I've been to Mount Hua four times and finally figured it out.

I. Basic Information Location: Huayin City, Weinan, Shaanxi Province, 120 km from Xi'an, 30 minutes by high-speed rail. Best Seasons: • Spring (April-May): Flowers in full bloom, high probability of sea of clouds. • Autumn (September-November): Mountain covered in red leaves, cool weather. • Winter (December-February): Stunning snow scenery, snow chains required (available for rent in the scenic area). II. Tickets and Transportation Tickets: Peak season (March-November) CNY 160, off-season (December-February) CNY 100, including West Peak Temple and Jade Spring Temple. Cable Car: • West Peak Cable Car (Taihua Cable Car): CNY 140 one-way, 20-minute ride through cliffs. • North Peak Cable Car (Sante Cable Car): CNY 80 one-way, 8 minutes to North Peak. Transportation: • High-speed rail to Huashan North Station, transfer to free bus No. 1/2 to the Tourist Center. • Drive to "Huashan Tourist Center," shuttle bus inside the scenic area is a must (West Peak CNY 40/one-way, North Peak CNY 20/one-way). III. Recommended Routes 1. Panoramic Easy Route (8 hours) Route: Tourist Center → West Peak Cable Car → West Peak (Lotus Peak) → South Peak (Long Sky Plank Road) → East Peak (Harrier Turns Back) → Middle Peak → North Peak → North Peak Cable Car down. Advantages: Covers all five main peaks, downhill all the way, suitable for first-time climbers. 2. Night Climbing and Stargazing Route (7-9 hours) Route: Jade Spring Temple (hiking entrance) → North Peak (3 hours) → East Peak (2 hours) → Sunrise viewing → West Peak → West Peak Cable Car down. Advantages: Avoid crowds, enjoy the starry sky and sunrise, requires a group of 3 or more, bring headlamps and warm clothes. 3. Hiking Challenge Route (10 hours) Route: Jade Spring Temple → Thousand-Foot Building → Hundred-Foot Gorge → North Peak → Canglong Ridge → Golden Lock Pass → East Peak → West Peak → Conquer Mount Hua Road down. Advantages: Full hiking experience of "One Road Up Mount Hua," suitable for hiking enthusiasts. IV. Must-See Attractions 1. Long Sky Plank Road (South Peak): CNY 30/person, wooden planks suspended on cliffs, safety ropes required, challenges your courage. 2. Harrier Turns Back (East Peak): 90-degree iron chain descent, overlooking the abyss, CNY 30/person (including safety rope). 3. West Peak Cable Car: 20-minute ride through the air, sea of clouds within reach, not for the faint of heart but definitely worth it. 4. Canglong Ridge (North Peak): Blade-shaped ridge surrounded by clouds and mist, walking like riding a dragon's back. 5. Golden Lock Pass: Covered with prayer locks, symbolizing "locking in peace," a testament to love and friendship. V. Practical Tips Equipment: Non-slip sports shoes, gloves (essential for gripping iron chains), windproof jacket (large temperature difference on the summit), power bank (rentals are expensive in the scenic area). Food: Instant noodles on the summit CNY 20/cup, it is recommended to bring your own snacks (chocolate, beef jerky). Accommodation: • East Peak Hotel: Beds CNY 150/person, close to the sunrise viewing platform, reservations required 3 days in advance. • West Peak Hotel: Standard room CNY 600/night, including breakfast, sunset views. Note: • Last cable car 7pm (West Peak), 6:30pm (North Peak), only the Jade Spring Temple entrance is open after 10pm for night climbing. • Long Sky Plank Road and Harrier Turns Back are closed in rainy and snowy weather, pay attention to the scenic area announcements. VI. Budget Reference (per person) • Tickets: CNY 160 • Cable Car: CNY 220 (West Peak 140 + North Peak 80) • Transportation: CNY 60 (round-trip shuttle bus) • Food and drinks: CNY 100 • Accommodation: CNY 200 Total: Approx. CNY 740 (excluding round-trip transportation). VII. Tips to Avoid Pitfalls • Travel off-peak: Weekends and holidays are crowded, it is recommended to visit Monday to Thursday. • Book in advance: Book tickets and cable car tickets through the "Huashan Scenic Area" official WeChat account to avoid queuing on-site. • Weather warnings: Low visibility in rainy and foggy weather, most beautiful after snow but pay attention to whether the scenic area is closed due to heavy snow. The beauty of Mount Hua lies in the intertwining of dangerous peaks and culture. Whether it's the adrenaline rush of challenging the Long Sky Plank Road or spending a night on the East Peak stargazing, you can experience the thrill of the "Most Precarious Mountain Under Heaven." It is recommended to choose a route based on your physical strength and interests, plan your time in advance, avoid peak crowds, and enjoy this "journey for the brave"! 🌄✨