to the mountain.
Should you take the train or fly?
Take the train — nothing flies this route. Mount Emei has no airport, and it wouldn’t matter if it did: the train from Chengdu East to Emeishan takes about an hour, costs around ¥55 in second class, and runs about 54 times a day from before 06:00 until the evening.
The one fact worth knowing is that the line goes Chengdu – Leshan – Emeishan. Leshan, home of the 71-metre Giant Buddha carved into the river cliff, is about 45–60 minutes from Chengdu on the same trains. Many people stop there first, see the Buddha, then carry on to the mountain in the afternoon.
Stations, tickets and what to expect
Which stations. Most trains leave from Chengdu East (Chengdudong); some also stop at Chengdu South and Shuangliu Airport, useful if you’re coming straight from a flight. They arrive at Emeishan station, in Emeishan town.
Getting to the mountain. Emeishan station is about 10–15 minutes from Baoguo, the temple and trailhead at the foot of the mountain, by local bus or taxi. From Baoguo, sightseeing buses run partway up and a cable car covers the last climb to the Golden Summit. Give the mountain its own day — a night near Baoguo lets you start early.
Stopping at Leshan. Get off at Leshan for the Giant Buddha, then take a later train the last 20–30 minutes to Emeishan. Buy the two legs as separate tickets.
Booking. Trip.com or the 12306 app, passport as the ID type, electronic ticket scanned at the gate. Second class is all you need for an hour. Confirm times and fares on 12306 or Trip.com when you book.
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FAQ
Common questions
How long is the train from Chengdu to Emeishan?
About 1 hour on the fastest trains, up to around 2 hours on services with more stops. Roughly 54 trains a day run each way, from before 06:00 to about 22:00.
How much does it cost?
Second class is about ¥54, ranging from roughly ¥33 to ¥74 by train type (≈ $5–10). First class is around ¥86–104.
Which Chengdu station do trains leave from?
Most leave from Chengdu East (Chengdudong); some also call at Chengdu South (Chengdunan) and Shuangliu Airport, which is handy straight off a flight. Check your ticket for which one.
Does the train stop at Leshan for the Giant Buddha?
Yes. The line runs Chengdu–Leshan–Emeishan, so you can get off at Leshan (about 45–60 minutes from Chengdu) for the Giant Buddha, then continue to Emeishan on a later train. Buy it as two tickets.
How far is Emeishan station from the mountain?
The station is in Emeishan town. The main trailhead and Baoguo Temple are about 10–15 minutes away by local bus or taxi; from there, sightseeing buses and a cable car go up to the Golden Summit.
Can I do Leshan and Mount Emei as a day trip from Chengdu?
Leshan alone is a comfortable day trip. Adding Mount Emei the same day is rushed — most people give the mountain its own day and stay overnight near Baoguo to start early.
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