Emeishan Railway Station (峨眉山站) is the high-speed rail gateway to Mount Emei (峨眉山), one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Opened in 2014 as the southern terminus of the Chengdu–Mianyang–Leshan Intercity Railway, it now handles 40+ train departures daily to destinations across Sichuan — including direct connections to Chengdu, Leshan, both Chengdu airports, and (since 2024) the Jiuzhaigou/Huanglong area. Here’s everything you need to know in 2026.
Emeishan Station at a Glance
⚠️ First things first: Emeishan City has TWO railway stations. Don’t confuse them. Emeishan Station (峨眉山站) is the high-speed station near the mountain scenic area — this is the one you want as a tourist. Emei Station (峨眉站) is the older conventional station in the city center, ~7 km from the mountain.
- Station name: Emeishan Railway Station / 峨眉山站 (Éméishān Zhàn)
- Also known as: 高铁峨眉山站 (High-Speed Emeishan Station) — locals use this to distinguish it from the old station
- Location: Xiuhu Avenue (秀湖大道), Eshan Subdistrict, Emeishan City, Leshan, Sichuan Province (四川省乐山市峨眉山市峨山街道秀湖大道)
- Opened: December 20, 2014
- Elevation: ~500 m (1,640 ft) — low altitude, no altitude sickness concerns
- Platforms: 2 platforms, 3 tracks (terminus station — trains arrive and reverse direction to depart)
- Railway line: Chengdu–Mianyang–Leshan Intercity Railway (成绵乐客专), part of the Chengdu–Guiyang HSR corridor
- Design speed: 250 km/h
- Daily departures: ~40+ trains to all destinations, 20+ to Chengdu East alone
- Distance to Mount Emei scenic area: ~3 km to Baoguo Temple (报国寺) — 10 min by taxi, ¥10–15
Emeishan Station vs. Emei Station — Don’t Get Them Mixed Up
This is the #1 mistake travelers make. Emeishan City has two stations, and they’re not the same:
| Emeishan Station (峨眉山站) ⭐ | Emei Station (峨眉站) | |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese name | 峨眉山站 (“Mount Emei Station”) | 峨眉站 (“Emei Station”) |
| Type | High-speed rail (HSR) only — C, G, D trains | Conventional + some HSR — K trains + a few C trains |
| Opened | 2014 | 1965 (upgraded multiple times) |
| Location | At the base of Mount Emei, ~3 km from Baoguo Temple | Shengli Town, Emeishan city center — ~7 km from the mountain |
| Distance to scenic area | ~3 km (taxi ~10 min, ¥10–15; walking path ~15–20 min) | ~7 km (taxi ~20 min, ¥20–30; bus #8 connects) |
| To Chengdu East | ~1h – 1h 30m, 20+ trains/day, ¥60–74 | ~1h 10m – 1h 40m, fewer trains, similar price |
| To Leshan | ~15 min, 10+ trains/day, ¥11 | Limited HSR service to Leshan |
| To Shuangliu Airport | ~1h – 1h 15m, 8+ trains/day, ¥56 | Few to no direct airport trains |
| Railway line | Chengdu–Mianyang–Leshan Intercity Railway (成绵乐客专) | Chengdu–Kunming Railway (成昆铁路) + some intercity HSR |
| Facilities | Modern: ticket counters, self-service machines (passport-friendly), waiting hall, shops, luggage storage | Older, more basic: ticket counters, waiting room, limited facilities |
| Best for | Tourists visiting Mount Emei — closest to scenic area, more trains, modern station | Long-distance travelers on K trains (Kunming direction), or those staying downtown |
Bottom line: If you’re a tourist visiting Mount Emei, you want Emeishan Station (峨眉山站). It’s closer to the mountain, has far more trains, and every facility you need. The only reason you’d end up at Emei Station is if you’re arriving on a K-train from Kunming or Xichang.
How to tell them apart when booking:
– On 12306 and Trip.com: search for “Emeishan” (峨眉山) not “Emei” (峨眉)
– Station code for Emeishan: IXW (like “Emeishan West”)
– Station code for Emei: EMW
Station Layout & Facilities
Emeishan Station is a compact terminus station — much smaller and easier to navigate than Chengdu East or other mega-hubs. If you’ve ever been lost in a Chinese railway station, this one is refreshingly straightforward.
