Mount Huashan Hiking Guide

If you’ve ever watched videos of people inching their way across a few pieces of wood attached to the side of a cliff, you’re probably looking at Huashan.

Mount Hua, or 华山 (Huàshān), is one of China’s Five Great Mountains and is famous for its dramatic granite peaks, steep staircases, narrow ridges, and exposed cliffside trails.

It’s also home to the Huashan Plank Walk, officially known as the Chang Kong Plank Walk (长空栈道), one of the mountain’s most famous attractions.

I came to Huashan with two goals: hike up the mountain and then do the Plank Walk.

But I was visiting on an August weekend, right in the middle of China’s summer holiday season, so I also had two concerns: it would be too hot, and there would be way too many people.

That was when I discovered that you could actually hike Huashan at night.

Perfect! I could avoid the worst of the heat and hopefully some of the crowds, while also arriving in time for sunrise.

Here’s what my Huashan night hike and Plank Walk were actually like, along with everything I learned that could help you plan your own trip.

Huashan at a glance

Huashan is located near Huayin in Shaanxi Province, about 120 kilometers east of Xi’an, making it a popular day trip or overnight excursion from Xi’an.

The mountain has five main peaks, and each one has something different going for it:

• East Peak is the traditional sunrise viewpoint
• South Peak is the highest at about 2,155 meters above sea level
• West Peak is known for its dramatic scenery and sunset views
• North Peak is the lowest of the five at around 1,600 meters
• Middle Peak sits between them

Huashan is probably best known for its steep and exposed trails. I’m not sure who started the claim, but Huashan is sometimes touted online as “the most dangerous hike in the world”.

There are sections where the trail becomes extremely steep, with long staircases built directly into the side of the mountain.

And of course, there’s also the Plank Walk.

Which route should you choose?

One of the first things you’ll need to figure out when planning your visit is how you actually want to get up the mountain.

Huashan has two cable car routes, serving the North Peak and the West Peak, so if you’re not keen on torturing yourself on those stairs, you don’t have to.

There are still some hiking trails between the mountain peaks, so even if you don’t do the full hike from the bottom, you’ll still get a taste of what hiking Huashan is like.

You can either take the cable cars both ways or hike both ways. Or you can hike up and take a cable car down, or vice versa. You can even take one cable car up and the other cable car down.

There are a lot of options, so the best route really depends on how much hiking you want to do and which parts of the mountain you want to see.

If you want to combine the two cable cars, a popular option is to take the West Peak cable car up and the North Peak cable car down.

The main trail between the peaks generally trends downhill in this direction, so you can see several of Huashan’s major peaks without having to tackle as much uphill hiking.

You can do this route in reverse too, taking the North Peak cable car up and heading toward West Peak before taking the cable car down.

The trade-off is that you’ll have more uphill sections, but you can finish at West Peak around sunset before heading back down.

❗ The exact cable-car operating hours vary seasonally, so check the current schedule when planning your trip.

The traditional hiking route starts at the base of the mountain near Yuquan (Jade Spring) Temple and climbs all the way to North Peak. From there, you can continue across the mountain toward the other peaks.

It’s a much more physically demanding option, but it’s also the route you want if the hike itself is part of the experience.

Some blogs also mention the Soldier’s Path, another route up toward North Peak that is much steeper and more direct.

For this guide though, I’m focusing specifically on the traditional hiking route, because that’s the route I actually did for my Huashan night hike.

My experience doing Huashan night hike

Arrival in Huayin

I arrived at Huashan Railway Station on a Friday morning from Xi’an.

My plan was to check in at my accommodation, spend the whole day resting, and start hiking at around 11 PM.

I had booked two nights’ stay in Huayin, the base town, so that I would have another day of rest after the hike. And also because I knew there was a very real possibility that the weather could ruin the plan.

And, true to Murphy’s Law… it did.

When I arrived, it was already drizzling.

While waiting for the rain to stop, I browsed the shops near the train station for two things: a smaller backpack, because I really didn’t want to lug my big one up the mountain, and a hiking stick.

I wasn’t sure if I actually needed the stick. Looking at photos of those steep staircases, I figured I might want both hands free to hold onto the railings.

Eventually, I found a backpack for ¥70 (USD10). No idea if that was a bargain — I absolutely hate haggling, so I just went with it.

The hiking stick was only ¥5.

