Night Climb of Mount Hua to Watch the Sea of Clouds! A Romantic Adventure Intertwining Starry Sky and Sunrise

Want to avoid the crowds and enjoy the autumn colors of Mount Hua alone? Night climbing is the best choice! Autumn has a high rate of clear skies and crisp starry nights. Reaching the summit at dawn allows you to see the Milky Way fade and welcome the sea of clouds at daybreak. This route is especially suitable for young travelers seeking excitement and romance.
🌠 Essential Gear for Night Climbing
Lighting: Headlamp (hands-free) is better than a flashlight; bring spare batteries.
Warmth: Temperatures near the summit before sunrise approach 0°C; a lightweight down jacket and a thermos of hot water are lifesavers.
Safety: Non-slip hiking shoes (some stone steps have moss), trekking poles (to reduce knee pressure), knee pads.
⏰ Time Plan (10-hour Night Climb Schedule)
22:00 Depart from Yuquan Courtyard → 23:30 Arrive at Wuliguan (first supply point) → 01:00 Challenge Qianshichuang (turn on headlamp and walk slowly) → 03:00 Arrive at North Peak to rest → 04:30 Arrive at East Peak sunrise viewing platform to secure a spot.
📸 Night Photography Tips
From North Peak to Canglong Ridge, you can capture star trails: fix your camera on a tripod, use long exposure over 20 seconds, with a warm lantern light as the foreground.
Half an hour before sunrise is the "blue hour," adjust to cool tones to shoot time-lapse videos of the flowing sea of clouds.
🍂 Daytime Bonus Activities
Don’t rush to descend after watching the sunrise! The best time to enjoy the spots alone is from 6 to 8 a.m.:
The Sky Corridor just opened and has no queues; the morning light makes the corridor’s outline especially clear.
The West Peak Lotus Peak shows distinct textures under side light, perfect for silhouette portraits.
Maple trees around Jin Suo Pass are more vibrant with morning dew; you can collect fallen leaves as bookmarks.
⚠️ Safety Tips
Travel in groups: Some sections have no lighting at night; it’s recommended to form teams of 4 or more.
Weather monitoring: Check the Mount Hua Scenic Area official website before departure; night climbing is prohibited during thunderstorms.
Energy management: Rest 5 minutes every hour of climbing, and replenish with energy gels or chocolate in time.
Hidden Benefit: On the full moon night of the 15th day of the lunar calendar, moonlight is enough to illuminate the mountain path, reducing reliance on headlamps and allowing you to experience the poetic "Moonlight on Mount Hua."