A Journey Where Myth Meets Reality Atop Treacherous Peaks

I. Trip Planning and Practical Guide 1. Transportation Guide • High-speed Rail: 35-minute journey from Xi'an North Station to Huashan North Station, CNY 54.5. Take free bus routes 1 or 2 to the Tourist Center, or taxi to Yuquan Temple entrance (about CNY 15). • Bus: Departs from Xi'an East Bus Station daily from 7:00-19:15, CNY 28, 2-hour journey, terminates at Yuquan Temple. • Self-driving: Take Lianhuo Expressway, turn right 500m after Huayin exit to reach Tourist Center. Toll fees around CNY 90, parking lot charges per entry (CNY 20/time). 2. Tickets and Discounts • Peak season (March 1-November 30): Entrance CNY 160, West Peak cable car CNY 140, North Peak cable car CNY 80. • Discounts: Free admission for seniors over 65, active military personnel, and disabled persons with valid ID; half-price for veterans and students. • Reservation: Book through "Huashan Tourism Service Platform" WeChat account, recommend booking 3 days ahead during peak season. 3. Accommodation Recommendations • Luxury: Lizi Hotel (Huayin Huashan Scenic Area), private courtyards, mountain views, family-themed rooms. • Budget: Home Inn Plus Hotel (Huayin Huashan North Station), free parking, 5 minutes from highway exit. • Boutique: Jimo Cultural Inn (Huashan Scenic Area Tourist Center), traditional Chinese courtyard style, free pickup service. II. Core Attractions and Mythology 1. West Peak: Legendary Site of Chenxiang Saving His Mother West Peak, also known as Lotus Peak, is famous for its steepness. The "Axe-Split Rock" at the summit is legendarily associated with Chenxiang splitting the mountain to save his mother, Sanshengmu. The thousand-year-old tale "Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother" originates here. From the peak, watch rolling clouds below while imagining the ancient battle between Chenxiang and Erlang Shen. 2. Plank Walk and Sparrowhawk's Somersault: Tests of Courage • Plank Walk: Wooden walkway suspended on South Peak's cliff face, safety harness required (CNY 30/person), not recommended for the faint-hearted. Leads to "He Lao's Stone Chamber," reportedly home to Yuan Dynasty Taoist He Yuanxi. • Sparrowhawk's Somersault: Treacherous path on East Peak requiring chain-assisted climbing, ending at "Chess Pavilion" where Emperor Zhao Kuangyin allegedly lost Mount Hua in a chess game with Chen Tuan. 3. Taoist Sacred Site • Yuquan Temple: Chen Tuan's hermitage, featuring ancient cypress trees and clear springs. Houses Chen Tuan's reclining statue in Xiyi Shrine. • West Peak Temple: Imperial worship site resembling the Forbidden City. Contains Tang Emperor Xuanzong's stone tablet fragments. 4. East Peak Sunrise and South Peak Sea of Clouds • East Peak (Sunrise Peak): Best sunrise viewing point around 5:00 AM, with red-tinged sky and rolling clouds. • South Peak (Landing Wild Goose Peak): Highest peak at 2,154.9m. Panoramic views of mountains shrouded in mist. III. Food and Local Experiences 1. Huayin Special Dishes • Mashipo: Traditional local snack, cat ear-shaped noodles in lamb soup with tofu and glass noodles, topped with chili oil. Try "Lao Shan Noodles" near Yuquan Temple. • Huashan Liangpi: Handmade cold noodles with sesame sauce, garlic, and chili oil, perfect for summer. • Huayin Braised Noodles: Noodles braised with vegetables and meat. Try seafood braised noodles at "Huang Taiji Restaurant." 2. Cultural Heritage Experiences • Huashan Shadow Puppetry: Watch heritage performances at West Peak Temple, featuring local legends like "Splitting the Mountain." • Taoist Vegetarian Cuisine: Try health-conscious dishes at Yuquan Temple's vegetarian restaurant, including "Taiji Tofu" and "Pine Nut Corn." IV. Itinerary Suggestions and Tips 1. One-day Routes • Easy Version: Cable car up/down West Peak, visit West, South, East Peaks and Plank Walk, about 5 hours. • Challenge Version: Hike from Ancient Huashan Trail (Yuquan Temple-North Peak-East Peak-South Peak-West Peak), 8-10 hours, start before dawn. 2. Two-day Routes • Day 1: Arrive afternoon, visit West Peak Temple, overnight on East Peak for sunrise. • Day 2: Watch sunrise, hike South Peak, Plank Walk, West Peak, return afternoon. 3. Important Notes • Equipment: Anti-slip hiking shoes, gloves (essential), waterproof jacket, headlamp (for night hiking). • Safety: Online booking required for Plank Walk and Sparrowhawk's Somersault. Caution advised for those with high blood pressure or heart conditions. • Weather: April temperatures 10-20°C, frequent showers, bring rain gear. V. Conclusion: Spiritual Impact at the Summit Mount Hua, revered as the "Fourth Grotto-Heaven" in Taoism, captivates visitors with its dramatic landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Standing atop West Peak, gazing at the sea of clouds while contemplating the legend of Chenxiang, you'll understand: Mount Hua's beauty lies not just in its majestic scenery, but in its millennia-old myths and beliefs, eternally etched in every rock and treacherous path.