Mount Emei, China

Emei Shan in central China is a must-see for both travelers and Buddhist pilgrims looking for a temple experience that is literally located above the clouds.

When you're 3080 meters above sea level at the Golden Summit, heaven will seem that much closer. The mystical mountain, the largest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains, is visited on a daily basis by streams of pilgrims to pay their respects to their faith and the divinity that lies within.

If you want to avoid the crowds, you can stay at a super nice hotel on the outskirts of Mount Emei and make your way up first thing in the morning to see the sunrise over the temples at the Golden Summit.

Getting there: 1.5 hour high-speed train from Chengdu
Entry fee: 90¥ ($14 USD) from Dec-Jan, 185¥ ($28 USD) from Feb-Nov