Granite cliffside path of Mount Hua winding up the sheer face

Photo: Pixabay (CC0)

Mount Hua

Hua Shan

The world's most dangerous hike — plank walks on sheer cliff faces

Elevation 2,154m
Province Shaanxi
Difficulty Extreme
Best Season April, May, September, October
Duration 1-2 days
Scenery 4/5 Hiking 5/5

About Mount Hua

Mount Hua is not for the faint of heart. Known as the most precipitous mountain under heaven, its five peaks are accessed via trails carved into near-vertical granite faces, including the infamous Plank Walk in the Sky.

Mountain Facts

Geology
Granite
Protected Area
148 km2
Nearest City
Huayin
Entry Ticket
CNY 180
UNESCO Status
Not designated
Our Ratings
Scenery 4/5 · Hiking 5/5 · Culture 4/5 · Access 2/5

Cultural Significance

The Western Great Mountain. A major Daoist center. Famous for the world's most dangerous hiking route.

Highlights

  • • Plank Walk in the Sky
  • • South Peak (2154m)
  • • Chess Pavilion
  • • North Peak
  • • Jinsuo Pass

When to Go

April to October is the main season. April-May offers pleasant temperatures (10-25 C) and blooming wildflowers. The mountain can be crowded during Qingming (early April) and Labor Day (May 1-5). Summer (June to August): Hot at the base (30 C+) but pleasant at the summit (20 C). Frequent afternoon thunderstorms — the chains become slippery and the Plank Walk may close during lightning. Start early (6 AM) to finish before afternoon storms. Autumn (September to October): The best season. Crisp air, clear visibility, golden foliage. September is less crowded than October. Avoid Golden Week (October 1-7) — the narrow ridge trails become dangerously congested. Winter (November to March): Open year-round. Snow-covered peaks are beautiful but trails become treacherous. The Plank Walk is often closed. Only experienced hikers with microspikes should attempt winter summit routes. Temperatures at the summit drop to -15 C.

How to Get There

By Train: High-speed trains to Huashan North Station from Xi'an North (30 min — incredibly convenient), Zhengzhou (1.5h), and Luoyang (1h). From the station, a free shuttle bus or taxi (approximately CNY 20) takes 10 minutes to the Huashan Visitor Center. From Xi'an: Most visitors day-trip from Xi'an. Take the 7:00 AM high-speed train, arrive 7:30 AM, on the summit by mid-morning. Return on 5:00-6:00 PM train. Alternatively, buses from Xi'an East Bus Station take about 2 hours. Climbing Options: (1) Cable car to North Peak (CNY 80 one way) — the standard route, 8 minutes to 1,614m. From North Peak, hike approximately 2-3 hours along the ridge to the other peaks. (2) Cable car to West Peak (CNY 140 one way) — newer, faster, reaches 2,082m. From West Peak, South Peak (with the Plank Walk) is only about 30 minutes. (3) The Soldier's Route — the traditional footpath from base, 12km with chains and ladders, 4-6 hours. Entry Fee: CNY 180 (peak season), CNY 100 (off-peak). Cable cars: CNY 80-140 one way. Plank Walk: additional CNY 30 for safety harness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Plank Walk on Mount Hua safe? +
The Plank Walk is statistically very safe — there have been very few fatalities since the current harness system was installed. You wear a chest harness with two carabiners clipped into a continuous safety cable, and you always stay clipped in (one carabiner at a time when passing others). The surface is stable wooden boards, not crumbling rock. What you are dealing with is psychological fear, not objective danger — 700 meters of empty air below your feet triggers a primal response. Not recommended for anyone with vertigo, heart conditions, or panic disorder. The walk is a dead end (you go out and come back), so you can try a few steps and turn back.
How difficult is the hike up Mount Hua? +
Very difficult if you take the traditional footpath — 12km with 1,200m elevation gain, involving near-vertical ladders and chain-assisted climbing sections (4-6 hours). The cable car options make the summit area accessible to anyone who can handle 2-3 hours of walking on steep stone stairs with chains. The ridge walks between peaks involve steep staircases and chain-assisted sections but no technical climbing. If you are moderately fit and not afraid of heights, the cable car + ridge walk combination is challenging but achievable. If you have knee problems, the endless stone steps will be painful.
Can I visit Mount Hua as a day trip from Xi'an? +
Absolutely — this is the most common way to visit. Take the 7:00-7:30 AM high-speed train from Xi'an North Station (30 minutes, approximately CNY 55). Arrive at Huashan North Station by 8:00 AM, taxi to visitor center (10 minutes), and be on North Peak via cable car by 9:00 AM. Explore the peaks until 3:00-4:00 PM, then descend via cable car. Catch a 5:00-6:00 PM train back to Xi'an. This gives you 6-7 hours on the mountain — enough to visit all five peaks and do the Plank Walk if queues are reasonable.
What should I bring for a day hike on Mount Hua? +
Sturdy hiking shoes with excellent grip (stone steps get very slippery when wet), gloves for gripping the chains (cheap cotton gloves sold at the base for CNY 2-5), at least 2 liters of water, high-energy snacks, sunscreen and sunglasses (granite reflects UV intensely), rain jacket (thunderstorms appear suddenly), portable charger. Cash is useful — some summit vendors do not accept mobile payments. Leave heavy camera gear at home unless a serious photographer; fumbling with lenses near thousand-meter drops is inadvisable.
When is the best season to climb Mount Hua? +
April to October is the main season. April-May offers pleasant temperatures (10-25 C) and blooming wildflowers. Autumn (September-October) offers crisp air, clear visibility, and golden foliage — the best season. Avoid Golden Week (October 1-7) when the narrow ridge trails become dangerously congested. Summer (June-August) is hot at the base (30 C+) but pleasant at summit (20 C). Frequent afternoon thunderstorms — the chains become slippery and the Plank Walk may close during lightning. Start early (6 AM) to finish before storms.
Do I need a harness for the Plank Walk? +
Yes, and it must be the one rented on-site for approximately CNY 30. You cannot use your own harness. The rental includes the correct attachment system for the installed safety cable — a chest harness with two carabiners. Staff at the entrance show you how to clip and unclip. The key rule: always keep at least one carabiner clipped to the cable. The walk is two-way, so you will need to unclip and re-clip around oncoming hikers while staying attached to the cable at all times.

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