It was also hilariously short, non-retractable, and looked more like a walking stick for someone’s grandpa than an actual hiking pole. But since I wasn’t sure I’d even use it, the cheapest one would do.

Happy with my purchase, I walked to my hostel, about 30 minutes away.

The town is quite practical for hikers. Near my hostel, there are more shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacies, so you can pick up anything you forgot before heading up the mountain.

I bought some drinks and snacks for the hike.

Then, I had an early dinner of oil-splashed noodles, a local Shaanxi specialty. And they were just as spicy and as oily as I like them.

The only issue I have with food in China is that the portions are usually huge. It’s a struggle to finish one dish on my own.

Good thing I was planning to climb a mountain, so I could force-feed myself and just call it carbo-loading.

After dinner, the weather still looked terrible. The forecast was showing rain throughout the night, and the sky looked like it had absolutely no intention of cooperating.

Huashan is steep enough when everything is dry. I certainly wasn’t going to attempt a night hike when the trail is wet and slippery.

Besides, poor weather can result in the Plank Walk being closed, and that was the whole reason for my visit in the first place.

So, I waited. The forecast looked better for Saturday night, with sunny weather expected on Sunday.

Getting ready

The next day, the weather looked less miserable, just as the forecast had predicted. It stayed cloudy throughout the day, but thankfully, it didn’t rain.

I spent the entire day in my room, taking the opportunity to rest and catch up on some work.

For dinner, I had tomato and egg noodles, again filling myself up with hopefully enough calories to keep me going until sunrise before my body started grumbling.

Then, I went back to my room to get ready.

Since it was summer, I kept my hiking clothes pretty light. I wore a quick-dry T-shirt and leggings, and brought a long-sleeved thermal layer and a rain jacket in my backpack.

The hike

At around 11 PM, I walked from my hostel to the trailhead.

Despite my earlier apprehension about doing a night hike on my own for the first time, there were actually quite a lot of people around.

By Chinese standards, though, that didn’t count as a lot. And compared with the daytime crowds, it was probably nothing.

Trust me, I’ve been to quite a few famous attractions in China, like the Avatar Mountain in Zhangjiajie, and the one that looks like it has a giant hole in it.

Still, seeing other hikers heading up the mountain at this hour made me feel a lot less intimidated about the whole thing.

The trail was actually pretty well lit, so I barely needed a headlamp at all.

The only dark section was probably the first couple of minutes at the start, and even then, my phone flashlight did the job just fine.

There were also plenty of small shops along the route selling food, drinks, and hiking essentials, including gloves, hiking poles, raincoats, shoes and other supplies.

I was starting to feel silly for thinking this would be a scary, deserted place at night.

The climb from the main hiking entrance to North Peak is about 6 kilometers and generally takes around four hours, although the actual time depends heavily on your pace and fitness.

To me, the beginning was relatively manageable. The first few kilometers didn’t feel particularly challenging, especially compared with what came later.

Then, the stairs started, marked by this sign:

And it wasn’t even the steepest part yet.

That came later, marked by a more ominous sign telling me that I was approaching the Qianchi section.

Qianchi means “Thousand-Foot Precipice,” which is a fairly unsettling name to encounter when you’re already halfway up the mountain, thinking the worst of it is over.

The section consists of 370 steps carved into the mountain at a roughly 70-degree angle.

Elderly visitors, minors, pregnant women, people with poor physical strength, those with high blood pressure, and anyone afraid of heights are advised to take an alternative route called Qinghu Road*.

Qinghu Road is 743 meters long and still involves plenty of stairs, but apparently the gradient is less severe.

* Qinghu Road is closed from November to March, so plan your visit wisely if you intend to take this route.

And well, what can I say? I sometimes have a very inflated view of my own capabilities.

The Qianchi section was every bit as trying as the warning sign made it sound. It was basically one long stretch of steep stone steps climbing almost vertically up the mountain, with chains running alongside the steps for support.

Looking up, I could see what felt like an endless staircase disappearing into the rock.

Here, you might want to put your gloves on because you’ll be using your hands as much as your legs.

Ironically, this was also when I began to appreciate the little mindfulness practice I’d learned during a three-day silent meditation retreat in the jungle many years ago, which I had thought was a bit silly and pointless at the time.

Turns out, it has come in handy many times — like when I climbed a sky ladder suspended about a kilometer above the ground, and when I tried freediving despite not being entirely confident in deep water.

