Mt. Huashan

» Xi'an, Shaan Xi

Mt. Huashan Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Mount Hua, is one of the "Five Sacred Mountains" of China. Mount Hua is located in the Shaanxi Province, about 100 kilometres east of the city of Xi'an, near the city Huayin. Hua was historically the location of several influential Taoist temples, and was known as a centre for the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts.

What to see

• Yuquan Yuan (Jade Spring Temple): Usually tourists climb up the mountain assisted by the iron chains along the way and start their tour from Yuquan Yuan (Jade Spring Temple), one of the main Taoist temples in China located at the foot of Mt. Huashan. It has the architectural style of the classical gardens in south China. There is a pond in the center and several pavilions around it. Walking through the Wuyou Pavilion, the Long Corridor of Seventy-two Windows comes into view, and afterwards Qingke Ping where a big rock called 'Huixin Rock' can be seen. It is said that 'Huixin Rock' is a reminder for those who wish to stop their tour at this point. Beside the rock are the precipitous 370 rock steps called 'Qianchi Zhuang' considered to be the primary breath-taking path of Mt. Huashan. When climbing, only a gleam of sky above can be seen, making climbers feel as if they were at the bottom of a well.

• North Peak (Cloud Terrace Peak): Across the 'Qianchi Zhuang' are two similar precipitous paths-respectively called 'Baichi Xia' and 'Laojun Li' above which climbers reach Mt. Huashan's North Peak. There are precipitous cliffs on all sides of North Peak, making it look like a flat terrace in the clouds, hence the name Cloud Terrace Peak. It is 1,614 meters (about 5,295 feet) high. Three sides are cliffs and one side is to the 'Ca'er (the ear rubbing the cliff) Cliff' which is the fourth precipitous path where tourists can climb up only by pressing an ear close to the cliff. In the waist of North Peak trees are luxuriantly green, creating a good rest spot.

• Jinsuo Guan (Gold Lock Pass): When climbing over the 'Blue Dragon Range', regarded as the must-pass way to the other four peaks from North Peak, travelers arrive at Gold Lock Pass. Mt. Huashan visitors know that it is customary to buy a golden lock, and then lock it in the iron chains on both sides of the Gold Lock Pass for families and friends to pray for their safety and health. It is a marvelous spectacle to see thousands of golden locks in the iron chains. Within the mountain gate of Gold Lock Pass, a huge golden lock of about 4 meters (about 4.37 yards) long and 1 .5 meters (about 1.64 yards) high stands in a big rock. It is made of pure copper and forged by 9,999 locks left by visitors. It is a popular photo site. This huge lock can only be opened by throwing coins - one coin represent the status of an ordinary person; three coins, a blessed person and nine coins a most blessed one. Gold Lock Pass is the throat to Middle Peak, East Peak, South Peak and West Peak.

• Middle Peak (Jade Maiden Peak): Middle Peak clings to East peak and is in the center of East, South and West Peaks. There is a Taoist temple in the peak named 'Jade Maiden Temple'. Legend has it that the daughter of Qin Mugong (569 B.C.-621 B.C.) loved a man who was good at playing Chinese tung-hsiao (vertical flute) and she gave up the royal life to become a hermit who cultivated her spirituality here, hence the name Jade Maiden Peak. Today Jade Maiden Temple and Jade Maiden Basin for Shampooing can be found on the peak.
  Other scenic spots in Middle Peak include Rootless Tree and Sacrificing Tree which have beautiful stories and add to the supernatural atmosphere of Middle Peak.

• East Peak (Facing Sun Peak): Tour guides may promote climbing the mountain at night to see the sunrise. Climbing to the top of East Peak requires 4 to 6 hours. East Peak has an altitude of 2,090 meters (about 6,857 feet) forming a platform for visitors to view the sunrise. An astronomical telescope is provided here. The reference time for sunrise and sunset is 5:00a.m.-6:00a.m. in spring, 4:30a.m.-5:20a.m. in summer, 5:00a.m.-5:20a.m. in autumn, 5:30a.m.-6:00a.m. in winter.

