Mount Hua (Huashan) - 华山
Pictures of Mount Hua
Mount Hua
Also known as the Great Western Mountain, Huashan is one of the 5 famous sacred mountains in China. It is located 120km east of X’i’an, about 1h30 drive from the center of Xi’an or 30min by express train. Huashan is on the fast train line from Xi’an to Luoyang, so a stop is easy between these 2 destinations.Mount Hua is a mountain with strong religious connotations dotted with Taoist temples, pavilions and engraved stones. The climb can be done by cable car but if you like the thrills, then it can also be done by steep cliffs and vertiginous ravines. It is known as one of the steepest mountains in the world frequented by hikers.Chinese Name : Huàshān – 华山
The 5 peaks of Mount Hua
The mountain is composed of 5 peaks and if you want to visit them all without using the cable car, then plan a night in one of the hotels in the eastern peak.
1) The Cloud Terrace Peak (North Peak, 1614m)
Accessible by cable car since 1996, it is composed of many interesting sites to visit such as: Zhenwu Termple, Xianyougong, Yiyun Pavilion, Shentu Cliff … Generally the ascent begins with this peak.
2) The Jade Girl Peak (Central Peak, 2042m)
Although originally thought to be part of the East Peak, it is now classified as a full-fledged peak. Connected to the East Peak by the “Divine” staircase which greatly shortened the time of passage between the 2 peaks and which added a small taste of adventure to hiking there. Indeed, the divine stairs is more like a ladder of stairs carved in the rock with a string of chain on each edge, which will delight thrill seekers!
3) Sunrise Peak (East Peak, 2100m)
You will find on its summit a platform from which one can attend a magnificent sunrise.
4) Lotus Peak (West Peak, 2083m)
Covered with huge rock, it looks like Lotus petals, hence its name.
5) Wild Goose Landing Peak (South Peak, 2155m)
It is the highest of the peaks and there is the Divine Gate of the South and the Golden Temple built during the Ming Dynasty.
Huashan Mountain Cable Car
If you do not want to make a complete ascent, you can use one of the 2 cable cars and then walk from one peak to another:
The Eastern cable car on the North Peak
- High season from March to November
Opening hours: open from 7:00 to 19:00 (7am to 7pm).Prices : 80¥ / per one way – 150¥ / per round trip
- Low season from December to February
Opening hours: open from 8:30 to 17:00 (8:30am to 5pm)Prices: 45¥ / per one way – 80¥ / per round trip
West cable car on West Peak
- High season from March to November
Opening hours: open from 7:00 to 19:00 (7am to 7pm)Prices: 140¥ / per one way – 280¥ / per round trip
- Low season from December to February
Opening hours: open from 8:00 to 18:00 8am to 6pm)Prices: 120¥ / per one way – 240¥ / per round trip
Map of Mount Hua
