Different Ways to Explore Mt. Huashan

Written by Clementine | Updated September 06,2025

As one of the five most famous mountains in China, Mt. Huashan is located in Huayin City, Weinan City and about 120 kilometers away from Xian downtown. It is renowned as “The most perilous mountain in the world” with five main peaks in total, and in each peak, tourists can enjoy different landscapes and experiences. When looking from afar, the mountain resembles a blooming lotus flower.

For all tourists plan to explore Mt. Huashan, the first core question they wonder is “Should I choose to climb the mountain by hiking or take the cable car?” It is not merely a choice of transportation, but influences your travel experience, physical condition and safety. Now, follow this article to make your decision.

To explore Huashan, there are general 4 routes regarding to Mt. Huashan trip for you to choose. By the way, it is necessary to be noted that the shuttle bus and cable car to north peak respectively cost 20 and 80 RMB for single way. In contrast, it’s 40 for shuttle bus and 140 for cable car to the west peak, both for single way as well. In addition, the driving time of shuttle bus to north peak takes 20 mins, and 40 mins to west peak.

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• Cable Car or Hiking
• Cable Car Stations on Mt. Huashan
• West Peak Up → North Peak Down – Avoid Backtracking
• North Peak up → West Peak down – Challenging Route
• West Peak up → West Peak down – Most Relaxing Route
• North Peak up → North Peak down – Economic but Labor-consuming
• Complete Hiking Tour – Suitable for Outdoor Enthusiasts
• Mt. Hushan Hiking Tips
• How Many Days to Spend on Huashan Mountain
• Which Peak Offers the Best Sunrise View, And How Can You See It?
• Do You Need to Pre-book Entrance Tickets And Cable Car Tickets Online?
• What Is the Estimated Cost for the Trip?
• Plan Your Mt. Huashan Tour with China Xian Tour

Cable Car or Hiking

In brief, it mainly depends on your physical strength and time. If choosing cable car, you can arrive at the core scenic areas directly without spending too much time and energy, making it possible to visit the five main peaks easily in one day. Another irreplaceable experience is that you can overlook the deep valley and continuous mountain ranges at high altitude, and enjoy the breathtaking feeling of “rides on the clouds and mist”. But the cost is relatively high compared with hiking.

While hiking allows you to truly appreciate the essence of precipitousness of Mount Huashan, and bring you a great sense of achievement and a deep tour experience, which can not be obtained through cable car. And you can explore the abundant cultural relics along the way on your own pace. However, it takes more time and energy.

So in general, tourists prefer to combine the two ways, i.e. hike up the mountain and take the cable car downhill. By this way, they can enjoy the fun of climbing, avoid excessive physical exertion, and also appreciate the scenery from different angles when going down the mountain.

Cable Car Stations on Mt. Huashan

There are two cable car stations on Mt Huashan, which are West Peak Cableway and North Peak Cableway respectively. West Peak Cableway connects the east entrance of Wengyu Valley and the  Giant Spirit Foot on the West Peak. It is the world’s first single-line circulating detachable cable car with cliff-side excavated station, fluctuating route, and a middle station. The single ride takes about 30 minutes and travel through sea of clouds and perilous landscapes like Thousand-foot Precipice and Hundred-foot Crevice, etc.

And North Peak Cableway is the earliest cableway of Mt Huashan, which has been opened since 1996 and ends the history of “only one road up Mt. Huashan”. Its lower station is at Wamiao Valley in Huangfu Valley, and upper station is situated at North Peak directly. With lower price, it has been the choice of most budge travelers.

West Peak Up → North Peak Down – Avoid Backtracking

• Route: Tourist Center → West Peak Cableway up → West Peak → South Peak → East Peak → Middle Peak → North Peak → North Peak Cableway down
• Time Needed: 5 – 7 hours
• Feature: One-way circular route, basically avoid backtracking

This is the most classic hiking route on Mt. Huashan which starts with easier part and then progresses to more difficult ones and moves from high to low. In this journey, you will first take the most spectacular cable car to the top, then descend gradually meanwhile visiting the scenic spots along the way, and finally leave from the lower North Peak. So you will be able to cover the highlights of Mt. Huashan, including the five main peaks, Lianhua Terrace, Heavenward Ladder, etc. And the total cost is CNY 440, including the admission ticket, shuttle bus and cableway.