• South Peak (Landing Wild Geese Peak): Ancient people called South Peak with an altitude of 2,160 meters (about 7,087 feet) 'Monarch of Mt. Huashan' because it is the highest peak of Mt. Huashan and also the highest peak among the Five Sacred Mountains of China. Tourists who summit South Peak are undoubtedly winners. Looking around when standing at the peak, surrounding mountains are luxuriantly green; the Yellow River wanders far below and everything seems small. Legend has it that the wild geese returning from the south often landed at South Peak, giving the area the name 'Landing Wild Geese Peak'.

• The West Peak (Lotus Flower Peak): West Peak has very high cliffs standing erect with an altitude of 2,086.6 meters (about 6,845 feet). There is a Taoist temple called Cuiyun Palace before which a huge rock looking like a lotus flower comes into view, hence the name Lotus Flower Peak. There are another seven rocks beside Cuiyun Palace, which is said to be the place where Chenxiang (a main character in the movie Lotus Lantern) ripped the mountain to save his mother (The Heavenly Goddess San Sheng Mu). After visiting the five peaks, tourists can go down the mountain from the path on the east side of West Peak.

Climate

Mt.Huashan has four distinct seasons. Summers are usually hot and humid with heavy rains, and winters tend to be cold and dry. Spring and fall are the most popular times to travel to Hua Shan, though the temperature is generally pleasant all year round.

Dining

The food stops on the mountain have a limited food and it is expensive. But, just think do you want to pay to much for instant noodles or do you want to haul it up and down a mountain and get it a little cheaper.

Items generally got more expensive as you moved up the mountain.

Transportation

By Bus

Tourist Buses No.1 (8:00-20:00 except the period from January to March 15th) are available at the east square of Xian Railway Station or you can choose to take the coach to Huayin City at Tangdu Bus Station located at No.17 of Changle Zhonglu east of Xian.

By Train

You can take trains at Xian Railway Station and get to Weinan City. Then you can take the autobus on Weinan Railway Station to reach Mt. Huashan. The autobus fare is about 10RMB. And you have to walk 1.5 kilometers (about 0.9 miles) before you reach Yuquan Temple at the foot of Mt. Huashan.

By Cable Car

Traveling on Mt. Huashan by cable car is another good choice for tourists. In the east side of Yuquan Temple there is an about 8-kilometer-long (about 5 miles long) cement road leading up to Wamiaogou where you can take the cable car directly to the North Peak of Mt. Huashan. And the top station of the ropeway is located on the east cliff of North Peak. The whole ropeway is more than 1,500 meters (about 4,921 feet) long and it takes you seven or eight minutes to reach the top. The runtime of the ropeway is: 07:00-19:00 (Apr.-Oct.); 09:00 - 16:00 (Nov.-Mar.).

Sleep

• Jingyuan Hotel: The Jingyuan Hotel (Huashan Youkezhongxin Jingyuan Jiudian) is located in the center portion of Jiling Lu. Guests have a choice of 70 rooms including standard rooms and executive single rooms. The hotel restaurant has a dining hall and six private dining rooms. BBQ and a teahouse are also available. This Huayin hotel's recreational facilities include a table tennis room, a billiards room and a massage center.

Entertainment

Shopping

Many local people set up small stalls on Hua Shan, selling local products such as straw plaiting, paper-cuts and embroidery. Stores are mostly at the foot of the mountain. You can also rent walking sticks and torches (flashlights) for after-dark excursions.

