Xi'an-Mount Hua-Xi'an: Mount Hua Day Tour
After breakfast, you will drive 118 kilometers (about 1.5-2 hours) to visit Mount Hua, one of China's famous Five Great Mountains. [Mount Hua] is not only the birthplace of Chinese civilization but also the sacred site of the Quanzhen School, the mainstream sect of Chinese Taoism. Composed of 5 peaks, it enjoys the reputation of "the most precipitous mountain under heaven" and is the most scenic, precipitous, and climbable among China's Five Great Mountains.
Today's suggested route on Mount Hua: Cable car - West Peak - South Peak - Changkong Plank Road - East Peak - Central Peak - West Peak - Cable car, taking about 4-5 hours in total.
First, you will take a bus from the visitor center to the foot of West Peak of Mount Hua (about 40 minutes), then take a cable car directly to West Peak (Lotus Peak) (about 20 minutes), where you can take in the magnificent scenery of mist-wreathed, towering peaks, visit attractions such as Cuiyun Palace and Axe-Cleaving Rock, and listen to the legendary story of Chenxiang cleaving the mountain to save his mother.
Afterwards, hike for about 30 minutes to South Peak (Luoyan Peak), the highest peak of Mount Hua (elevation 2154.9 meters), where you can overlook the magnificent surrounding mountain scenery. Then comes the most challenging section of this Mount Hua hike—the Changkong Plank Road (optional). This plank road is located on a sheer cliff, supported only by hanging iron chains and wooden planks underfoot, and is therefore known as one of the most dangerous hiking routes in the world. (Note: Walking across the Changkong Plank Road takes about 0.5-1 hour and is a great test of courage, so those without hiking experience or with a fear of heights may choose other routes.)
Then you will reach East Peak (Chaoyang Peak), the best spot for watching the sunrise on Mount Hua and the location of the famous "Sparrowhawk Turn." If interested, you can challenge it—hiking the Sparrowhawk Turn (optional) requires you to press your body against the cliff, grip the iron chains tightly with both hands, and feel for stone footholds with your toes, descending alternately; a few steps require you to flip your body left and right like a sparrowhawk to pass through, making it very challenging. After the Sparrowhawk Turn, you will reach Chess Pavilion, where you can overlook the spectacular canyon and mountain scenery.
Afterwards, amid the magnificent mountain scenery along the way, you will pass Central Peak (Jade Maiden Peak) and return to the West Peak cable car station, taking the cable car down (about 20 minutes), where you can take a final look back at the beauty of Mount Hua. After reaching the foot of the mountain, drive back to your hotel in Xi'an for check-in and rest.
Tips
1). Conditions on Mount Hua are limited, so it is recommended to bring your own food and drinks.
2). The Changkong Plank Road and Sparrowhawk Turn will be temporarily closed during maintenance or severe weather and will be adjusted to other routes.
3). During peak tourist season, Mount Hua has many visitors, and there may be queues going up the mountain.
🍽️ Breakfast included
🏨 Xi'an city center