Majestic Emei Mountain, in Western Sichuan Province, is one of the four most famous Buddhist mountains in China. Dotted with a mix of Taoist and Buddhist temples, its picturesque summits often rise above a sea of clouds, making it a favorite subject of photographers. Like the mountain itself, Emei Kung Fu is shrouded in mystery, and not well-known to outsiders. Emei martial arts incorporates a mix of Taoist and Buddhist elements, and focuses equally on internal and external approaches. The two-day pilgrimage to the highest Wanfo Summit, at 10,165 feet, reveals forests thick with pines, firs, cedars, and over 3,000 other plant species, many with medicinal value. Rich with rare plants and many animal species, Emei’s unique Kung Fu styles draw heavily on this diversity, perfecting animal movements such as its notorious Fire Dragon form.
A legend claims that the mountain was where Samantabhadra gave lectures on Buddhism and most temples house a statue of Samantabhadra. The main scenic spots on the mountain include the Baoguo Temple, Wannian Temple, Fohu Temple, Qingyin Pavilion, Heilongjiang Tunnel, Hongchun Platform, Xianfeng Temple (Jiulao Cave), Xixiang Pond and Golden Summit. These places are at different altitudes and have different climates. Temperatures at the top of mountain are 15 degrees lower than at the foot. The mountain, which supports more than 3,000 varieties of plants and many animals is an important scenic area.
