Hua Shan (Mount Hua) is located in Huayin City, 120kms east of Xian. It is one of the five sacred mountains in China and is therefore popular with pilgrims.
From a distance, the mountain’s five peaks form the shape of a flower which translates as hua in Chinese, hence the name. It is famous for its panoramic views, sheer cliffs and beautiful countryside. Home to a number of Taoist temples, Hua Shan was where many emperors from past dynasties made their pilgrimages.
There are a number of sights to see on a walk up the mountain. Most tours start from the Jade Spring Temple, which is found at the foot of the mountain. From here, visitors usually make their way up to the north peak (Cloud Terrace peak), the lowest of the five but still home to spectacular views across the valley below.
From here, the middle peak is hiked to next before stopping at the east peak. It is a lot of climbing and hiking so you need to be relatively fit. The effort is well worth it once you are able to enjoy the views and the surrounding scenery.
Getting There & Away
Xian, 120kms away, houses an international airport which has daily flights to and from Beijing (1 hour, 40 minutes) and Shanghai (2 hours, 20 minutes). It is also possible to reach Xian by train in 10 hours from the capital city. Once in Xian, there are buses to make the journey to Huayin City.