Hua Shan mountain: Is this the most dangerous hiking trail in the world?

Many tourists come to Xi’an to visit the Terracotta Army and then leave as fast as they can. Even if some of them decide to explore my beloved Muslim quarter and the Grate Mosque, few tourists leave Xi’an knowing what is Hua Shan, one of the most beautiful scenarios in China.

In this article you’ll find all the information you need to visit Hua Shan.

What’s Hua Shan?

Mount Hua or Hua Shan (华山, literally “The magnificient Mountain”) is one of the five sacred mountains of China and is located about 120 kilometers east of Xi’an. Hua Shan is also been known as the “most dangerous hiking trail in the world” but, as I’m going to explain later on this article, no hiking skills are required to enjoy this amazing scenario.

Going to Hua Shan

The easiest way to reach Hua Shan is to arrive in Xi’an and then take the train or the bus. While the train is the fastest way the bus is more convenient because you don’t have to buy the tickets in advance. Moreover, the bus leaves you much closer to the mountain.

By train

The closest station to Hua Shan is Hua Shan North Train Station (华山火车北站, Hua Shan Huoche Bei Zhan). There are many trains that stop here from Luoyang (Henan Province), Zhengzhou (Henan Province), Datong (Shanxi Province), Xi’an (Shaanxi Province). Even the fast train Beijing-Xi’an stops here. The prices and the duration will vary a lot depending on the train’s type and on the departure station. Just as an example, the fast train from Xi’an takes half an hour and cost 55 Yuan.

Once you arrive at the train station, you can take a minibus to the mountain. Also, you can get a cab (it should cost around 20-30 Yuan).

By bus

There is a touristic bus that leaves from the East side of the train station; it’s the same spot where you can get on the bus to visit the Terracotta Warriors. You just need to find a bus with the characters “华山” written on top. The ride takes two hours and the ticket costs around 30 Yuan. Notice that buses only depart when they are full so don’t chose an empty one (unless you enjoy to wait in the parking).

Once you get off the bus just walk to the entrance of the park. Tuk tuk drivers (here the tuk tuk are called 蹦蹦车, bengbengche, literally “jump jump car”) or taxi drivers will tell you that the entrance is so far. However it only takes around 15 minutes walking (go up direction to the temple). If you don’t want to get lost and decide to take a ride, it shouldn’t pay more than 10 Yuan.

The first part of the main HuaShan trail, difficult isn’t it?

Planning your visit to Hua Shan

The entrance ticket to the Hua Shan Park cost 180 Yuan (you can get a half price discount with a student card). Notice that foreign student cards may also be accepted (I oet the discount with my expired Spanish University student card).
Source: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/hua-shan-mountain-the-most-dangerous-hiking-trail-in-the-world/