Samathabadra on elephant in Wannian temple / Jinding temple
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TRIP 4: THE BUDDHIST TRAIL AROUND
CHENGDU / 4 DAYS |
Samathabadra on elephant in Wannian temple /
Jinding temple
| Day | Daily schedule | Overnight in |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | In the morning to panda breeding center, afternoon to Wenshu temple and Kuang and Zhai ancient streets | Chengdu |
| 2 | Chengdu to Emeishan holy mountain. Visit Baoguo temple and the Wannian temple, where we spend the night | temple on Emei mountain |
| 3 | To the top of Emeishan, Golden Summit. Stunning views. | Emei town |
| 4 | Via Leshan, the biggest sitting stone Buddha in the world back to Chengdu |
old facades in Kuang street / offerings at
Baoguo temple
|
Included |
* private car and driver for above itinerary * park bus and cable car in Emeishan * boat trip in Leshan * English speaking guide * 3-star hotels including breakfast buffet |
|---|---|
| Excluded |
* entrance fees * lunch, dinner |
| Price |
Price for 2 persons: RMB 4600 p.p. Special group rates are available on request. (Price will be higher during the Chinese holidays: 1-7 May and 1-7 October.) Calculate exchange rate |
|
Best travel time |
Whole year round. Spring and autumn is the best time though. |
|
Remarks |
Itinerary:
Day 1: We start the day by going to one of China’s most famous
attractions: the Panda bear. We go to the panda breeding center just outside the
city to enjoy the panda’s playing and we can see how they are fed. After that we
go to the Wenshu temple and we end the afternoon by walking around in the Zhai
and Kuang old streets.
Day 2: We drive from Chengdu to Emeishan Mountain
(also named as Mt. Emei) for sightseeing. This mountain is a holy mountain,
ruled by Samanthabadra. We start visiting the mountain with a look at the Baoguo
temple at the bottom of the mountain. In this actively used temple we can see
many pilgrims offering incense and fruit to the Buddha. After the Baoguo temple
we go up by park bus to the Wannian temple where we spend the night. This temple
is the oldest temple on the mountain. There are many monkeys in this area, and
it is a good place for hiking.
Day 3: Emeishan sightseeing: we take the park
bus up to the Golden Summit bus station. This area at an altitude of more than
3000 meters is an alpine region with beautiful vistas and a special glowing
feeling in the air. We then take the cable car up to the Jinding temple. The
golden statue of Samathabadra on his elephant greets us from afar. We can go
inside the stupa and the temple. The natural scenery is breath taking, it is
amazing to be above the clouds! After thoroughly enjoying the Golden Summit, we
go down by cable car and bus back to Emei town.
Day 4: 30 kilometers drive
to Leshan, the biggest sitting stone Buddha in the world. This Maitreya Buddha
is 71 meters high, carved out of a cliff face along the river. We first admire
the Buddha from the river by boat. We then go up the mountain to see the Buddha
from close by. We also visit the temple on top of the mountain, dedicated to
monk Haitong who led the construction of the Buddha in 713 AD. The aim of the
construction was that the Buddha would calm the rivers that disturbed the ships.
When funding for the project was threatened, he is said to have gouged out his
own eyes to show his piety and sincerity. Construction was completed by his
disciples ninety years later and it deed indeed calm the waters. We then drive
back to Chengdu .