Elephant Washing Pool

Elephant Washing Pool

The Elephant Washing Pool is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

Beneath the rocks of the Elephant Washing Pool, the nationally protected second-class animal — the Tibetan macaque (commonly known as the short-tailed monkey) — makes its home. Monkey troops are often seen roaming the area. When you enter the temple hall, they are not startled by humans, but instead reach out their “hands” to beg for food and enjoy the treats. The terrace of the Elephant Washing Pool is a great spot to interact with the monkeys. Be kind when playing with them and never harm them — the monkey troop will reward you with endless fun; but if you harbor bad intentions, you’ll be the one to suffer — remember that well!

Originally named Chuxi Pavilion, the Elephant Washing Pool is also a famous temple on Mount Emei, standing at an altitude of 2,070 meters, surrounded by misty clouds and towering ancient trees. In the late Ming Dynasty, it was just a small hut where monks made tea for passing travelers. During the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, Master Xingneng expanded it into the “Tianhua Chan Monastery.” There is a stone-built hexagonal pool in the temple, and it is said that when the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra rode his white elephant through here, he would always bathe the elephant first. Hence, it was later renamed the Elephant Washing Pool. It was expanded during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty to become a full-fledged temple, featuring three halls, with the main hall situated in the center. Inside the grand glass shrine of the main hall stands a golden and magnificent statue of Samantabhadra riding the elephant. At the semicircular stone terrace in front of the temple, you can watch monkeys playing nearby. The air here is crisp, with clouds hanging low at your feet. On moonlit nights, the bright moonlight bathes the area in a silvery glow, creating an ethereal, lunar-like atmosphere — hence, the “Moon over Elephant Washing Pool” is one of the Ten Scenic Spots of Mount Emei. It is also a nationally key Buddhist temple.

Protected Area: Bounded by the temple’s surrounding wall.

Construction Control Zone: The protected area extends eastward and westward to the cliffs, and 80 meters outward to the south and north.

Transportation: Starting from Jiugangzi, it is about a 2.5 km walk to the Elephant Washing Pool. Along the way, you’ll pass through the Drill Heaven Slope. Turn left and right at the slope, climb steep stone steps, and you’ll arrive at the Elephant Washing Pool.

Sichuan Meishan

Mount Emei

Fuhu Temple on Mount Emei

White Dragon Cave on Mount Emei

Moon over Mount Emei

Wannian Temple

Xixin Temple

Baoguo Temple

Natural Ecological Monkey Zone

Welcome Beach