Dare to walk the Hua Shan Cliffside Plank Walk (华山长空栈道, Huà Shān Chángkōng Zhàndào) in Xi’an and experience one of China’s most thrilling hiking adventures. Choose from cable-assisted hikes or pure trekking to catch sunrise at East Peak , explore the West, Central, and North Peaks , and marvel at breathtaking cliffs. Practical tips on tickets, shuttle buses, and cable cars help plan your route safely. Whether you’re seeking heart-pounding thrills or scenic photo spots , Hua Shan offers an unforgettable adventure for every traveler.
Dare to Try the Hua Shan Cliffside Plank Walk
Visiting Shaanxi , almost everyone chooses to climb Hua Shan (华山, Huà Shān) at least once. Many international TV shows have also filmed here — not for anything else, but to experience the thrill of Hua Shan’s legendary danger.
Read Next: After conquering Hua Shan's peaks, cool off with a visit to Famen Temple, home to the sacred Buddha's Finger Bone relic.
Choose Your Hiking Route
One-Day Tour
If you plan to hike up and down in a single day, there are generally two options :
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Cable + Hike (Easier Option): Combine a cable car ride with walking. This is the most popular choice for cost, time, and fatigue management. A recommended route:
West Peak Cable Up → Cliffside Plank Walk → East Peak → Central Peak → West Peak → North Peak Cable Down -
Hike for Sunrise (Hardcore Option): Pure hiking is usually for those who want to catch the sunrise. This involves night hiking , starting from the mountain gate at night, climbing to East Peak Chaoyang Terrace (东峰朝阳台, Dōng Fēng Cháoyáng Tái) to watch the sunrise, and then hiking back down.
💡 Sunrise Tips: Sunrise times vary by season. Check sunrise schedules and weather in advance for proper planning.
For a more relaxed experience: take the cable car to North Peak in the afternoon, hike to East Peak in about three hours, find a good spot to sit, and wait for roughly six hours to enjoy the sunrise.
Two-Day Tour
For a two-day tour , you can enjoy a more leisurely pace while still catching the sunrise. Since sunrise is best viewed from East Peak , it’s recommended to stay overnight at East Peak.
Suggested route:
West Peak Cable Up → Cliffside Plank Walk → East Peak (overnight & sunrise) → Central Peak → West Peak → North Peak Cable Down
Suggested route:
West Peak Cable Up → Cliffside Plank Walk → East Peak (overnight & sunrise) → Central Peak → West Peak → North Peak Cable Down
⚠️ Accommodation Tips: Lodging on Hua Shan is basic — usually dormitory-style or hostel rooms , with very low temperatures. Food and water on the mountain are expensive, so bring adequate clothing and snacks.
Hua Shan Tickets & Discounts
Due to the complexity of Hua Shan (华山, Huà Shān) , there are multiple types of tickets. Besides the main scenic area tickets, there are also cable car tickets for North Peak and West Peak , as well as shuttle bus tickets , since most visitors take the cable cars because of the mountain’s difficulty.
Ticket Options
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Ticket + North Peak Shuttle
Valid for: East Mountain Gate, East Line at Visitor Center, Xiyue Temple, and Xianyu
Price (Adult / Student / Senior): ¥180 / ¥100 / ¥20 per person -
Ticket + West Peak Shuttle
Valid for: West Line at Visitor Center, Xiyue Temple, and Xianyu
Price (Adult / Student / Senior): ¥200 / ¥120 / ¥40 per person -
Single Entrance Ticket (Hiking Only)
Valid for: West Mountain Gate, Xiyue Temple, and Xianyu
Price (Adult / Student): ¥160 / ¥80 per person
💡 Tip: Hua Shan tickets are valid for 48 hours , allowing a second entry within that time frame.
Transportation & Cable Cars at Hua Shan
Shuttle Buses
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West Peak Shuttle: ¥40 per person
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North Peak Shuttle: ¥20 per person
Cable Cars
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West Peak Taihua Cable (西峰太华索道, Xī Fēng Tàihuá Suǒdào):
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¥140 per person (March 1 – Nov 30)
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¥120 per person (Dec 1 – Feb 28)
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North Peak Sante Cable (北峰三特索道, Běi Fēng Sān Tè Suǒdào):
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¥80 per person (March 1 – Nov 30)
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¥45 per person (Dec 1 – Feb 28)
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ℹ️ Source: All information from the official Hua Shan Scenic Area website. For online ticket purchases and more details , check the Hua Shan Scenic Area official WeChat account.
Step-by-Step Transportation Guide
Bus & Shuttle Options
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Xi’an Chengdong Bus Station: Take K302/K402 buses to Huayin , approx. 2 hours. Departure: 7:00 a.m. – 7:15 p.m., every 30 minutes.
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Tourist Line 1: Approx. 2 hours, same schedule as above.
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Scenic Shuttle Bus: Departs at 6:20 a.m. from Shijia Street Metro Station Exit C1, Qin Zhifeng Departure Point , ticket: ¥60.
Other options:
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Hua Shan Railway Station: Minibuses to Hua Shan Visitor Center available.
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Hua Shan North Station: Dedicated shuttles to Hua Shan Visitor Center.
Train Options
- Hua Shan North Station: Multiple daily trains to the station, approx. 30–40 minutes travel. Tickets are usually available.