How to Visit Mt.Huashan (Tips, Photos & Map)

72 thoughts on “How to Visit Mt.Huashan (Tips, Photos & Map)”

1. What time of year are these pictures taken ?

   Is it safe to climb all the peaks in mid March ? Will it be snowy and icy then ?

   Thanks.

2. Hello John Stavrou，

   The pictures in my blog were taken in March, 2010. No snow and no icy, but still a little cold on the mountain.

   Mt.Huashan is a AAAAA National Scenic Area with good management in terms of safety measures. But when you climb, you should always take care. Don’t walk while taking pcitures. Every year accidents happen! Mainly because the mountain is so beautiful that some people just forget the narrow path under their feet. Have a nice trip!

3. Hello John Stavrou，

   The pictures in my blog were taken in March, 2012. No snow and no icy, but still a little cold on the mountain.

   Mt.Huashan is a AAAAA National Scenic Area with good management in terms of safety measures. But when you climb, you should always take care. Don’t walk while taking pcitures. Every year accidents happen! Mainly because the mountain is so beautiful that some people just forget the narrow path under their feet. Have a nice trip!

4. Dear sir/madam?
   I am going to Xian on 23 Febuary and have to fly back on 24 night or 25 early morning to Shanghai to catch my flight to Indonesia on 9 am. I would like to joint the bus tour to Huashan Mountain, so is it possible if I joint on 23 Feb? My flight from Shanghai will be arrive on 10 am. Looking forward from you.
   Best regards,
   Elizabeth

5. Hello Elizabeth,

   At the moment, we don’t operate Huanshan group tours from Xian to Huanshan. We are able to offer a private tour ( check http://www.tour-beijing.com/xian_side_trip/). But for a single travel, this is very expensive. Suggest you may take the highspeed train from Xian to Huanshan and travel on your own. Any further request, please contact us. Thanks!

6. Thank you for your prompt reply…there are some question I would like to ask…is it ok?
   1) is it enough time on 23 Feb if I go to Huasan by high speedtrain? How long to go there?
   2) whats time the first flight to Shanghai and which airline? I need to know the possibility to catch my fligh from Shanghai to Jakarta – Indonesia. So I can go to Huasan on 24 Feb. Then I will joint the Terrakota tour on 23 Feb.
   3) I also need hotel for stay if you can give reference for me. Good location to go anywhere, and not to expenses, may be 3 or 4 star hotel.

   I know I have very short time…but I wanna see your beautiful city as much as I can 🙂 I have been some beautiful city in China like Hangzou, Xitang, Beijing, suchou, and of course Shanghai….I wish I can have another chance also to Harbin, Guilin, Guangzou, Shenzen, etc.

   Thanks in advace.

7. Hello Elizabeth,

   One of our staffers will contact you for the details.

8. Hi,

   Could please let me know how to reach Mt Huashan from Beijing?

   Are there any bullet/high speed trains?

   Thanks in Advance.

9. Hello Raghuveer,

   Yes, there are 3 daily highspeed trains running from Beijing to Huanshan:

   G651: 07:05 12:14
   G655:10:05 15:08
   G661:14:43 20:08

   Ticket fare: First class RMB 751; Second Class RMB 469

10. Hi there,

    I will be in Beijing for 4 days then I want to hike Mount Huashan on my way to Xi’an. Is Mount Huashan a one day hike or how many days does it usually take to hike the whole mountain?

    Thank you,

    Tom (Canada)

11. Hello Tom,

    Normally, most travelers would have a one-day hike on Mt.Huanshan. Some would spend two or three days. Some would hike step by step to the summit and others prefer to take a cable car up to the top. It all depends.

12. Thank you for the reply,

    Is one day enough time to take the cable car and hike the wooden plank walk way?

    Tom

13. Hello Tom,

    One day is not enough for hiking all the 4 peaks ( north, east south and west). Maybe just get a feeling for two or three peaks on a day trip. It all depends on your legs.

14. How long it take you to climb from The north Peak to East peak. I will visit Huashan in Sep, will take the train from Chengdu to direct to mt Huashan. I will arrive train station in Huashan at mid day. Then go to mt Huashan. I hope I can catch East peak before dark and will stay 1 night in East peak. Do you have the information of hotel in East peak. Can I book hotel in advance

15. Hello Thaolin,

    It takes about 1.5 – 2 hours hiking from the North Peak to the East Peak. There is only one hotel on the East Peak called “Dongfeng Hotel” (meaning “East Peak Hotel”). But the hotel is very basic. So please be well prepared for the hard condition there. You can call them to book your room. The hotel phone number is 0913 – 4301312. Good luck!

