A bird's eyeview of Mount Emei.

It's a trip to southwestern China's Sichuan province, and more specifically to a famous scenic spot: Mount Emei.

From the base of the mountain, the vehicle climbed a steep and winding trail through dense trees. I looked out the window and saw soft light filtering through the clustered tops of the tall trees that seemed to touch the sky. As we made our way higher up the mountain, the air outside got cooler and fresher, and the rich greenery changed from temperate broadleaf forests to subalpine pine forests.

We arrived at the visitors' center and took a sky tram nearly to the peak of the mountain at 3,099 meters (10,167 feet). From there, I saw a more complete picture of the location. Standing on top of a sea of clouds, the view of the forest was just magnificent. Eighty-seven percent of the mountain is covered by trees; that's the official figure and also the impression I got from my own observations.

At the terminal we met several tourists hiking down the mountain. It was around 9 a.m. Their hardy outfits, slightly bleary, tired eyes and professional camera lens hinted at the purpose of their climb. While preparing for the trip, I learned that the mountain peak is a prime spot for photographers to enjoy a sunrise shoot. As we waited for the cable car, one man showed me his pictures: the ground and sky the same dark purple, the rosy clouds, a bright purple arch and finally an orange semicircle – the rising sun. The mist and clouds shaded the man's palette of colors.

The scenic value alone justifies Mount Emei's status as a UNESCO World Heritage site under natural criteria. However, in addition to its natural sights, the attraction also houses a number of important Buddhist temples, making it a mixed (both natural and cultural) heritage site. China has only four such sites.

A few minutes' walk from the terminal is a large platform where rows of large incense burners are set out. Worshipers light and burn sticks of incense in bundles, which they wave above their heads while bowing. Some are simply casual tourists, while others are full-fledged monks dressed in maroon ropes. But all exhibit the same solemnity.