And now, it was proving useful again on Huashan. Focusing on each step and regulating my breathing eventually helped me make it to the top without completely losing my shit.

If you’re a regular hiker or rock climber, this probably feels like child’s play.

But if you’re an average couch potato like myself who doesn’t always think slogging up a mountain is a great weekend activity, you might need to give yourself a long pep talk before attempting this.

Reaching the North Peak

From here, you can either take the cable car down (it starts running around 7 or 8 a.m., depending on time of year), or continue toward the other peaks.

I took a short break to grab a bite from some of the snacks I’d brought with me. Then, I continued toward East Peak to catch the sunrise.

The hike from North Peak toward East Peak took me roughly an hour and a half. There were still some narrow stairways and steep stretches with chains to hold on to, although not nearly as long as the earlier ones.

So, even if you’re not planning to hike the entire mountain from the bottom, the trails between the peaks still give you a little taste of it.

Watching sunrise from East Peak

At East Peak, a growing crowd of hikers were already huddled together in the cold. Some had brought tents, sleeping bags and emergency blankets to keep warm.

I found an empty spot among them and joined in.

If you’re planning to watch sunrise from Huashan, bring warm layers, even in summer. You might feel comfortable while climbing, but it can get drastically colder once you stop moving.

There’s also a jacket rental service on East Peak if you didn’t bring enough clothing.

Sunrise was supposed to be at 5:40 AM, but half an hour later, the sky was already bright and the sun had yet to make its grand entrance from behind the clouds.

I’m glad I wasn’t holding my camera the whole time, or I would have ended up with some very sore arms.

When the sun finally did appear, everyone cheered. That collective relief transcended all language barriers.

And now that I’d seen the sunrise, it was time for the actual reason I had come to Huashan.

The Huashan Plank Walk

The Huashan Plank Walk, or Chang Kong Plank Walk (长空栈道), is located on the southern part of the mountain near South Peak.

It’s essentially a cliffside route consisting of wooden planks, iron footholds, chains and sections carved directly into the rock.

The exposed wooden section is narrow, and parts of the route have only footholds carved into the cliff.

Although it has become one of China’s most famous adventure attractions, the route isn’t some recently invented tourist stunt.

It actually has a history of more than 700 years, dating back to Yuan Dynasty.

According to local historical accounts, the original route is associated with a Taoist monk and was built to provide access to a secluded area for religious practice.

Expect a long queue

I had heard that there could be a queue for the Plank Walk. But I hadn’t expected that it could eat up a significant chunk of my day.

On my visit, the estimated wait was up to three hours.

Apparently, that isn’t particularly unusual. Especially on a weekend, and in the summer holiday to boot.

It’s also because the Plank Walk no longer runs continuously. Participants are now released in groups, and only around 30 to 40 people each session.

It operates on an out-and-back system, meaning you reach the end of the route, wait for everyone else in the group to finish, then turn around and come back the exact same way.

In the past, hikers were allowed to go in both directions at the same time, which was probably faster, but people had to squeeze past each other on the narrow planks.

This system has since been discontinued for safety reasons, and visitors now move through in controlled groups and one direction at a time.

It’s safer, but it also means the queue takes longer because one group has to finish before the next can enter.

Solo travelers can’t join the Plank Walk alone

This is an important detail if you’re traveling alone.

For some reason, the Plank Walk requires you to be a part of a group of at least two people to participate.

Initially, I asked a mother-and-son pair (I think), who were standing in front of me if I could join them. They said sure, so problem solved.

And then they heard how long the wait was and decided they weren’t going to bother with the Plank Walk after all.

Back to square one.

So I turned around and asked the person behind me. As it turned out, she was alone too — her hiking partner didn’t want to do the Plank Walk.

Perfect. We paired up, went through the process together and became temporary mountain buddies.

Hopefully, this requirement will change in the future, but for now, if you’re traveling solo, don’t panic.

Just be prepared with your sweetest smile, a friendly “ni hao”, and your translation app to ask the person or group next to you if they’re willing to adopt you for the duration of the Plank Walk.

Getting ready for the Plank Walk

Finally, I reached my turn.

I made the ¥30 payment at the registration counter, signed the indemnity form, and stored my bag in the designated area.

You can bring a cap and sunglasses, and I would actually recommend both. Once you’re out on the cliff, there’s absolutely nothing between you and the sun.