Station building layout:
- Ground floor: Main waiting hall, ticket counters (人工售票), self-service ticket machines (自助售票机), security check, convenience store, toilet. All in one open space — you can see the platforms from the waiting area.
- Platforms: 2 island-style platforms with 3 tracks total. As a terminus, trains pull in and reverse direction to depart. Platform access is via escalator/elevator from the waiting hall — no long walks.
- Station square (站前广场): Large open plaza in front of the station. Bus stops are here. Taxi stand to the right as you exit. The square connects to Xiuhu Avenue.
- Emei Yuanzi (峨眉院子): A traditional-style commercial complex right next to the station — restaurants, tea houses, some shops. Decent for a meal before your train if you have time.
Facilities for foreign travelers:
– Passport-friendly ticket machines: Yes — the self-service machines have English interface and accept foreign passports. Look for the passport scanning slot (different from the Chinese ID card reader).
– Left luggage / luggage storage: Available — ask at the information desk near the main entrance. Reports from travelers confirm it exists, though it’s not huge. ~¥10–20 per bag per day.
– English signage: Limited but functional — station names, platform numbers, and basic directions are bilingual. Ticket machines have English mode.
– WiFi: No public WiFi — use mobile data or have a VPN-ready eSIM ready.
Train Routes & Destinations from Emeishan
Emeishan Station is the southern terminus of the Chengdu–Mianyang–Leshan Intercity Railway, giving it direct connections to all major stops along that corridor. Since the Sichuan–Qinghai Railway opened in 2024, it also has one daily direct train (C5786) heading north toward the Jiuzhaigou area.
Summary of routes from Emeishan Station:
| Destination | Daily Trains | Duration | 2nd Class Fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leshan (乐山) | 10+ | ~15 min | ¥11 | For Leshan Giant Buddha. Very frequent — hop on anytime. |
| Chengdu East (成都东) | 20+ | 1h – 1h 30m | ¥60–74 | Main Chengdu hub — connect to trains nationwide. First train ~06:30, last ~21:30. |
| Chengdu South (成都南) | 8+ | 1h 5m – 1h 30m | ¥56–65 | Better if heading to southern Chengdu or Metro Line 18 to Tianfu Airport. |
| Shuangliu Airport (双流机场) | 8+ | ~1h – 1h 15m | ¥56 | Direct train to CTU airport — underground station at Terminal 2. Super convenient for flights. |
| Tianfu Airport (天府机场) | 1–2 direct; 20+ via Chengdu East | ~1h 50m direct; 2–2.5h via transfer | ~¥85–95 | Limited direct trains. Transfer at Chengdu East for much more flexibility. See: Emeishan to Tianfu Airport guide. |
| Songpan (松潘) — Jiuzhaigou area | 1 direct (C5786); 20+ via Chengdu East | ~2h 50m direct; 4–6h via transfer | ~¥160–174 direct; ~¥188–222 via transfer | Direct train C5786 departs ~17:27, arrives Songpan ~20:15. Late arrival — overnight near station required. Transfer via Chengdu East recommended. See: Emeishan to Jiuzhaigou guide. |
| Mianyang (绵阳) | 5+ | ~2h – 2h 30m | ~¥90–110 | Direct trains north along the intercity line. |
| Jiangyou (江油) | 3+ | ~2h 30m – 3h | ~¥100–120 | Northern end of the Chengdu–Mianyang–Leshan line. |
Check live schedules and book:
| Emeishan → Chengdu Train | Emeishan → Leshan Train | Emeishan → Shuangliu Airport Train |
| Emeishan → Songpan Train (C5786) | Emeishan → Tianfu Airport Train | Chengdu → Emeishan Train |
Key Route: Emeishan to Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong
Since the Sichuan–Qinghai Railway opened in August 2024, you can now reach the Jiuzhaigou/Huanglong area from Emeishan entirely by train. Here’s the quick summary:
- Option 1 — Transfer via Chengdu East (⭐ Recommended): Take one of 20+ daily trains to Chengdu East (~1–1.5h, ¥60–74), then a connecting train to Huanglongjiuzhai Station (~1.5–2.5h, ¥128–148). Total ~4–6h train time + 2h bus to Jiuzhaigou. Arrive by afternoon if you leave Emeishan in the morning.
