Home>>China Travel Guide>>Xi'an Travel Guide>>Mt. Huashan
Mountain Huashan
Mt Huashan, also called “The Great West Mountain” in the past, is one of China's five sacred mountains. It is located to the south of Huayin City, 120 kilometers east of Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province. With an elevation of 2200 meters, the mountain overlooks the Huanghe River and the Weishui River to the north and the links with the Qinling Mountains to the south. Mt Huashan is the tallest among the five great mountains. It is one of the famous mountains as well as a very beautiful scenic spot of China.
Mt Huashan boasts numerous imposing peaks with sheer precipices and overhanging rocks. On the top, peaks stand next to each other like petals of a blossoming flower. The southern peak is the highest. The eastern peak which is the most ideal place for observing the rising sun is carved on one of its rocks four characters meaning “the immortal palm of Mount Huashan”. The western peak resembles a high wall hacked into two by an ax. This has been described as “The only path to get to the top of Mount Huashan”. On the way up, one has to pass through dangerous and perilous passage like the One Thousand-Foot Curtain, the Hundred-Foot Canyon, Old Man Plowing the Ditch, Ladder to the sky and Blue Dragon Ridge. More rare perils include the plank path clinging to the cliff and hanging in mid air, the Harrier Pass, Chess-Play Pavilion, etc. the marvelous peaks, breathtaking precipices, dangerous paths and rocks shock all visitors.
The North Peak is also called the Cloudy Terrace Peak. As you continue your way from Qingke Terrace, you will soon pass a huge rock named “Turn Back”, and you will find yourself at the bottom of the Thousand –foot Precipice. This precipice is cut into the face of a nearly perpendicular cliff. The steps there are only toeholds, and you will have to grasp iron chains for support. After the Hundred-foot Crevice, you ascend to Laojun's Furrow. It is also cut into the cliff. You will feel that the furrow must be ascending right up into the cliff. Nearly 500 steps are hewn up from the bottom part of the furrow. By and by you will finally reach the North Peak. It is the only access to the other four peaks. The North Peak has only on hill that leads to the south with three sides disconnected with anywhere, and it is fairly steep.
The Central Peak is called the Jade Lady Peak. Legend has it that Nong Yu, the daughter of King Mu of the Spring and Autumn Period, was so moved by the music which Xiao Shi, a hermit, played on a vertical bamboo flute, thus she gave up living a happy and luxurious palace life, and together with Xiao Shi, flew here on the back of a dragon and a phoenix and lived in seclusion.
The East Peak is also called the Morning Sun Peak. It is the best place from which to see the sunrise. On the side at one cliff there is the impression of a huge hand colored in a mixture of blue and brown. It is known as “God's Hand Print in Mount Huashan.” It is the first among the Eight Scenic Attractions in Central Shaanxi Plain.
The South Peak (Wild Goose resting Peak) is situated at an elevation of 2.200 meters. It towers over all other peaks on the mountain. It is covered by pines and cypresses that provide deep shade, and extend for several miles. The top of the peak is a bare rock. The huge rock carries inscriptions carved by men of letters of various periods of time.
The West Peak is known as Lotus Flower Peak because of a huge lotus flower shaped rock that stands in front of Cuiyun Temple (Jade Green Cloudy Terrace Temple) at the top. In accordance with the fairy tale “Lotus Lantern”, West Peak is the place where Little Chen Xiang, son of Holy Mother Ⅲ, split the mountain to rescue his mother.
Huashan is also a holy mountain for Taoism. And indeed the ancient buildings found on the mountain have a Taoist connection. With clouds cast a mist over the buildings and peaks, visitors experience a sense of being in a fairyland of deep canyons, precipitous peaks, ethereal temples and pavilions. And in the past, Mount Huashan was regarded as a mountain of divinity and the Temple of Mount Huashan, which lies seven kilometers north of it, served as a place for the emperors of different dynasties to hold sacrificial ceremonies for the God of Mount Huashan.
Thanks to the safety and protection measures already taken, Mount Huashan is now becoming more accessible to visitors both local and foreign, with the aid of cable cars. There are also a few temples on the mountain; visitors can have a rest in them.