You can also bring your phone, but obviously, that’s at your own risk.

Bags are not allowed, and neither are metal or sharp objects. That means selfie sticks are a no-go too.

Unfortunately, this also meant I couldn’t bring my Insta360, which would have produced some absolutely fabulous footage for an activity like this. 😭

Action cameras are allowed as long as they’re securely attached to you, like the guy in front of me who had his camera mounted to his arm.

So if you’re planning to film, a secure body mount is the way to go. Luckily, I had my phone lanyard.

Once we’d stored our belongings, we got fitted with safety harnesses and were ready to go.

This was quite different from the Qixing Mountain via ferrata I’d done before, where there was a quick tutorial on how to use the carabiner system.

Here, they basically just let us go and assumed we either already knew how to do it, or that we’d figure it out along the way.

Thankfully, it’s not too complicated, although it may be different from what you’re used to back home.

Instead of repeatedly clipping and unclipping two carabiners, the via ferrata systems I’ve encountered in China use a single sliding hook attached to a continuous safety cable.

You simply slide the hook along the cable as you move, including over the anchor points, so you remain connected throughout the route.

It’s actually a pretty clever system for a route like this because everyone stays attached to the same safety line, and the setup also helps keep people moving in one direction without overtaking each other.

What is the Huashan Plank Walk actually like?

As mentioned, this isn’t my first time doing a via ferrata. So I didn’t go into this completely clueless about what I was getting myself into.

But that doesn’t make it any less scary.

Right off the bat, there’s a near-vertical ladder made from iron rods and chains, which you have to descend while looking straight down into the sheer drop below.

So you’re not exactly getting a gentle introduction to the experience. You’re pretty much thrown straight into it.

But once you’re clipped in, there’s really no turning back. The best thing you can do is slow down, use the handholds and watch where you’re putting your feet.

The route is around 100 to 130 meters one way, but it’s not entirely made up of wooden planks.

There are portions where there isn’t even a plank beneath your feet. Instead, you have to step onto small footholds carved directly into the rock while holding onto the chains.

Compared with the Qixing Shan via ferrata I did in Zhangjiajie, this one is much shorter and less tiring, and there aren’t any particularly wobbly sections.

The planks may look like they’ve been there since the beginning of civilization, but they actually felt sturdy under my feet.

The only things wobbling were my knees.

And when you reach the other side, congratulations. You get to turn around and do it all over again.

Somewhere in the middle of the route, perched in a little recess in the rocks, is, would you believe it, the official photographer.

For ¥55, you can get a physical copy, and you can also request the digital version to be sent to your phone.

He’ll direct you where and how to pose, but only pose if you’re willing to pay because by the time you finish, your photo will already have been printed and laminated for you.

Hiking back down

After finishing the Plank Walk, I knew there were still other peaks to see. In fact, I was already very close to South Peak, the highest of the five.

But I was sleep-deprived and my legs really, really didn’t want to go uphill anymore.

The Plank Walk had been my main goal for coming to Huashan after all, so having done that, I decided to skip the remaining peaks and turn back toward North Peak.

Now I had another decision to make: cable car or hike down?

I had signed up for kung fu school starting the following day, so I felt like I needed the extra workout to get my muscles warmed up.

Since I didn’t want to go uphill anymore, I figured hiking down was a fair compromise. I might also get to see some views I’d missed during the night.

And, if I’m being completely honest, I also didn’t want to spend money on the cable car.

(Please don’t debate me on this. My logic is sometimes incomprehensible even to myself.)

Well? I regretted that decision pretty quickly.

In broad daylight, I could finally see exactly what I’d been climbing, and the steep stairs looked even more intimidating.

Some steps were quite uneven, so it wasn’t simply a matter of walking down a normal staircase. Not to mention that fatigue makes it much easier to lose your focus.

The trail somehow felt much longer than it had the night before.

Without the anticipation and adrenaline of trying to reach the summit for sunrise, those stairs that had felt like fun obstacles during the night now just seemed to go on forever.

I kept thinking, Surely we’re nearly there.

We were not nearly there.

My knees were definitely not enjoying the experience.

To be fair, I did get to see some views I’d missed during the night, which was actually quite nice.

Look at this comparison:

But did they justify hiking all the way down?

This is probably just the exhaustion and knee pain talking, but I’m going to say no. I had already seen the best views from the peaks.

By the time I finally made it back toward the bottom, I was very ready for this mountain to be over.