16. Hi there,

    I’m thinking visiting Mt Huashan and do all the hiking part for all the peak.
    Can you suggest me which month is the best in terms of not too cold and lower people around.
    If the hotel rooms is fully book,is there any other way that I can stay up the peak?

    Thanks
    Chan

17. Hello Chan,

    April, May, September and October are the best months to hike Mt.Huashan, but avoid May Day Holiday ( May 1-3) and National Holiday (October 1-8). It is not safe to camp on the summits. It is better to put up in a hotel or inn. Be ready for the basic or poor accommodation conditions on the tops.

18. Hi
    We will be visiting Mt Huashan at the beginning of September and will make a 1 day trip. We will be coming with our two children aged 10 and 7 years old.

    Our aim is to take the cable car to the North Peak and would like to visit one of the other peaks. Please can you tell me which other peak you would suggest and what the safest and easiest route would be?

    thank you

19. Hello Dylan,

    There are 5 peaks on Huashan Moutains. Basically, people would climb from North Peak respectively to Mid-Peak, East Peak, South Peak and West Peak，then take cable car down from West Peak. Of course, it is difficult for you to hike all the five peaks in a day with two kids. Suggest you take cable car up to the North Peak, then walk to the Mid-Peak and backtrack.

    Some useful tips:

    1) Take the early G Train from Xian to Huanshan.
    2) Take the green public bus from the train station to the tourist center (RMB 2), or take a taxi ( about RMB 10-20)
    3) Buy your entrance tickets and the cable car tickets at the tourist center.
    4) Line up for the shuttle bus from the tourist center to the cable car station and start your trip.
    5) It is advisable to buy a pair of gloves for easy hiking.

    September is the high season and you will expect lots of visitors. Have a good trip and take care!

20. Hi,
    How is the weather over there in December? Is this place still open to hike?

21. Hello Misha，

    Huanshan is open all year around. Bsically it will snow in December with an average temperarture around-0.8℃. Be ready for winter jackets, gloves and winter hats.

22. We plan to visit Mount Hua shan on May 21, 2014 for ONE day. Based on the information that i read above this is our transportation route: xian gran noble hotel –> xian (bullet/high speed) north railway depart @ 0815 D1002 –> Huashan North Railway Station –> Dispatch Center of Mount Hua Shan Scenic Spot —????

    so we would like to get the best out of our experience but make it in time to ride the bus and train back to our hotel in xian before the train and bus system close for the day. which option do you recommend provides us with the MOST EXCITING and Adventerous ( (in our late 20’s) option.
    #1) to hike from the bottom of mount huashan to north peak and then take the cable car down.
    or
    #2) take the cable car up to north peak and hike to all 5 peaks and then take the cable car down?

    if #1 is the option you recommend which entrance are we to take??? the east or west gate?
    we would like to see as much as we can in one day and make it to our transportion system back to xian hotel.
    do you recommend we buy our ticket in advance for the train or may we purchase our train ticket at the train station?
    if we purchase our train ticket at the train station and plan to ride the @ 0815 D1002 what time do you recommend we arrive at the train station to allow us time to get in line and purchase our ticket and make it tot depart at 0815?
    when purchasing the ticket how do i tell them i would like a ticket to Huashan North Railway Station.. is that what they refer to it as or is there another name for it? when you speak of the Green Bus that will take us from Huashan North Railway Station to the Dispatch Center of Mt. Huashan, are you referring to the Tourism Bus Line 1?
    What time is the last pick up time of the bus line from the Huashan Bus Station to the Dispatch Center of Mount Huashan

    thank you

23. Hello Charity P,

    We suggest you choose the #2 option to get the best out of your experience and back to Xian in time as well. Below is your suggested travel route if you choose the #2 option:

    1. Arriving at Huashan North Railway Station, then take the shuttle bus to the dispatch center or take a taxi ( about RMB20). Buy your entrance tickets at the Dispatch Center of Mount Hua Shan Scenic Spot and then take the shuttle ( price included ) to the cable car station where you take a cable car up to the North Peak.

    2. Hiking from the North Peak to the Central Peak, the East Peak, the South Peak and finally the West Peak, where you take a cable car down the mountain. So you don’t have to go back to the North Peak to take a cable car down. Then take the tourism bus back to the Huanshan North Railway Station.

