Mount Hua — The Most Dangerous Mountain in the World — UNESCO World Heritage
Mount Hua (华山), historically known as "Taihua Mountain," is located in Huayin City, Weinan Prefecture, Shaanxi Province. As the Western Peak of China's Five Great Mountains, it rises to 2,154.9 meters. Renowned for its "peril, steepness, ruggedness, and elegance," it has long been celebrated as "the most perilous mountain under heaven." Designated a National Scenic Area in 1992, it earned UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage status in 2007 (jointly with Mount Li).
Mount Hua features five main peaks — East, West, South, North, and Central — arranged like a blooming lotus (华, the ancient character, is interchangeable with 花, "flower"). The Plank Walk in the Sky is hailed as "Huashan's Number One Peril," suspended on sheer cliffs only three feet wide above bottomless abysses — the most thrilling experience on the mountain. Other legendary trails like Kite Turning Over and Black Dragon Ridge are equally breathtaking.
Since ancient times, Mount Hua has been a sacred site for imperial sacrifices and inspiration for poets and scholars. Li Bai's famous exclamation "How magnificent is the Western Peak!" still echoes among its crags. Sunrise, sea of clouds, extraordinary pines, and bizarre rock formations form the Four Wonders of Huashan, each season revealing a different face.
Each of Mount Hua's five peaks has its own character: East Peak (Chaoyang Peak) is the premier sunrise viewpoint, drawing crowds who climb in the pre-dawn hours; South Peak (Luoyan Peak) is the highest at 2,154.9m, offering sweeping panoramas of endless mountains; West Peak (Lotus Peak), shaped like a blooming lotus, is the most graceful; North Peak (Yuntai Peak), the lowest but strategically positioned, is the cable car terminus; Central Peak (Jade Maiden Peak) is where, legend says, Xiao Shi played his flute to attract a phoenix.
The five peaks are connected by precipitous ridges. Black Dragon Ridge (Canglong Ling) is the critical passage between North and East Peaks — only three feet wide with sheer cliffs on both sides, walking it feels like straddling a dragon's spine. The Tang Dynasty poet Han Yu reportedly wept with terror here, leaving behind the famous tale of "Han Yu Throwing His Letter." Today, guardrails make the crossing far safer.
The Plank Walk in the Sky (长空栈道) is Mount Hua's most perilous attraction, hailed as "Huashan's Number One Danger." The walkway clings to the sheer eastern face of South Peak — wooden planks only 30cm wide, suspended hundreds of meters above the abyss. Visitors must clip into safety harnesses and shuffle along the cliff face. Some sections require sidling sideways, heart-pounding stuff.
With over 700 years of history, the walkway was reportedly carved by Yuan Dynasty Taoist monk He Zhizhen. The full 100-meter route has three segments: ascending stone steps angled into the rock, a wooden plank path, and hand-carved footholds in the cliff face. Allow 30–40 minutes. Not for the faint of heights — but absolutely unforgettable.
Kite Turning Over (鹞子翻身) on the eastern side of East Peak is the only access route to the Chess Pavilion (Botai). To reach it, you must descend from the cliff edge by stepping on carved rock holds while gripping an iron chain — your body suspended and spinning with each step, like a kite turning mid-flight. The 20-meter descent is one of Mount Hua's most challenging climbing experiences.
The Chess Pavilion is a tiny pavilion perched on a sheer rock face, where legend says Emperor Zhao Kuangyin lost Mount Hua in a game of chess against the immortal Chen Tuan. The pavilion is open on three sides with breathtaking views — a photographer's paradise. Note: closed during rain or high winds.
Xiyue Temple (西岳庙) sits at the foot of Mount Hua, serving as the historic site where emperors worshipped the deity of the Western Peak. Founded during the Han Dynasty over 2,000 years ago, the temple complex is vast and architecturally grand, earning it the nickname "Little Forbidden City." It preserves numerous stone steles and ancient buildings — essential for understanding Mount Hua's cultural heritage.
A combo ticket covering both Xiyue Temple and Mount Hua offers a discount. Visit before climbing or after descending to appreciate the mountain's historical and cultural context. The Haoling Hall inside the temple is one of the largest surviving ancient single-structure wooden buildings in China.