A golden lock at the golden lock temple and add it to the iron railings as a prayer for yor family

Attractions around » Xi'an, Shaan Xi

Natural Scene

• Huaqing Pool
• Mt. Huashan

Historical Site

• Xi'an City Wall
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Great Mosque
• Drum Tower
• Bell Tower
• Tomb of Qin Shihuang
• Small Wild Goose Pagoda
• Ba Xian An Temple

Cultural Site

• Terracotta Warriors and Horses
• Shaanxi Provincial History Museum
• Xi'an Banpo Museum
• Forest of Stone Steles Museum

Nightlife

• Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show

Day Entertainment & Sports

• Tang Paradise
• Golf in Xi'an

Shopping & Leisure

• Moslem Street
• Shuyuanmen Street
• Xi'an Antique Market
• Wenbaozhai Tourist Shopping Center
• Century Ginwa Shopping Mall

Mt. Huashan Highlights

Five Great Mountains attraction highlights

• Mt. Songshan
• Mt. Taishan
• Mt. Huashan
• Mt. Hengshan
• Mt. Hengshan

city highlights

• Xi'an
• Dengfeng
• Datong
• Taishan
• Hengyang

Taoism attraction highlights

• Mt. Taishan
• Mt. Qingchengshan
• Mt. Wudangshan
• Mt. Huashan
• Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area
• Gaomiao Temple at Zhongwei
• Mt. Hengshan
• Mt. Laoshan
• Mt. Qingyuanshan
• Qingyanggong Temple

city highlights

• Qingdao
• Quanzhou
• Xingcheng
• Zhongwei

Mountain in Great China

• Yellow Mountains
• Chengde Mountain Resort
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
• Mt. Emeishan
• Mt. Taishan
• Mt. Wuyishan
• Mt. Qingchengshan
• Echoing-Sand Mountain
• Mt. Putuoshan
• Mt. Wutaishan
• Victoria Peak
• Mt. Jiuhuashan
• Mt. Wudangshan
• Mt. Tianzishan
• Mt. Changbaishan
• Mt. Cangshan
• Meili Snow Mountain
• Tianshan Mountains
• Mt. Huashan
• Mt. Qianshan
• Mt. Yuelushan
• Mt. Hengshan
• Flaming Mountain
• Mt. Gonggashan
• Mt. Hengshan
• Mt. Laoshan
• Mt. Qomolangma
• Green Lotus Peak
• Mt. Qingyuanshan
• Qilian Mountains
• Mt. Geleshan
• Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area
• Thousand Buddha Mountain
• Mt. Panshan
• Red Hill

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area in Great China

• Yellow Mountains
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
• Stone Forest
• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
• Yalong Bay
• Huanglong Scenic Area
• Mt. Emeishan
• Qutang Gorge
• Wu Gorge
• Xiling Gorge
• Wolong Nature Reserve
• Mt. Taishan
• Mt. Wuyishan
• Mt. Qingchengshan
• Echoing-Sand Mountain
• Mt. Putuoshan
• Mt. Wutaishan
• Gulangyu Island
• Reed Flute Cave
• Jimei School Village
• Victoria Peak
• Dadonghai
• Wuzhizhou Island
• Shennongjia Nature Reserve
• Mt. Jiuhuashan
• Mt. Wudangshan
• Shennong Stream
• Lake Taihu
• Lake Shahu
• Dragon Palace Scenic Area
• Suoxi Valley
• Mt. Tianzishan
• Huangshi Village
• Jinbian Stream
• Stone Bell Hill
• Mt. Changbaishan
• Shangri-la
• Feilaifeng Peak
• The First Bend of the Yangtze
• Mt. Cangshan
• Meili Snow Mountain
• Tianshan Mountains
• Tiger Leaping Gorge
• Eling Park
• Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
• Mounigou Valley
• Small Three Gorges
• Mt. Huashan
• Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area
• Crown Cave
• Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden
• Port Wusongkou
• Mt. Qianshan
• Shapotou
• Yellow River Scenic Area
• Mt. Yuelushan
• Mt. Hengshan
• Silver Cave
• Solitary Hill
• Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds
• Nanxi River Scenic Area
• Dongba Valley
• Flaming Mountain
• Tianshan Grand Canyon
• Wangjiang Park
• Mt. Gonggashan
• Mt. Hengshan
• Half-Side Ferry
• International Beer Town
• Beidaihe Scenic Spot
• Laohutan Ocean Park
• Xiaoqikong
• Mt. Laoshan
• Huaxi Scenic Area
• Grape Valley
• Seven-Star Crag Scenic Area
• Mt. Qomolangma
• Yellow Cloth Shoal
• Forest of Odd-Shaped Peaks
• Wangfu Rock
• Badaguan Scenic Area
• Ruili
• Wudalianchi Scenic Area
• Port Lushun
• Port Lvshun
• Tianya Haijiao
• Xiao Dongtian
• Xian Qi Cave
• Merryland World
• Green Lotus Peak
• Sanya Bay
• Dongshanling Ridge
• Mt. Qingyuanshan
• Qilian Mountains
• Xiangzhi Valley
• Fanjing Mountain National Nature Reserve
• Baishui Tableland
• Dishuidong Cave
• Port Chaotianmen
• Mt. Geleshan
• No.1 Bathing Beach
• Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area
• Fujiazhuang Beach
• Xingcheng Beach
• Leigong Mountain Nature Reserve
• Maolan Karst Forest Natural Conservation
• Baizhangji and Feiyun Lake Scenic Area
• Thousand Buddha Mountain
• Mt. Panshan
• Shanghai Wild Animal Park
• Red Hill