    We suggest you buy your Xian-Huanshan train ticket one day in advance because it is a high tourist season and also your advanced booking will give you an easier morning when you leave from Xian to Huanshan. Though your train leaves from Xian North Railway Station, you may also buy your ticket at Xian Railway Station. Just tell the staff at the ticketing office that you are going to Mount Huashan ( 华山 ）. Just print the two characters – 华山.

    In Xian, you can easily take subway line 1 to get to Xian North Railway Station. Once you are in Xian North Railway Station, you are allowed to enter the departure gate only 15 minutes in advance. So take it easy.

    However, we suggest you buy Huanshan-Xian train tickets on the spot at Huashan North Station when you get to Huanshan North Railway Station from the tourist center.

    The shuttle buses and cable cars are operated from 7:00am to 7:00pm.

    Huashan – Xian Last highspeed train: G661 (20:08 – 20:41 )
    Huashan – Xian Last K train: K889 (23:38 – 00:20 )

    By the way, the entrance ticket costs RMB 180, valid for two days, also including the entrance the Xiyue Temple.

    Cable car: RMB 80 (single)

    Have a good time in Huanshan!

24. Dear Mr/Mrs,
    I have two questions about Huashan.
    I read that the tickets are for two days, is this only for when you stay overnight on the mountain or also when you stay after one day hike in the village?
    On all the maps I see only a cable car to the north peak. But I read also about a cable car from the West peak. Where does this last cable car starts?
    Best,
    Henk

25. Dear Henk,

    Yes, the ticket is valid within 48 hours. You don’t have to stay overnight on the mountain and you can stay elsewhere and return to the mountain next day. The entrance ticket also allows you to visit other three attractions: Xiyue Temple, Yuquan Temple and Xianyu Valley. Xiyue Temple, in particular, is worth visiting! See my blog: How to Visit Xiyue Temple.

    There are two cable car stations – one at the north peak and the other at the west peak. You may take the cable up to the north peak, then hike to the west peak and take the west peak’s cable car down. You don’t have to retrace to the north peak. Of course, you need strong legs hiking from the north peak to the west peak.

    The last cable car starts at 19:00 ( high season: March – November ); 17:00 ( low season: December – February )

    Have a good time in Mt.Huashan!

26. Hi,

    I will be traveling from Gansu Province, Dunhuang and I am trying to find the best route to take to Mt. Huashan; can you offer me any suggestions?

27. Hello Tamara Palinka,

    You mean traveling from Dunhuang to Mt.Huanshan? If so, you may first take train or flight from Dunhuang to Xian.Then take highspeed train from Xian to Huashan. Have a good trip!

28. Is June a good time to go Hua Shan?

    Does Hua Shan looks the same as Huang Shan? Which is easier to climb?

29. Hello Zrey,

    It is ok to climb Huashan in June. Both Huashan and Huangshan are not easy to climb, but Huashan is a bit more difficult to climb.

30. Hello,

    What are the bus & train options for getting to Huashan from Luoyang? How long does each option take, and what is the cost? I will arrive at the Luoyang train station around 9:30am. Then, from the Huashan bus station, and the train station, is there a public bus that would bring me to the mountain entrance (instead of taking a taxi!)?

    Thank you.

31. Hello Hazel,

    1) Luoyang – Huashan by train
    There are about 10 daily highspeed trains ( G trains and D trains ) from Luoyang to Huashan（about one hour 10 minutes) and also some K trains (3 hours). The first bullet train D307 starts at 6:40am and arrives at 7:56am; the last train G 663 starts at 17:47 and arrives at 20:54.
    Note: G and D trains arrive at Huashan North Railway Station; K trains arrive at Huashan Railway Station.

    2) Luoyang – Huashan by Long-distance bus
    Few bus companies would operate the Luoyang – Huashan long-distance service since there are many trains linking the two places, safe and fast. Suggest you take trains instead of buses.

    3） Huashan stations to the mountain entrance
    Suggest you take a highspeed train from Luoyang to Huashan North Railway Station. In high season,you can take the shuttle bus from Huashan North Railway Station to the Huashan Tourist Service Center where you buy your entrance tickets to the Mountain if you don’t want to take a taxi from the train station.

