Do I have to stay at Jinding to go to Emei Mountain? Is it okay to live halfway up the mountain?

Not necessarily, choose according to your own situation.

There is no accommodation in Jinding Temple in Emei Mountain. Jinding has three-star hotels Jinding Hotel, Jinding Villa and Xianghuai Hotel. Accommodation on Jinding is a bit expensive. Where is the geographical environment? If you want to stay, it is recommended to book in advance, otherwise you won't stay then. Accommodation is a little tight, you can ask for directions. The price is very favorable, and it is official in Emei Mountain. If you want to live in a temple, you can live in Taiziping Temple, which is about 2 kilometers down from Jinding (but you only need to walk here), and then you can live in a Jieyin Temple, which is down from Jinding cableway.