Mount Hua

Welcome to Mount Hua, known in Mandarin as Huashan, one of the Five Great Mountains of China and arguably its most formidable. Located approximately 120 kilometers east of the ancient capital of Xi'an, this granite massif has for…

Our journey officially begins at the North Peak, also known as Yuntai Peak, or Cloud Terrace Peak. At an elevation of approximately 1,614 meters, it is the lowest of the five peaks but serves as the essential gateway to the…

Following the arduous hike up the Dragon's Back, we arrive at the Golden Lock Pass, or Jinnan. This is a crucial junction where the trails to the East, South, and West Peaks diverge. …

The East Peak, at 2,096 meters, is also known as Zhaoyang Peak, because it is the premier spot for watching the sunrise. For those who stay overnight in the mountain dormitories, the pre-dawn trek to this peak is a rite of…

We now approach the most infamous section of Mount Hua: the Plank Road in the Sky, or Changkong Zhandao. This 700-year-old trail consists of narrow wooden planks, barely thirty centimeters wide, bolted directly into the vertical…

Reaching the South Peak, or Luoyan Peak, brings us to the highest point of Mount Hua at 2,160 meters. Its name, 'Landing Goose,' comes from the belief that even the wild geese, exhausted by the height, must land here to rest. …

Our final destination is the West Peak, also known as Lianhua Peak due to its massive, singular granite block that resembles a lotus petal. This is perhaps the most graceful and photogenic of the peaks, characterized by its long,…

As we descend from the heights of Mount Hua, I hope the spirit of this 'Sacred Mountain of the West' remains with you. We have traversed the Dragon's Back, stood on the precarious planks of history, and witnessed the split rock…