32. Hi there,

    I’m trying to plan a trip to Mt Huashan and will be coming from Seattle, Washington. I’m having trouble figuring out an itinerary. I’m thinking of a ten day trip. I’m an experienced climber and would like to experience all five peaks. Apologies if this info is already posted, but i have some questions:

    1. If I take my time, how many days would it take to climb all five peaks?
    2. Where is the most ideal city to fly into and head to the mountain?
    3. Can I sleep on the mountains rather than stay in hotels?
    4. If not are there hotels on the mountain? And should I book in advance?
    5. What gear is needed? Should I bring a climbing harness for safety?

    Thank you,

    Curtis

33. Hello Curtis,

    1. Basically two days are a better choice for covering the five peaks.
    2. Huashan is linked by highspeed trains to Beijing (5 hours), Xian (35minutes), Shanghai (10 hours).
    3. Yes, but it’s better that you can sleep at hotels on the mountains. Your entrance ticket is valid for two days.

    Wuyunfeng Hotel (华山五云峰饭店)
    Tel: 15319160066
    Location: about 30minutes walking distance to the East Peak
    Over 100 twin and triple rooms, a good choice for a short stay to catch a sunrise at the East Peak.

    Dongfeng Hotel ( East Peak Hotel) 东峰饭店
    The best choice for viewing the sunrise from the East Peak
    Tel: 0913 – 4301312

    Xifeng Hotel ( West Peak Hostel )
    It is a basic and friendly place for your overnight stay 西峰饭店
    0913 – 4301310

    Beifeng Hotel ( North Peak Hotel ) 北峰饭店
    The busiest hotel on the mountain.
    Tel: 15719136466 ( mobile)
    4. In peak season, you need booking in advance.

    5. I’m not an experienced climber. From what I see, most domestic climbers only have Mountain Climbing Sticks (some don’t have), soft sports shoes, gloves, bottled water, raincoat ( just in case), light torch, high calorie snacks.

    Have a good trip to Huashan!

34. i am on my way to the mountain, had many mishaps = wrong bus, wrong train station, but now i am on my way and will arrive at huashanbei at 16:00…i plan to get to mountain and start climbing soon…

    how much will it cost me to stay at the east peak hotel?—one person, one bed—tonight:)

    tnx,
    billy

35. Hello Mike,

    Everything will be ok for you, just added up to your travel experience. Just for your reference, approx. RMB 150. Not sure if the rooms are available tonight. Good luck to you!!

36. We will be coming to Huashan in November. I was advised to go up West Peak cable car. Please advise hike for 2-3 hours and then back again down from West peak cable car. I would also like to have time to visit Xiyue Temple. I do not want to go by dangerous passes.
    Thank you!

37. Hello Lakey,

    You have lots to see when you are up to the West Peak. The West Peak (2086.2 m) is the most beautiful peak of the five peaks in Huashan. The West Peak is also known as Lotus Peak because the huge rock in front of the Cuiyun palace on the summit resembles a lotus flower.

    There are a plethora of attractions around the West Peak – Cuiyun Palace, Lotus Cave, Axe Wedge Rock and so on. The West Peak is peppered with cliff carvings – Chinese characters.

    After visiting the West Peak and take the cable down, then take the shuttle bus to Xiyue Temple ( included in your entrance fee for Huashan). Then walk to from Xiyue Temple to Hushan North Railway Station for the highspeed train back to Xian, or Luoyang or Beijing.

38. You have suggested going to the north peak by cable car and coming down by the west peak cable car on a day trip. How about opposite direction ie up on west peak cable car and down on the north peak cable car. Is the trail from west to north peak more dangerous? Like climbing down a steeper trail is more dangerous than climbing up..

    Or is it equally good to go from west to north?

39. Hello Teresa,

    If you do the hike in one day either from the North Peak to the West Peak, or from the west peak to the north peak, basically you need to be in good shape, a bit tough. There are several trails in the west peak which are very dangerous, just avoid them, such as Walking on the Cliff Side Sky Path (see: http://www.chinanomads.com/deadly-hike-huashan/ ).

40. Hi Daniel,

    Thanks once again for your valuable info and site.

    If hiking Hua in mid October how cold does it get and what type of warm clothing should one be prepared with:
    (1) if hiking only one day and using cable cars up and down?
    (2) if staying overnight, hiking up, across all peaks, then down?

    If choosing to stay overnight, though you mention the hotels are basic, are they sealed enough to be warm and do they have hot showers?