How to get to Huashan

Huashan is in Huayin City, and the easiest way to get there is by train from Xi’an, which is about 120 kilometers away.

By high-speed train

The high-speed train from Xi’an North Railway Station to Huashan North Railway Station (华山北) takes roughly 30 minutes, with frequent departures throughout the day.

Huashan North Railway Station is the newer high-speed station. It’s about 5 kilometers from the mountain, and you can take a taxi or free shuttle bus to the Huashan Tourist Center.

From the Tourist Center, visitors taking the cable car can continue to the relevant cable-car station.

If you’re hiking up from the bottom, however, you want to get to Jade Spring Temple (玉泉院 / Yuquan Temple), which is the traditional starting point for the main hiking route.

By regular train

Conventional trains depart from Xi’an Railway Station and arrive at an older station simply called Huashan Railway Station (华山站).

It’s actually closer to the traditional hiking entrance, so it isn’t necessarily a bad option.

I chose this option because I’m just stingy like that I was not in a hurry and the location was more convenient.

From the station, you can take a taxi or local bus toward the mountain and Yuquan Temple. I simply walked 30 minutes to my hostel.

The only downside is that conventional trains are considerably slower, taking roughly 2 hours from Xi’an.

Where to stay for the Huashan hike

Technically, you can arrive at Huashan in the evening, do the night hike, come back down the next day and leave immediately without booking a hotel.

But I’d recommend staying at least one night in Huayin, ideally somewhere close to the visitor center or hiking entrance. I stayed for two nights, which gave me time to rest before and after the hike.

More importantly, it gave me some flexibility in case of bad weather. When it rained, I simply postponed the hike until the following night.

I stayed in Huashan Loft Youth Mountain Residence, located about five minutes from the trailhead, which was incredibly convenient for a 11 PM start.

It was a very basic dormitory, but the owners were incredibly kind and even provided free hiking gloves for guests.

The town around Huashan also has plenty of restaurants, supermarkets and pharmacies, so it’s easy to pick up food or any last-minute hiking essentials.

Here are a few other top-rated hotels in the base town if you’re looking for something different:

• Floral Hotel | Huashan Village Homestay
• Langlangshan Hotel
• Jinglanshan Homestay
• XANA Deluxe Hotel
• Home Inn

How to book a ticket to Huashan

You can buy your Huashan ticket on the spot at the ticket office, but if you want to save yourself some hassle and potentially skip the queue, I would recommend booking in advance.

I booked my Huashan ticket through Trip.com, which I found particularly useful while traveling around China.

It basically became my one-stop travel app because you can use it to book flights, trains, tours, attraction tickets, and hotels that are not usually available on other booking platforms.

➤ For Huashan, you can choose between a hiking ticket or an entry package that includes the cable car.

➤ You’ll need to select an entrance date and time slot, and stick to it.

➤ The good news is that since activities like visiting Huashan are very much weather-dependent, the ticket is refundable if unused. This means that if you don’t redeem the ticket, the money is automatically refunded to your account.

➤ One very important thing: bring your passport.

Huashan uses real-name ticketing, and for foreign visitors your passport is essentially your entrance ticket. Make sure you bring the original passport, not just a photo of it on your phone.

Do you need to book the Plank Walk in advance?

The Plank Walk now operates in scheduled sessions, with a limited number of people allowed in each group.

According to some blogs, you can reserve a slot through a WeChat QR code at the entrance, but this can be tricky for foreign visitors because the online system apparently requires a Chinese ID.

The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to book ahead. Some spaces are kept for walk-in visitors, so you can still join the physical queue like I did.

However, these spaces can fill up, especially on busy days, so don’t leave it until late in the day if the Plank Walk is a priority.

Note: The Plank Walk may be closed for safety reasons during bad weather such as rain, strong winds, lightning, or severe winter conditions. Check the latest status before you go.

How much does the Plank Walk cost?

The Plank Walk costs ¥30 per person, and the fee is paid in cash rather than through QR payment (I didn’t realize this at the time because I was trying to finish off my cash anyway).

What time should you start the Huashan night hike?

The hiking entrance is open around the clock, so you have some flexibility when deciding what time to start your night hike. The key is to time your hike so you reach East Peak before sunrise.

It typically takes around four hours to reach North Peak, followed by another one to two hours to get to East Peak.

