Mt. Huashan, also called 'the Great West Mountain' in the past, is one of
China's five sacred mountains. It is the tallest among the five great mountains.
The mountain flanked by the Yuntai (Cloud Terrace) and Yunu (Jade Maiden) peaks
and fronting thirty-six minor peaks, has peculiar peaks, strange rocks, seas of
clouds, purling springs as well as flying waterfalls. It is one of the famous
mountains as well as a very beautiful scenic spot of China.It takes usually 24
hours to visit all the five peaks on foot, but only five to six hours if one
takes the ropeway. If you wish to watch the sun rising on East Peak, you had
better start at night. After four to six hours' walk, you will arrive at the
very top of the mountain and can enjoy the impressive sun rising.
Location
Mt. Huashan is located to the south of Huayin County, 120 kilometres east
of Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province. With an elevation of 2200 meters above sea
level, the mountain overlooks the Huanghe River and the Weishui River in the
north and links with the Qinling Mountains to the south.
Main Peaks
Mt. Huashan is formed of a piece of huge and complete granite. Its history
dates back to 2.7 billion years. In ancient times, Mt. Huashan was called Mt.
Taihuashan. Seen from afar, the five peaks looks like five petals of a flower.
Hence its name, Mt. Huashan (= five flowers).
Mt. Huashan is famous for its breath-taking cliffs. Along the
12-kilometer-long winding path up to the top are awe-inspiring precipices,
looking into which will take your breath away. It has five peaks, the south one
is called the Peak of the Wild Geese, the east one, the Peak of the Rising Sun,
the west one, the peak of Lotus, the Central one, the Peak of the Charming
Maiden and the north one, the Peak of the Cloud Terrace. The latter two are not
so tall as the former three, yet each presents a kind of scenic beauty of its
own.
Among the five peaks, East Peak (Facing Sun Peak), West Peak (Lotus Peak)
and South Peak (Dropping Goose Peak) are comparatively high. The three main
peaks, acclaimed as 'the three magnificent peaks under heaven', stand like the
three legs of a tripod in the blue sky.
East Peak, with a rising-sun platform favorable for viewing the morning
sun, is also called Facing Sun Peak. As the sun emerges from the sea of clouds,
standing at the top of East Peak, one can enjoy the rising sun early in the
morning.
There is a giant rock in front of Cuiyun Palace on West Peak. As it takes
the shape of a lotus flower, the mountain is also called Lotus Peak. As legend
has it, Chen Xiang, a filial young man, once split the mountain and rescued his
mother out of it. Now a crack can be witnessed in a giant rock beside Cuiyun
Palace as if an axe made it. Thus, the rock is called 'Axe-splitting Rock,'
beside which is a huge axe with a long handle.
the south peak, which is the highest of the three, 2160.5m above sea level,
is also named the Wild Goose Perching Peak. Along the cliff of South Peak is a
planked path equipped with an iron chain, with the help of which, adventurers
can walk on the frightful path.
The middle peak got its name because of a story telling that once a young
lady rode a white horse among the mountains.
The northwest side of the peak is called Fatal Cliff for it is as steep as
if it was cut by a sharp sword. North Peak, with cliffs on three sides, has only
one road leading to the south. From here one goes south to Ca'er Precipice, the
fourth most dangerous place along the only path in Mt. Huashan. The cliff path
is less than 30 centimeters wide, and faces such a deep valley that the tourists
have to edge along carefully. Then one comes to Sky-leading Ladder, Sun and Moon
Precipice and the well-known Blue Dragon Mountain.
Interests and Scenic Spots
Mt. Huashan boasts two hundred and ten famous places of interest and scenic
spots. Temples and pavilions can be found every where. Owing to its peculiar lie
the mountain has its own style of architecture. Many towers, caves and stone
steps are built according to local conditions.
Of the ruins, Yuquan (Jade Spring), Zhenwu Palace, and Jintian Palace are
famous. Xiyue Temple, seven kilometers north of Mt. Huashan is the place where
people of ancient times paid tribute to the Mt. Huashan God.
The cloud-enshrouded cliff path, the sculptured rocky cliff, the
floating-in-the air Somersault Cliff, the cliff-excavated Thoursand-Foot
Precipice, the Hundred-Foot Valley, Laojun's Furrow, Ear Touching Cliff, Up the
Heaven's Ladder, the Heaven Dragon Peak and so on are all marvellous views of
precipitous and perilous cliff paths.
The Immortal's Palm Rock ranks the first in the Eight Scenes of the
Guangzhong Plain. The changeable weather on the mountain makes Mt.Huashan
sometimes in the clouds, or in the rain, or in the mist, or in the snow, which
make people feel as if they were in a fairyland.
The area of Mt. Huashan specializes in gingko, thatch weaving and
traditional paper-cutting. Today, Mt. Huashan is listed as one of the renowned
national scenic spots.
service facilities
In recent years, the basic construction of Mt.Huashan has developed
rapidly.
In past, there was only one path leading to Mt.Huashan. Now, two new high
ways up to the mountain have been opened. Mt. Huashan cable cars to the North
Peak were finished.
A series of service facilities were established both on the top and at the
foot of the mountain, including the Huashan Hotel, the Jinrong (finance) hotel,
the Li Hua Ping Hotel and the Beifeng Restaurant. As well, one might can be
refreshed in the restaurants on Qingke Stand, South Peak and North Peak as well
as in temples, big or small. An electric and telephone circuit has been set up
throughout the mountain.
The shops are mostly at the foot of the mountain, where one can rent
walking sticks, gym shoes, warm clothes, electric torches and so on.
in Huangfuyu, two kilometers east of Yuquan there is an 8-kilometer-long
cement road which leads to Wamiaogou. Then one can take the ropeway straight to
North Peak, which takes only seven to eight minutes. Every year one can take
advantage of the best visiting times through May to October.