The cable car to west peak is much more thrilling, it is recommended except for those who have severe acrophobia. Though there are more downward steps, the hiking distance is about 4 – 6 kilometers which is mainly ridge trails with significant undulations, so for older people and those who have injury on knees, this route is not the perfect one.

North Peak up → West Peak down – Challenging Route

• Route: Tourist Center → North Peak Cableway up → North Peak → Black Dragon Ridge → Golden Lock Pass → Middle Peak → East Peak → South Peak → West Peak → West Peak Cableway down
• Time Needed: 6 – 10hours
• Feature: Longer hiking distance, more upward roads

Compared with the first one, this route is more challenging with more upward steps, because you will arrive at the lower North Peak, and then ascend all the way up, finally leave from the higher West Peak Cableway. So it is suitable for tourists who are in good condition and seek for challenging. The total cost is the same as the first route, which is CNY 440.

The main advantage is that you can climb the famous perilous passage, Black Dragon Ridge, along the way, which can not be experienced in the first route. The queuing time for North Peak Cableway is also usually shorter than that for the West Peak Cableway, so you will have more precious visiting time. And you can experience high-altitude cable car of West Peak and enjoy the splendid scenery from different views. If your time is well arranged, it is possible to appreciate the sunset on West Peak.

West Peak up → West Peak down – Most Relaxing Route

• Route: Tourist Center → West Peak Cableway up → West Peak → South Peak → East Peak → Middle Peak → West Peak → West Peak Cablewaydownhill
• Time Needed: 5 – 7hours
• Feature: Most relaxing, shorterhiking distance, more flat roads and gentle slopes

This route is definitely the most relaxing and effortless way to visit Mt. Huashan, especially suitable for families and travelers with tight schedules or limited physical strength. The hiking distance is relative short, which is about 3 – 4 kilometers and most are the flat roads on ridges and gentle slopes without intense climbing. So it saves energy and time to the greatest extent, allowing tourists to enjoy a leisure time to appreciate the most spectacular scenery of West Peak, South Peak and East Peak of Mt. Huashan.

But you will miss the North Peak and the famous Black Dragon Ridge. Besides, its expense is the most expensive among all routes, which costs about CNY 520.

North Peak up → North Peak down – Economic but Labor-consuming

• Route: Tourist Center → North Peak Cableway up → North Peak → Black DragonRidge → Golden Lock Pass → Middle Peak → East Peak → South Peak → West Peak → Return along the same route to North Peak Cableway down
• Time Needed: 6 – 8 hours
• Feature: Most economical, longesthiking distance, need backtrack

For tourists with limited budgets but good physical strength, this route is especially suitable. Since both the ascent and descent are via the North Peak cable car, the cost is minimal, which takes about CNY 340. The highlight of this route is the Black Dragon Ridge, the best place to experience the perilousness of the mountain. After arriving at the Golden Lock Pass, you can choose one or several of the remaining peaks to tour according to your own strength and time.

The disadvantage of this route is that travelers have to return to North Peak by the same route, which means a long hiking distance and you need to pass through some of the same dangerous passages as the uphill way, it will be a second test for your knees and physical strength. And you may not have enough time for in-depth tours of all the main peaks.

Complete Hiking Tour – Suitable for Outdoor Enthusiasts

• Route: Yuquan Temple→ North Peak → Middle Peak → East Peak → South Peak → West Peak
• Time Needed: 8- 10 hours
• Feature: A deep experience of perilousness of Mt. Huashan, require extremely high physical fitness

A complete hiking tour is a ultimate test of physical strength and willpower, but the magnificent scenery along the way and the sense of achievement after conquering it will definitely make you feel that the trip is worthwhile. During the journey, you will pass by the following main precipitous paths: Thousand-foot Precipice, Hundred-foot Crevice, Laojun Valley and Black Dragon Ridge.