- Option 2 — Direct train C5786 to Songpan: One daily train departs Emeishan ~17:27, arrives Songpan Station (松潘站) ~20:15, ¥160–174. Late arrival means overnight near Songpan before continuing to Jiuzhaigou. Simple but inflexible.
- Full guide: Emeishan to Jiuzhaigou by Train — Complete Guide
Key Route: Emeishan to Chengdu Airports
Emeishan has surprisingly good airport connections — you can reach both Chengdu airports by train:
| Route | Direct Trains | Duration | Fare | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emeishan → Shuangliu Airport (CTU) | 8+ daily | ~1h – 1h 15m | ¥56 (2nd class) | Easiest option — direct train to underground station at Terminal 2. No transfer needed. |
| Emeishan → Tianfu Airport (TFU) | 1–2 direct daily | ~1h 50m direct | ~¥85–95 | Only if the timing lines up with your flight. Very limited. |
| Emeishan → Chengdu East → Tianfu Airport (TFU) ⭐ | 20+ combos | ~2h – 2.5h total | ~¥84–105 total | Recommended for TFU — far more flexibility. Transfer at Chengdu East (same station). |
Jack’s tip: “Shuangliu Airport (CTU) is the no-brainer from Emeishan — direct train, cheap, you walk straight into T2. For Tianfu Airport (TFU), I’d still take the train to Chengdu East and transfer. Those 1–2 direct trains to TFU are unreliable — if you miss it, you miss your flight. Better to have 20+ options.”
See also: Emeishan to Tianfu Airport Guide | Tianfu Airport Railway Station Guide.
Getting from Emeishan Station to Mount Emei Scenic Area
You’re here for the mountain. Here’s how to get from the station to the action:
- 🚶 Walk: It’s only ~3 km from the station to Baoguo Temple (报国寺), the main entrance to Mount Emei scenic area. A ~15–20 minute walk straight along Xiuhu Avenue → Mingshan Road. Pleasant on a clear day. Look for signs toward 报国寺 / 峨眉山.
- 🚌 Bus 5A: Emeishan Station → Baoguo Temple (报国寺). ¥1, runs ~07:00–21:30, every 10–15 min. Stops: Station → Maluqiao (马路桥) → Tianxiamingshan (天下名山) → Lvyouche (旅游车站) → Dajiudian (大酒店) → Baoguo Temple (报国寺). Most convenient public option.
- 🚕 Taxi: ~10 min, ¥10–15. Show the driver 报国寺 (Bàoguó Sì). Taxis queue right outside the station exit.
- 🚌 Direct scenic shuttle: Tourist coaches depart from the station square directly to Leidongping (雷洞坪), the jump-off point for Golden Summit. ~2h ride, round-trip ¥90. This skips Baoguo Temple entirely — useful if you’re going straight to the summit. Coaches run roughly 06:00–16:00, more frequent in the morning.
Getting to the Station from Mount Emei
After your hike, getting back to the station is just the reverse:
- From Baoguo Temple: Bus 5A back to the station (¥1) or taxi (~¥15)
- From the city center / Emeishan downtown: Bus 5B or Bus 11 (¥1) or taxi (~¥15–20)
- From Emei Station (the old station): Bus 8 connects the two stations (~20 min, ¥2)
- If you’re coming down from Golden Summit: take the scenic shuttle from Leidongping back to Baoguo Temple Tourist Center (~2h), then Bus 5A to the station
City Bus Routes Serving the Station
Emeishan Station is served by four city bus routes. Here’s a quick reference:
| Bus | Route Highlights | Fare | Hours | Useful For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5A | Station → Maluqiao → Tianxiamingshan → Baoguo Temple | ¥1 | ~07:00–21:30 | Most useful — direct line to the mountain entrance |
| 5B | Station → Yanggang → Emei Xueya → Foguang Square (city center) | ¥1 | ~07:00–21:30 | Getting to downtown Emeishan |
| 8 | Station → Dafo Chanyuan → Wenhua Square → Emei Station (old station) | ¥2 | ~07:00–19:00 | Connecting between the two railway stations |
| 11 | Station → Emei Yuanzi → Dafo Chanyuan → City North Bus Station → Feilai Temple | ¥1 | ~06:40–19:00 | Reaching the north side of the city and long-distance bus station |
Note: Bus routes and schedules can change. Confirm with your hotel or check Amap (高德地图) for real-time routing. Most buses in Emeishan accept WeChat/Alipay scan-to-pay — no need for exact change.
