Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
quite literally vertical, with nothing but a steel chain to grab onto and tiny
chinks cut into the rock for footing.
The third option is the most popular, but it's still hard work. A 6km path leads
to the North Peak from the village of Hua Shan, at the base of the mountain
(the other side of the mountain from the cable car). It usually takes between
three and five hours to reach the North Peak via this route. The first 4km up
are pretty easy going, but after that it's all steep stairs.
The village at the trailhead is a good place to stock up on water and snacks,
these are also available at shops on the trail but prices double and triple the
further you head up the mountain.
If you want to carry on to the other peaks, then count on a minimum of eight
hours in total from the base of Hua Shan. If you want to spare your knees,
then another option is to take the cable car to the North Peak and then climb
to the other peaks, before ending up back where you started. It takes about
four hours to complete the circuit in this fashion and it's still fairly strenuous.
Hua Shan has a reputation for being dangerous, especially when the trails are
crowded, or if it's wet or icy, so exercise caution.
But the scenery is sublime. Along
Blue Dragon Ridge
( Canglong Ling),
which connects the North Peak with the
East Peak
( Dong Feng),
South Peak
( Nan Feng) and
West Peak
( Xi Feng), the way has been cut along a narrow
rock ridge with impressive sheer cliffs on either side.
There is accommodation on the mountain, most of it basic and overpriced,
but it does allow you to start climbing in the afternoon, watch the sunset and
then spend the night, before catching the sunrise from either the East Peak or
South Peak. Some locals make the climb at night, using torches (flashlights).
Admission is ¥180 (students ¥90). To get to the cable car
(suodao),
take a
taxi from the village to the ticket office (¥10) and then a shuttle bus (one way/
return ¥20/40) the rest of the way.
Sleeping & Eating
You can either spend the night in Hua Shan village or on one of the peaks.
Take your own food or eat well before ascending, unless you like to feast on
instant noodles and processed meat - proper meals are very pricey on the