I started my hike at around 11 PM at an average pace, taking plenty of short breaks along the way. I reached North Peak at about 3 AM and East Peak with roughly an hour to spare before sunrise.

If you’re a faster hiker, you could start later and still make it to East Peak in time without having to wait too long in the cold.

Just keep in mind that your timing will also depend on the season, since sunrise can be considerably earlier or later throughout the year.

As a rough guide, allow 5 to 6 hours from the hiking entrance to East Peak, then work backward from the sunrise time for your chosen date.

How long do you need for Huashan?

If you’re doing a full hike and want to see several peaks, give yourself an entire day.

A night hike to North Peak alone can take around four hours for many hikers, and continuing between the peaks adds at least 3-4 hours more.

The Plank Walk takes about 1.5 hours once you’re actually doing it, but the queue can add another few hours depending on demand.

If you’re doing a night hike, you’re effectively using the night and most of the following day. And don’t forget that you still have to get back down.

How difficult is hiking Huashan?

The difficulty depends on how much of the mountain you plan to hike.

Physically, it isn’t necessarily the hardest part of Huashan. Mentally, however, it can be a completely different story if you’re scared of heights.

Is Huashan safe?

Huashan has a reputation for being the “most dangerous hike in the world,” but I think that’s probably stretching it a bit.

Surely we’re not putting a tourist hiking trail in the same danger category as K2 or Annapurna?

That said, Huashan is still a serious hike. I actually felt more secure on the Plank Walk than on some parts of the main trail, because at least everyone is fitted with a harness and attached to a safety cable.

On the main trail, you’re relying more on your own footing, the chains and the people around you. If someone above you loses their balance, everyone below suddenly has a problem too.

I imagine the trail can also become much more treacherous when wet, so I wouldn’t attempt it in poor weather.

The good news is that not all of the steepest sections are mandatory, and some have alternative routes that are less precarious.

Ultimately, you’re doing this at your own risk, so check the weather, know your limits, follow the guidelines, and don’t feel pressured to do something you’re genuinely uncomfortable with.

What to wear & bring

• Hiking shoes with good traction: The steepness of the stairs on Huashan is no joke, and they can get slippery after rain.
• Layers that you can add or remove: The temperature can change significantly between the base and the peaks.
• Warm jacket or emergency blanket: It’s cold at the summit, even in summer. You’ll also feel much colder when you stop moving to wait for sunrise.
• Hiking gloves: You’ll be holding chains, rocks, and handrails for a large portion of the climb, and gloves make the experience much more comfortable.
• Water and snacks: Pack some water and snacks with you, but don’t overthink it. You’re not going to be stranded on the mountain if you run out. There are plenty of shops and even cafes along the trail, even on the peaks. Just be prepared to pay more the higher you go.
• Power bank: Your phone is your camera, payment device, navigation tool, translation tool, communication device and pretty much everything else in between, so you really don’t want it dying halfway through the hike. Cold temperatures can also drain phone batteries faster.
• Phone wrist strap or lanyard: A very good idea if you’re planning to take photos on the plank walk.
• Lightweight raincoat & backpack cover: Mountain weather can change quickly.
• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, strong sunscreen): You’ll be exposed to the sun for hours once daylight hits, with very little shade along many sections of the mountain, especially the plank walk.
• Passport: In China, always carry your passport because it serves not only as your ID but also as your ticket for things like train reservations and entry to attractions.
• Cash: Most, if not all shops on the mountain accept cashless payment, but bring some cash in case your phone runs out of battery or your internet suddenly stops working.

Do you need a headlamp?

Personally, I don’t think a headlamp is necessary for the Huashan night hike. The trail is well illuminated throughout most of the route, with the exception of the first couple of minutes at the beginning.

That said, if you have poor night vision or simply feel more comfortable with some extra light, there’s no harm in bringing one.

Do you need a hiking pole?

A hiking pole can be helpful, as it can take some pressure off your knees and give you a bit of extra stability.

However, in some sections of the trail, I felt that it became more cumbersome than useful because I wanted to hold on to the railings with both hands. But of course, this is just my personal take.

Other FAQs

What is the best time of year to hike Huashan?

Huashan can be visited throughout the year, but the experience varies considerably by season.

Spring and fall generally offer more comfortable hiking temperatures. Summer can be hot at both lower and higher elevations when the sun is up, but is also a popular period for visiting.