The total length is about 12 kilometers with the most difficult section being Yuquan Temple – North Peak, which will take about 4 – 5 hours. Then you will spend 1 – 2 hours from North Peak to Middle Peak and 0.5 – 1 hour for the rest three sections including Middle Peak – East Peak – South Peak – West Peak. Through hiking, you will have a deep experience of its steepness. And the only main cost is the entrance ticket, which is CNY 100 – 160.

Mt. Hushan Hiking Tips

What is the Best Time of Year to Hike Mt. Huashan for Good Weather and Smaller Crowds?

Mid-May will be a better time, when the rainy season already passes and there is relatively low risk of stone steps being slippery. Besides, you may also watch spring flowers and sea of clouds.  Another suitable time is mid to late October. It is the best time to appreciate and take photos of red leaves. And the weather is cool and there are more sunny days. The most important is that you can avoid the crowds during the May Day and National Day holidays, with relatively fewer tourists and a shorter waiting time for the cable car.

How Long does It Take to Hike the Famous Plank Walk on the South Peak?

The entire process of the Plank Walk experience usually takes about one hour, including queuing, wearing equipment, and walking back and forth.

What to Pack for a Day Hike or An Overnight Trip on Mt. Huashan?

The core equipment includes anti-slip hiking shoes, gloves, windproof coats or warm coats to prevent the cold at dusk and in the evening. As for dietary supplements, 2 – 3 L of water and high-calorie snacks are necessary, such as chocolates, beef jerky, energy bars and breads. Also, a head lamp or flashlight is needed at night. Other required items are sunscreen, hat, raincoat, power banks and a small amount of cash. Alpenstock is optional, you can prepare based on your own situations.

Can You Hike the Entire Mountain in One Day Without Taking Any Cable Cars?

Theoretically, it is feasible, but for most people, the trip is quite hard and takes almost 10 hours, making it a big challenge for physical ability. So it is more recommended to combine hiking up mountain with taking the cable car down.

How Many Days to Spend on Huashan Mountain

If you have a tight schedule or limited physical strength, a one-day tour will be a good choice. Besides, taking the cable car up and down can help you explore the main highlights of Mt Huashan efficiently.

But if you wish to fully experience the wonders and beauty of Mt Huashan, including watching the sunrise and sunset and experiencing thrilling activities, a two-day trip will be better for a leisure and in-depth exploration.

Which Peak Offers the Best Sunrise View, And How Can You See It?

The recognized best viewing point for sunrise is the East Peak. To watch the splendid sunrise, the most popular way is night climbing. It usually takes about 4 – 6 hours, so a reasonable time schedule is important.

Another option is to live in the hotel at the summit and go to the observation deck on the next morning.

But no matter the choices, it is necessary to arrive at the viewing point at least one hour in advance to ensure a good position.

Do You Need to Pre-book Entrance Tickets And Cable Car Tickets Online?

Since Mt. Huashan is hot tourist attraction in China, it is highly recommended to book the entrance tickets and cable car tickets online in advance in case of no tickets when purchasing on site. Hiking and taking the cable car are different routes, so different types of tickets need to be bought and checked at different entrances. And the scenic area implements a time-slot reservation system, so remember to enter at the exact period. You will not be allowed to enter during the non-reserved time slot.

What Is the Estimated Cost for the Trip?

Usually, the total cost, including tickets, cable cars, and accommodation on the mountain, is about CNY 500 – 800. The price ranges for each item are listed below.

• Entrance ticket: CNY 100 – 160
• Shuttle bus: CNY 20 – 40
• Cable cars: CNY 80 – 140
• Hotels: CNY 150 – 300 per bed
• Food and drinks: CNY 15 +

Plan Your Mt. Huashan Tour with China Xian Tour

Mt Huashan has great appealing to many domestic and international travelers. For tourists who do not know which means to choose to tour the mountain, China Xian Tour can give reasonable advice according to your conditions and needs. And we can plan a Xian tour with Mt Huashan so that you can cover all the major tourist attractions of the city. Of course, to ensure you can visit the scenic areas, we offer ticket booking service. So contact us right now.