    Alternatively, are there hotels at the base of the Mountain?

    Could you qualify for me, just so I’m clear:
    From the top of the North cable car, hike is approx 1.5hrs to North Peak
    From North > East > South > West Peaks – approx 5 hours

    How long then (approx), not using cable cars, would it take to hike:
    (a) from Yuquanyan Temple (West Gate) to the North Peak?
    (b) from Huangpu Yu (Gorge, East Gate) to the North Peak?

    Is it possible to hike from either of these entrances to the West Peak and, if so, approximately how long would that take?

    I am trying to ascertain, considering the basic (& possibly cold conditions of staying in a hotel on the mountain) if I can either do it reasonably in one day, or if I need two and can stay at the bottom of the mountain (with hopefully better conditions than you’ve indicated are available at the top)?

    From what you’ve posted and answers you’ve given to questions, it doesn’t seem possible, even using a cable car up and down, to arrive from Xi’an, do four of the five peaks + Xiyue Temple in one day.

    I have just finished climbing Haungshan (2 days / stayed at top – very cold) and Tai Shan, which I climbed twice.

    With kind kind thanks for your answer,

    SoozSolo

41. Hello SoozSolo,

    1. Clothing during Mid October in Huashan.
    Basically the temepeture ranges from 7°C to 18°C with sharp difference between day and night. You need to wear a warm jacket and jeans.

    2. There are some hotels near each peaks as well as the hotels at the base or in the town of Huashan. They offer periodic hot water within sealed hotels on the mountain.

    3. The top of the North cable car is close to the North Peak, an approx 40-minute walk if my memory doen’t fail me.

    4. If you have strong legs, hiking from North to East, South and West Peaks takes approx 5 – 6 hours.

    5. Hike from Yuquanyan Temple (West Gate) to the North Peak: 5 hours
    Hike from Huangpu Yu (Gorge, East Gate) to the North Peak: 2 hour
    Hike from Yuquanyan Temple (West Gate) to the West Peak: 5 – 6 hours hours

    6. It is preferable to stay overnight either on the mountain or at the base of the mountains or in the town. The entrance ticket is available in 2 days.

42. I been there already in Nov 2012 and i did hiking up by feet 7 hrs to from base Gate to South Peak (plank walk)
    I stay there at Hua Shan City 2 nights.
    If you need to know about how to go and about hotel, please feel free to ask me.
    There is so wonderful place. i would recommend you to try to walk up to the top peak.

43. I am visiting Xian area in early November. We are interested in Mt. Huashan, but after reading stories and looking at photos and pictures, I am not up to the dangerous trails. Is there an easy option to see some of the mountain?

44. Hello Rose,

    Sure, you may take the cable car up to the North Peak and walk around. It is not dangerous at all. Have a good time!

45. Hi,

    I will be visiting Mt Huashan in next week. Just curious, if we are to take cable car and not up to very dificult hiking, north peak or west peak will have more nicer view?

46. Hello Ayu,

    If you only go up to the North Peak or West Peak by cable car, you can still catch the beautiful views in Mt.Huashan.

47. Daniel,

    How do we get to West Peak cable car? I can’t seem to find any entry starting from West Peak by cable car.
    We will start the journey from Xian and have 1 day to visit Mt Huashan. Any suggestion the route / start time from Xian to Huashan by train? Do we need to buy the train ticket earlier as we plan to go on 16th Nov ( ie: next week 🙂 .. )

48. Hello Ayu,

    No worry about where to take the bus for the Cable car station at the West Peak. You just go to the Dispatch Center for Mt. Huashan Scenic Spot where you buy the bus ticket for the West Peak Cable car Station as well the entry ticket for Mt.Huashan.

    Take a highspeed train from Xian to Huashan North Railway Station. Arriving at Huashan North Railway Station, then take a taxi or shuttle bus to the Dispatch Center for Mt. Huashan Scenic Spot where you buy entry ticket and bus tickets.

    At the end of your Mt.Huashan trip, take the train back to Xian.

    No need to book your tickets ahead. Just buy and go. Have a nice time in Huashan.

49. Hi Daniel,

    How is cell phone coverage on Mt. Huashan along the hiking routes and on the peaks? which company have the best signal? I assume China Mobil?

    Thanks,
    Bob

50. Hi Bob Penn,

    Mt.Huashan has plentiful cell phone signal towers. The cell signals are very good on the peaks. Yes, China Mobil is better.

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