Mt. Huashan FAQ & Travelers's Tips

1. When to go
2. Packing essentials
3. If you plan to see the sunrise, read this
4. Rumours of deadliness
5. Credit card problems

1. When to go

   Hua Shan has four distinct seasons. Summers are usually hot and humid with heavy rains, and winters tend to be cold and dry. Spring and fall are the most popular times to travel to Hua Shan, though the temperature is generally pleasant all year round.
   




2. Packing essentials

   1. Wear sport shoes with soft soles; buy a pair of nylon gloves and a walking stick when necessary.
   2. Eat high-calorie food and bring some with you when climbing.
   3. Bring mineral water with you. Do not drink too much when thirsty; just sip it to keep your mouth wet.
   4. It is windy in the mountain and especially humid in summer, so prepare some warm clothes (even in summer).
   5. Sometimes it rains on the mountain, so take along a plastic raincoat.
   6. Bring an electric torch when climbing at night.




3. If you plan to see the sunrise, read this

   • Best would be nothing but a wallet, this may be more pricey, but it saves your back and legs from extra work. If you must, bring food in a comfortable bag.
   • Layers. When your moving you're warm. It's only cold when you are waiting for sunrise. You can buy disposable 1 RMB gloves in the village at the base.
   • Yes, any camera would be good.
   • You can't camp, most just rest on steps somewhere, only a few go to a guest house for the night. No reason to bring camping equipment.




4. Rumours of deadliness

   Rumours of the south peak being the most dangerous hiking trail on earth seem to have risen from a story put on the web page of a person called Rick Archer with the title 'The Deadly Huashan Hiking Trail'. The author claims it was written by an American couple who visited the trail in 2003.

   The origin of the story is not known and is assumed by many Hua Shan visitors to be purely fictional. The spread and popularity of the story was aided by many videos showing the most dangerous parts of the trail.

   In 2008 the website author was faced with criticism on the authenticity of the story, who in turn answered: 'I wrote absolutely everything based on accounts I found on the Internet (some of which gave contradictory information).' 'At the time, I never expected this particular page would be an Internet darling for thousands of Huashan fans.'.

   Thus, the story bears similarities to the KiddofSpeed story which rose big attention on the net until it was revealed to be fantasy, except for the fact that Rick Archer hasn't tried to benefit financially from the story on his site.

   Nevertheless, it should be noted, that even though Hua Shan stairs are a popular tourist attraction and safety equipment is provided and obligatory, the trail is still risky due to strong winds, changing weather conditions and the physical condition required to pass some parts of the trail.
   

5. Credit card problems

   Some hotels here do not accept credit card payment, and it can be very inconvenient, especially for foreign guests. So please prepare some cash before you climb the mountain if you plan to put up a night on the mountain.