Book Mount Emei Tickets & Hotels
Mount Emei requires timed-entry tickets — you can’t just show up. Entry is capped daily, especially during peak seasons (summer holidays, Golden Week, Chinese New Year). Book ahead.
- Book Mount Emei tickets on Trip.com — entry + cable car + shuttle bus combos available
- Hotels near Mount Emei on Trip.com — from Baoguo Temple area to summit lodges
- Book Leshan Giant Buddha tickets on Trip.com — only 15 min by train from Emeishan
Key Tips & Reminders
- 🚉 Double-check you’re booking Emeishan (峨眉山), not Emei (峨眉): On 12306 and Trip.com, these are two separate stations. “Emeishan” (station code IXW) is the high-speed station near the mountain. “Emei” (station code EMW) is the old station in the city center. Booking the wrong one means a 20-minute taxi ride to fix it.
- 🎫 Book trains 15 days ahead: Emeishan–Chengdu trains can sell out on Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, and during holidays. The station isn’t huge and popular departure times go fast.
- ⏰ The station is compact — don’t arrive too early: Unlike Chengdu East where you need 45 minutes just to find your gate, Emeishan Station is small and efficient. 20–30 minutes before departure is plenty. The waiting hall opens around 06:00.
- 🏔️ Mount Emei takes time — plan accordingly: Golden Summit alone is a 5–6 hour round trip (shuttle to Leidongping + hike + cable car + summit time). If you want to see Wannian Temple, Qingyin Pavilion, or the monkey areas on the lower slopes, you need a full day. Don’t book a 14:00 train thinking you’ll “quickly see the mountain” in the morning.
- 🛄 Luggage storage exists: Confirmed by multiple travelers — there’s a left luggage facility at Emeishan Station. Ask at the information desk. ~¥10–20 per bag per day. Useful if you want to hike the mountain without hauling your suitcase.
- 📱 Download Amap (高德地图) before you go: Real-time bus tracking for the five city bus routes. Google Maps doesn’t have Emeishan’s local bus data.
- 🍜 Food near the station: Emei Yuanzi (峨眉院子) next to the station has restaurants and tea houses — decent for a meal. Inside the station, there’s a small convenience store but no real food court. Better to eat before arriving or pack something.
- 🗺️ Combine with Leshan: Leshan Giant Buddha is just 15 minutes by train (¥11). You can do the Buddha in the morning and Mount Emei in the afternoon, or vice versa. Trains run ~10+ times per day between the two. See: Leshan Railway Station Guide.
- 🧳 The station has passport-friendly ticket machines: Self-service kiosks with English interface accept foreign passports. Look for the passport scanning slot — different shape from the Chinese ID slot. If stuck, the staffed ticket counter (人工窗口) can help.
- 🏨 Where to stay: Baoguo Temple area — closest to both the station and the mountain entrance, most hotels and restaurants. Leidongping (雷洞坪) — on the mountain, ~2,430m, for summit sunrise (but book way ahead and bring warm clothes). Downtown Emeishan — cheaper, more local food, but further from the mountain (~7 km).
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Can you tell me if Emeishan railway station has a left luggage facility?
Sorry, I don’t know. But from what I searched on Chinese travel community, some tourists said Emeishan Railway Station (for high speed trains) has left luggage facility. Just look for it.