1–2 days · ¥160 in peak season, ¥100 in off-season
Mount Hua, located south of Huayin City, lies with the Qinling Mountains to its south and the Yellow River to its north. It is 120 kilometres east of Xi'an and is ranked first among the Five Sacred Mountains for its steepness. Mount Hua has five peaks: East, South, West, Central and North. The East, South and West peaks are all above 2,100 metres above sea level, while the Central and North peaks are slightly lower. The South Peak is the highest, at 2,160 metres.
Yuquan Courtyard is the starting point for climbing Mount Hua. From Yuquan Courtyard, head south into the mountains, passing Wuguan Pass and Shimen, then Shaluoping, Maonü Cave and the Eighteen Bends, to reach the broad Qingke Flat. Rest for a while, look at the Taoist temples and caves, then head for the 'Huixin Stone' (Heart-Returning Stone). Above it lies the Qianchi Zhuang, the most dangerous section of Mount Hua, with more than 370 steps. Next come Baichi Gorge and Immortal's Bridge. By this point, even if you want to turn back, it is too late.
The Changkong Plank Walk lies on the east side of Mount Hua's South Peak. It was built by He Zhizhen, the first-generation master of the Huashan School during the Yuan dynasty, who sought a secluded life of cultivation far from the mortal world. By fixing stone pegs into the sheer cliff and laying wooden planks, he created a path about 50 metres long, divided into three sections. The upper section leaves the Nantian Gate stone archway and runs west to Chaoyuan Cave. The path is carved into the cliff and has a railing. The route then turns downward, with iron bars crossing the gaps in the rock like a suspended ladder. This is the middle section. Turning west again brings you to the lower section, the most perilous part, where you must press your body against the cliff and edge forward sideways. At the end of the walk you can see the 'Hezu Cave', where Master He cultivated himself.
Climbing to the North Peak, known as Yuntai Peak, requires passing a single ridge connected to the south. Descend to Ca'er Cliff, climb the Heavenly Ladder using ropes, then pass Sun and Moon Cliff to reach Canglong Ridge. Canglong Ridge is about 110 metres long and less than one metre wide. It is the only route to the East, West, South and Central peaks. From the Central Peak, Yunü Peak, follow a small path east to reach the East Peak. The East Peak is the best peak for watching the sunrise on Mount Hua and is also known as Zhaoyang Peak. The famous 'Hawk Turning Over' feature is also located here.
On the east cliff of the East Peak lies a huge rock wall shaped like a palm, named 'Huayue Xianzhang' (Immortal's Palm of Mount Hua), one of the Eight Scenic Wonders of Guanzhong. Turning toward the South Peak, you will find Yangtian Pool, Heilong Pool and Laojun Cave on the summit, with many inscriptions left by visitors through the ages. From the South Peak, a small path northwest leads to the West Peak, Lotus Peak, where the summit has the Cuiyun Palace, Sheshen Cliff, Yang Pagoda and Zhenyue Palace, among other famous sites. You then return the same way to Yuquan Courtyard. This is the famous 'The Only Path Up Mount Hua Since Ancient Times'.
Mount Hua truly lives up to its reputation as the most dangerous mountain under heaven! Once you have climbed it, you may find it hard to believe what you have achieved, and the perilous, steep, secluded and beautiful views will all be laid out before you.
