Hua Shan is a mountain located near the city of Huayin in Shaanxi province, about 120 kilometres (75 mi) east of Xi’an. It is one of China’s Five Great Mountains and has a long history of religious significance. Hua Shan is classified as having five main peaks, of which the highest is the South Peak at 2,154.9 meters (7,070 ft).
It is on South Peak where you will find the famous Cliffside Plank Path. The exhilarating mountain hike is not for the faint of heart. There is a cost of approximately 30 yuan (just under $5 usd) and you are given two straps to hook onto wires on the path. The plank path includes steel rod ladders, footholds carved out of the cliff and narrow wooden plank walks. All of this is located thousands of feet above ground (check out the video at the bottom for a first-person POV).
Although the total length of the plank path is only a few hundred feet, there are plenty of other hiking paths and trails throughout Hua Shan and its various peaks. A cable car is also available for the less intrepid. According to travelsofmike.com, there are several ways to Hua Shan including train, taxi, and bus. There is also a general entrance fee to Hua Shan of 100 yuan ($16 usd) on top of the additional cliffside plank path cost.
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First-Person POV Walking the Path
Elsewhere on Hua Shan
Sources
– Wikipedia: Hua SHan
– Figo’s Fromagio: Huashan – The most wonderful of mountains – Part 1
– Figo’s Fromagio: Huashan – The most wonderful of mountains – Part 2
– Aaron D. Feen on Flickr
– Harry Alverson on Flickr
– Travels of Mike: Conquering the Hua Shan Cliffside Plank Path
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