June 5, 2025 Afternoon Half-Day Huashan Five Peaks Tour

June 5, 2025 1:30 PM Half-Day Huashan Five Peaks Hiking Guide
👍️Recommended Reason: Mount Huashan lies south of the Qinling Mountains and north of the Yellow River, about 120 km east of Xi'an. It's renowned as the most precipitous among China's Five Great Mountains. Huashan consists of five peaks: East, West, Central, South, and North. The East, South, and West Peaks all exceed 2,100 meters in altitude, while the Central and North Peaks are slightly lower. The South Peak is the highest at 2,160 meters.
📅Travel Tips: Ticket 160 RMB
I chose the combo ticket for West Route Up/North Route Down covering all five peaks with cableway and shuttle bus for 440 RMB.
Arrived at Huashan North Station from Beijing at 1 PM. The hotel provided shuttle service directly to the visitor center. Route: Shuttle bus → optional small cable car (30 RMB, like a fun ride) → West Peak cableway → West Peak → South Peak → East Peak → North Peak → cableway down → shuttle bus to Dongshanmen where many accommodations are clustered.
Reached the cableway at 6:45 PM (last ride at 7 PM - otherwise it's a 4-hour hike down). The full five-peak circuit with photos took me about 6+ hours.
🏨Accommodation Tips: Stayed at the Shanshui Tianyuan Homestay at the mountain base - excellent value at 100+ RMB, new facilities, good service with shuttle, though no alcohol served at restaurant (buy drinks beforehand).
💗Additional Tips:
1. "Huashan Sword Debate" photo spots are everywhere (both summit and base) - no rush to take pictures.
2. Must bring gloves (some homestays provide them).
3. Summit photographers charge 60 RMB per large photo (negotiable for multiple).
4. Water: 5 RMB at base vs 11 RMB on mountain. My Dongpeng drink cost 20 RMB.
5. Sparrow Hawk's Flip and Plank Path are extremely dangerous - don't force yourself if unsure.
6. Trails are steep with narrow ladders (some vertical). Take it slow - safety first! Saw several shaky-legged hikers nearly fall.
7. Hiking poles optional, gloves essential.
8. South Peak is highest; East Peak for sunrise. Less-fit visitors should consider West Route round-trip - the mountain isn't going anywhere!
9. Many stray cats - avoid petting to prevent scratches.
10. Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes and bring a light jacket.
11. Carry snacks like Snickers/chocolate/beef jerky - limited supplies at peaks.
12. Follow signs - multiple route options exist to avoid backtracking or extreme climbs.
13. Final reminder: Stay hydrated, know your limits, and respect Huashan's reputation as the most dangerous of the Five Great Mountains.