Hua Shan, The most dangerous walk in the world, and the mountain that demands many lives. This mountain has a central location in the country, about 120 kilometers east of the city of Xi’an. The hill Hua is one of the holy mountains of China and an essential place for Taoism.That is why you will find various Taoist temples; When the smell of incense reaches your nose, you know that a temple is not far away.

Hua Shan has five mountaintops; East Peak, North Peak, West Peak, South Peak and Middle Peak. With an average condition, you can visit several summits in one day. If you want to visit them all? Then you should leave early in the morning to the first mountain peak or spread the trip over several days. Hua Shan has an excellent attraction for pilgrims, but also for adventurous travelers from all over the world because of the most dangerous walking path in the world.

On the way to Hua Shan
From Xi’an, there are daily buses that leave you after two hours at the foot of the mountain Hua. The bus stops in the parking lot of the Eastern Gate. It is also possible to take the train from Xi’an to Hua Shan. However, the train station is a few kilometers from the mountain, so you have to walk a lot or take a taxi, not a problem because these are not very expensive. Finally, you can often book excursions to the mountain at the hotel or hostel in Xi’an.

You look here against a sizeable cream-colored stone staircase. The trip to the top is only two kilometers, but it is a severe ordeal. During that two kilometers, you climb almost 3000 steps. Those who want to save their energy to rise to the peaks of Hua Shan opt for the gondola lift. After buying a ticket (80 yuan, one way), you are within a few minutes at the height of more than 1500 meters. On this map * you can see how you can walk to the various peaks from the Yuntai Hotel, where you can access both the stairs and the lift. Moreover, there is a folder with signage at almost every intersection.

Eternal love and beautiful panoramas
Beautiful panoramas await you on the mountaintops of Hua Shan. A bunch of trees grows in different shades of green on the cream-colored stone. Creative souls as painters and daughters are attracted to the mysterious atmosphere of this mountain.

 North Peak is easily accessible from the Yuntai Hotel. For the other summits, you will have to climb the individual Heavenly Ladders. That is still one of the steepest stairs on the mountain. After the climb, you will soon reach the Golden Lock Pass.

During the trip up you undoubtedly saw red ribbons and golden locks hanging on the railings. Some people see this as a gift to the mountain, and other people leave it behind as a performance because they have climbed the hill. Couples have their names buried in the ditches to immortalize their love. Although you will encounter these locks and ribbons everywhere on Hua Shan, you will find the most decoration at Golden Lock Pass.

Is Hua Shan Dangerous?
Some steps on Hua Shan are style, that is undeniable. Some steps even have a slope where you have to pull yourself up on iron chains. A hike to the tops of the mountain is undoubtedly proper training for the arm muscles and the calves. But you make it as adventurous and exciting on Hua Shan as you want.

Before the Olympic Games in 2008, many Chinese attractions were restored and renovated. So also the stairs on Hua Shan. At places on the mountain that were previously considered dangerous, safe stairs with broad steps and sturdy handrails are there to help. You will be amazed how many Chinese females who have passed the eighty now visit this holy mountain. Accidents reported on Hua Shan are almost always due to the crowds.When people push and pull around to wring somewhere, accidents happen on such a gigantic mountain.

 Also in winter, it is not recommended to visit Hua Shan due to the slipperiness on the steps. With a little attention, Hua Shan is therefore not dangerous. The most exciting part of the mountain is the plank route at the southern summit. When you see the path, you first wonder the way its been build in heaven’s name. The rickety wooden planks will take you to a unique tea house that you will ever visit. It is essential to have some climbing experience, during a walk on this path. This route is only intended for real daredevils. So you must be sure that you would dare to walk over the shelves, do not do it. Your life hangs on a wire, and there are also plenty of other beautiful places to admire on the mountain.

Sleep near Hua Shan
There are several hotels on Hua Shan. From East Peak Hotel you have a beautiful view of the sunrise in the morning. The hotel on West Peak is in a Taoist temple. The ideal place to immerse yourself in Chinese atmospheres! Make sure that you store enough bottles of water in advance. Through the steep stairs, there will be enough sweat drops rolling over your forehead.

 Especially on a sunny day, you will need two to three liters of water. On the mountain peaks, you will find small shops and restaurants, but you pay the ultimate prize here. It is not strange here to spend a few euros for a small chocolate bar or a bottle of water.