Exploring China’s Flower Summit
Concentrate.
Make sure you are properly detaching and reattaching your harness correctly.
Don’t look down. Oh no. You looked down. BIG mistake. Deep breaths. Those are not deep breaths. Panic attack in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. What did I get myself into?
With more than 6,500 feet separating myself from the ground, these thoughts ran through my mind. As my friend and I clung to the mountain in sheer panic, a fellow hiker came to our rescue. In broken English a Chinese woman wisped by us effortlessly with the grace of Catwoman and told us to, “put peace in heart.” With this new advice we continued on our way. With every step we chanted our new mantra.
On a trip to China, a friend and I were adventurous enough to climb Mt. Huashan located in Shaanxi province. The mountain, known as one of China’s five sacred mountains, is located 75 miles east of Xi’an. While China is full of several “must-see destinations,” those who want to get off the beaten track, for thrill seekers or for nature lovers, Mt. Huashan should not be missed.
Getting there
While the mountain has become more popular in recent years, obtaining information about the mountain remains difficult and getting there is still an adventure in itself. Traveling in China is best done by train. But booking should be done in advance as trains regularly sell out.
From Xi’an you can leave from Xi’an Railway Station or Xi’an Bei (North) Railway Station. I recommend the latter. Xi’an North Railway will get you to the city of Huayin in about 30 minutes via a bullet train for about 60 RBM. In addition, upon arrival there is a shuttle bus, or a plethora of taxis, that take you directly to Mt. Huashan.
The Mountain
From the base of the mountain, there are two places to start your ascent: the west peak cable car entrance or the north peak cable car entrance. Both require a shuttle bus from the ticket entrance. The cheaper and more popular route is to ascend from the north peak.
Once off the cable car, the real adventure begins. Although I have experience hiking various mountains, never before have I encountered such a unique trail.
To begin, the majority of the mountain is pure rock made of hundreds of uneven “stairs” carved directly into the mountain. This of course is not always safe, especially in winter with ice and snow. Furthermore, there are numerous stories of deaths occurring every year on Mt. Huashan, but because of censorship, these accounts cannot be confirmed. For the majority of the hike, I felt safe, however, there were definitely precarious sections that should be handled with caution.
Mt. Huashan has the nicknames of “lotus” or “flower,” as its five peaks (North, South, Center, East and West) resemble a flower. If ascending hundreds of flights of stairs is not enough to take your breath away, the view from its summits are guaranteed too.
As one looks over the jagged rocks jutting from the landscape and weaving between white billows of clouds, you almost feel as if you are in a sacred painting. This enchanting feeling is only proliferated by the fact that you are constantly surrounded by ancient Taoist Temples and relics.
Another popular path is “Jinsuo Guan,” or the Golden Lock Gate. Here one can pass thousands of gold locks all individually placed along chains on both sides of the path. Attached to each lock is a bright red ribbon inscribed with prayers from previous hikers.
“Changong Zhandao” Floating in Air Road
Perhaps the most famous and photographed trail for visitors is the infamous Floating in Air Road. The path is described perfectly by its name, although it should be further noted as: “walking-on-rotted-wood-planks-held-together-with-rusty-nails-above-the-air.” The trail starts with the optional harness rental, which at 30 RMB was by far the most justifiable money I spent. The adventure and panic attack started almost immediately as I descended vertically down a cliff face via steel bars. Although I was attached, it was up to me to constantly detach and reattach my harness.
It was at this point where we met our angel, a.k.a. Catwoman, who gave us the much-needed advice. Once you complete this ladder system, you reach the one-foot-wide wooden planks. While the state of the rotting wooden planks is questionable, I found myself relieved to be walking horizontally again. I even felt comfortable enough at this stage to snap a few pictures of the incredible view. Take note, every step and movement you make on this plank should be slow and diligent.
After 15 minutes of “living on the edge,” you reach the other side to see a sacred Buddha cave and other religious objects. But the only way to get back is to walk the plank again.
By the time we completed the plank walk, the sun was beginning to set, and my friend and I began sprinting down the mountain in fear we would miss the last cable car to the bottom at 8 p.m. We made it there at 7:50.
My only regret with this China trip was not spending more days at this beautiful mountain. Even months later, I dream about seeing myself on Floating in Air Road yet again, telling myself to put one foot in front of the other and to breathe. Unlike reality, though, I wake up at the thought of falling. I murmur to myself to put peace in my heart and I fall soundly back to sleep.
Prices:
Entrance fee (2 Day Pass): 180 RMB
Shuttle between ticket office to Cable Car (North Peak) (One way): 20 RMB
Shuttle between ticket office to Cable Car (West Peak) (One Way): 40 RMB
Cable Car to North Peak (One Way): 80 RMB
Cable car to West Peak (One Way): 140 RMB
Harness for Floating in Air Road: 30 RMB
Bullet train from Xi’an Bei (North) Railroad Station: 60 RMB
Slow train from Xi’an Railroad Station: 20 RMB
Other transportation (Taxi or bus between mountain and train stations): 50 RBM-100 RMB