Hiking is one of the main attractions, with trails criss-crossing the park. If you are tired there you can take a sedan chair carried by people. Cable cars go to the summit and there is another one to the south to lessen the strenuous climbs

During winter there is a skiing area. It is really just a bunny slope for Chinese who've never before been exposed to the sport.

Note: if you've a room at the hotel at the top of the mountain check the departure time for the last bus leaving either up or down the mountain to avoid being stranded for a very cold stay at the mid-mountain hotels. They are pretty much not heated. The heat they do have is so little that it will be below zero in your room. During this time of the year much of the plumbing is also shut down so do not expect running water anywhere Including the toilets! Instead, toilet bowls are lined with plastic garbage bags which get carried off in the morning.

• Wan-nian Monastery - a large monastery with a fantastic statue of Puxian Bodhisattva, who is depicted as riding a white elephant with six tusks. The monks there are great, and they add a good deal to the ambience of the mountain.

• Leiyin Monastery - this temple, and some of the others temples tucked away in the seams of the mountain, are worthy of exploring.

• Baoguo Si Temple - Contains a massive bronze bell, said to be heard from 10 miles away when rung

• Jin Ding Si Temple - Near the summit, there is a terrace with a fine view

Mt. Emei is 150 kilometers south of Chengdu, 130 kilometers from the Shuangliu International Airport and 28 kilometers from Leshan city. There are regular overnight trains between Emei Shan and Kunming as well as buses to/from Chengdu (Xinnanmen Bus Station) and Le Shan. Buses and trains either go to Emei Shan or the nearby town of Baoguo. Three-day entry tickets cost ¥150 (¥80 concession). Make sure to have your photo put on the ticket so that you can enter on the other days.

Maps are available at the mountain, and visitors are free to travel around and enter the monasteries. The mountain is big, but the monasteries offer cheap accommodation (10Y to 50Y per person). To comfortably see the whole mountain, you'll need at least three days, though it can be covered quickly in a day. The more interesting spots are the secluded ones away from the tourist areas.

There are buses that will take you halfway up the mountain (¥20) or to near the top (¥40, ¥35 down). From the top bus station, you can also take a cable car (¥40 up, ¥30 down) the rest of the way to the summit. Restaurants are located at convenient intervals so there is little need to carry food. If you do, be aware of the thieving monkeys, and note that they can be VERY AGGRESSIVE and dangerous moreso than cute. Caution is strongly advised.

Hawkers sell straw or bambu poles and crampons to attach to boots, which will be necessary when paths are slippery in the winter and spring

The monasteries all offer delicious vegetarian fare. However, if you want a meat based Chinese meal, there are restaurants close to the tourist temples.

Yellow water is to be avoided.