Winter brings colder temperatures and the possibility of snow and ice, which can make already steep trails considerably more challenging. The Plank Walk may be closed during these months for safety reasons.

If you’re specifically planning a night hike and sunrise, I’d pay more attention to the forecast for your actual travel dates than simply choosing a particular season.

Can I visit Huashan as a day trip from Xi’an?

Yes, Huashan can be visited as a day trip from Xi’an, especially if you use the cable car.

However, if you want to do the full hike and complete the Plank Walk, I’d recommend staying overnight in Huayin instead.

Trying to squeeze all of that into a day trip would leave very little room for delays, queues or bad weather.

Can I hike Huashan if I’m afraid of heights?

If you don’t love heights but can handle steep stairs and exposed trails, you may be perfectly fine with much of the mountain.

Many of the steeper sections also have alternative routes, making the trail more accessible to a wider range of hikers.

And the Plank Walk is completely optional.

Can I visit Huashan if I don’t speak Chinese?

You can visit Huashan without speaking Chinese. Since it’s relatively close to Xi’an, which sees a lot more international tourists than many other parts of China, most signs and information boards around the scenic area are bilingual.

But knowing some Chinese phrases, or at least having a translation app handy, is still helpful when you need to communicate with guesthouse owners, shopkeepers, taxi drivers and other locals.

Is there luggage storage service at Huashan?

According to current online info, there is an officially operated left-luggage office inside the main tourist center, as well as independent shops and vendors around the foot of the mountain and Yuquan Temple.

Prices are around CNY 20 per large bag for a day.

For the Plank Walk, bags aren’t allowed on the route. You’ll need to leave your belongings at the storage area near the registration point before getting fitted with a safety harness.

Is there food on Huashan?

Yes. There are shops and restaurants at various points on the mountain, including on the peaks.

Prices are naturally higher than at the base, so I still recommend carrying some snacks and water with you.

Are there toilets on Huashan?

Yes, there are toilets at various points along the mountain route and around the peak areas.

Expect basic squat toilets, and bring your own toilet paper.

Does phone service work on Huashan?

Yes. In my experience, mobile service is available in most parts of the mountain. In fact, most of the payments at shops on the mountain are cashless.

But between taking hundreds of photos and shooting time-lapse videos of the sunrise, I’d be more concerned about keeping your phone charged than worrying about coverage. Bring a power bank, and some cash just in case.

Are drones allowed on Huashan?

No. Drones are not allowed to be flown within the Huashan Scenic Area.

This includes the main mountain area and its hiking trails, so unfortunately you can’t bring a drone up to capture those dramatic aerial shots of the peaks and cliffs.

What happens if I can’t finish the hike?

If you’re halfway up the mountain and decide you don’t want to continue, you may have to hike all the way back down.

Your other option is to continue to North Peak, the lowest of Huashan’s five main peaks, where you can take the cable car down.

However, if you’re doing a night hike, keep in mind that the cable car may not be operating yet when you reach North Peak.

Additional tips for hiking Huashan

• Build flexibility into your itinerary. Make room for uncertainties like bad weather or long queues for the Plank Walk.

• Stay near the hiking entrance, especially if you’re doing the night hike. This saves the trouble of arranging transportation to and from the trailhead. Plus, being able to reach your guesthouse in a few minutes after hours of climbing is a beautiful thing.

• Arrive at the trailhead with food and water, but don’t overpack.

• Take breaks before you’re completely exhausted.

• If you’ve climbed all the way up, consider taking the cable car down. There really isn’t much benefit to hiking back down other than seeing some of the sights you missed in the dark. Which aren’t much, to be honest. You’ve already seen the best views from the peaks.

• If you want to make the most of your time on Huashan, you could follow the same route I did, but continue on to the remaining peaks after the Plank Walk, end at West Peak to watch sunset, then take the cable car down from there.

Final thoughts

Is Mount Hua worth visiting?

For me, absolutely.

Huashan isn’t necessarily a mountain you need to “conquer”. You can hike part of it, take a cable car, visit a few peaks, watch the sunrise, or come specifically for the Plank Walk.

Although I didn’t conquer every peak, the combination of the night hike, sunrise, steep stairs, and Plank Walk made Huashan one of my most memorable hikes so far.

Check out my Bucket List for more epic adventures like this. And if you’re not ready to risk your life on a mountain just yet, there’s plenty more travel, adventures and weird experiences waiting on the blog.