Weinan 3-Day Off-the-Beaten-Path Itinerary

「🗺️Weinan 3-Day Tour | Mount Hua and Hancheng Ancient City・A Guide for All Ages」 Weinan, a city embraced by the Yellow River and the Qinling Mountains, where the perilous peaks of Mount Hua pierce the clouds, and the ancient streets of Hancheng Ancient City hold stories spanning a thousand years. Bring the whole family here to challenge the grandeur of "the most dangerous mountain under heaven" and savor a bowl of tuomian noodles in the old alleys, experiencing the profound culture and everyday life of the Guanzhong Plain. 🗓️Itinerary Overview Day 1: Arrive in Weinan → Mount Hua (West Peak → South Peak) → Huayin Laoqiang Performance Day 2: Mount Hua (East Peak Sunrise → Central Peak → North Peak) → Qiachuan Wetland Day 3: Hancheng Ancient City → Sima Qian Shrine → Return Trip ⛰️Day 1: Mount Hua’s Danger · West Peak Scenic Views 📍Mount Hua (5A, ticket 160 RMB + West Peak cable car 140 RMB + shuttle bus 40 RMB, free admission for seniors over 65, children under 1.2 meters free) Highlights: The epitome of the "Five Great Mountains' dangers," West Peak "Lotus Flower Peak" has cliffs like knife cuts, and South Peak "Falling Goose Peak" is the summit of Mount Hua. Seniors can take the West Peak cable car directly to the top to easily enjoy the sea of clouds; kids love climbing the "Sky Plank Road" (reservation required, 30 RMB/person, not recommended for those afraid of heights) for an adrenaline rush. 🕙Opening Hours: 7:00-18:00, recommended to take the shuttle bus at 7 AM to avoid cable car queues. 📸Photo Spots: West Peak Alchemy Furnace (cliff and sea of clouds), South Peak Viewing Platform (photo of the "Mount Hua Sword Discussion" stele). 💡Tips: Cable car cabins have glass windows; seniors afraid of heights can close their eyes; bring plenty of water and chocolate as prices at the summit are high; wear non-slip shoes as steps are many and steep. 🍖Recommended: Da Dao noodles in Huayin city, wide noodles with minced meat sauce, chewy and flavorful, 15 RMB/bowl; watch the Huayin Laoqiang performance at night (50 RMB/person), the old artists’ powerful singing is moving for both seniors and children. 🏨Recommended Accommodation: Hot spring hotels at the foot of Mount Hua (such as Huashan Inn), including hot spring tickets, perfect for soaking after climbing, family rooms available, prices 400-600 RMB/night. 🌅Day 2: East Peak Sunrise · Wetland Exploration 📍Mount Hua (East Peak → Central Peak → North Peak) Highlights: East Peak "Sunrise Peak" is an excellent spot to watch the sunrise (around 5:30 AM in summer), Central Peak "Jade Maiden Peak" has a touching legend, North Peak "Yuntai Peak" holds the "Clever Capture of Mount Hua" relics. Seniors can sit quietly at the East Peak viewing platform waiting for sunrise, kids enjoy counting the cliff carvings on North Peak. You can take the North Peak cable car down (80 RMB) to save effort and worry. 🕙Opening Hours: Same as above; to see the sunrise, start from West Peak at 4 AM (later in winter). 📸Photo Spots: East Peak Sunrise Terrace (sunrise and sea of clouds), North Peak "Mount Hua Sword Discussion" cliff carvings (classic check-in). 💡Tips: Bring a thick jacket for sunrise as temperatures are low at the summit early morning; the steps down from North Peak are gentle, suitable for seniors to walk slowly. 📍Qiachuan Wetland (4A, ticket 60 RMB) Highlights: The largest wetland in the Yellow River basin, "ten thousand mu of reed marsh" like a green ocean, you can ride bamboo rafts (50 RMB/person) through it and see black storks and egrets resting. Seniors can birdwatch from the shore, kids love collecting wetland shells, feeling the poetic charm of "Guan Guan Ju Jiu." 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended to arrive at 3 PM to avoid the scorching sun. 📸Photo Spots: Reed marsh bamboo raft (photos of people floating in a painting), Yellow River mudflats (sunset glow). 💡Tips: Mosquitoes are many in summer, spray kids with insect repellent; bamboo rafts have sunshades, seniors can sit without sun exposure. 🏮Day 3: Ancient City Flavors · Honoring the Sage Historian 📍Hancheng Ancient City (free, some attractions charge) Highlights: Well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty ancient city, shops line the north-south main streets, City God Temple (ticket 10 RMB), and Dongying Temple ancient stage are worth visiting. Seniors can watch elders playing chess at alley entrances, kids can buy "Hancheng Thirteen Flowers" cultural creative pastries and try freshly made tuomian noodles (8 RMB/bowl, a Guanzhong specialty). 🕙Opening Hours: All day, fewer people in the early morning, ideal for photos. 📸Photo Spots: South Gate of the ancient city (blue brick archway), Wenyuan Pavilion (Ming and Qing architectural details). 🍖Recommended: Lamb helo noodle restaurant inside the ancient city, buckwheat noodles with lamb soup, 20 RMB/bowl; fried oil cakes (3 RMB each, red bean paste filling), loved by seniors and kids alike. 📍Sima Qian Shrine (4A, ticket 80 RMB) Highlights: Shrine commemorating the "Sage Historian" Sima Qian, built on a high hill by the Yellow River, the "Han Grand Historian" archway is simple and solemn, the tomb mound looks like a small hill. Seniors can listen to stories from the Records of the Grand Historian, kids can participate in the "bamboo slip writing" experience (20 RMB/person), feeling the spirit of "exploring the limits of heaven and man, understanding changes from ancient to present." 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended to arrive at 2 PM for optimal lighting to photograph the shrine panorama. 📸Photo Spots: Sima Ancient Path (stone steps and archway), Sima Qian statue (historic gravitas). 💡Tips: Shrine steps are gentle, easy for seniors; audio guide 20 RMB helps understand Sima Qian’s life. ✨Weinan Survival Guide 1️⃣Transportation: Taxi starting fare in Weinan is 6 RMB; to Mount Hua take the high-speed train (18 minutes, 25 RMB) or taxi (50 RMB); to Hancheng Ancient City, self-driving is recommended (2 hours) or take a bus (30 RMB/person); combined tickets for Mount Hua shuttle bus and cable cars are more cost-effective. 2️⃣Clothing: Spring wear light jackets + long sleeves (windy on Mount Hua); summer wear short sleeves + sun protection clothing (strong UV, bring sun hats); autumn wear windbreaker + sweater (big temperature difference between morning and night); winter wear down jacket + non-slip shoes (Mount Hua has snow, crampons needed). 3️⃣Taboos: No loud noises or touching statues at Mount Hua’s sacrificial sites; do not enter residents’ courtyards casually in Hancheng Ancient City; respect history and do not discuss sages inside Sima Qian Shrine. 4️⃣Food: Weinan cuisine is salty and savory, mainly noodles; tuomian and helo noodles are must-tries; seniors and kids should eat more sweet foods like fried oil cakes and fermented glutinous rice; bring steamed buns and eggs when climbing Mount Hua for a filling and affordable snack. 🛍️Must-Buy Souvenirs ①Fuping Persimmon Cakes (30 RMB/box, frosted white and sweet, loved by seniors and kids) ②Mount Hua Rock Painting Cultural Products (40 RMB/set, keychains, bookmarks, meaningful souvenirs) ③Hancheng Sichuan Pepper (50 RMB/jin, Dahongpao variety, very fragrant for cooking) ④Pucheng Crisp Pears (20 RMB/box, crispy, sweet, juicy, seasonal fruit) The beauty of Weinan lies in Mount Hua’s danger, the Yellow River’s vastness, and the ancient city’s leisurely pace. No matter who you come with, after challenging the perilous peaks and hearing the Laoqiang singing, you will fall in love with the toughness and gentleness of this Guanzhong land. If you come to Weinan, do you most want to watch the Mount Hua sunrise with your parents or take your kids bamboo rafting in the wetlands?