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Golden Lock Pass

金锁关

Plan Golden Lock Pass on Mount Hua with the North Peak route, Canglong Ridge approach, hanging-lock scenery, peak-branch choices, and descent timing tips.

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Quick Facts
Ticket
Requires Mount Hua scenic-area entry; no separate ticket for Golden Lock Pass.
Hours
No separate pass schedule; visit during current Mount Hua scenic-area route, cableway, and weather conditions.
Transport
No metro. Use Mount Hua Visitor Center (华山游客中心) for cableway and shuttle routes; Golden Lock Pass is reached on foot inside the summit area.
Duration
10-30 minutes as a route checkpoint and photo stop
Best Time
Spring and autumn; clear weather is better for views back toward Canglong Ridge
Visitors
All ages
Book Ticketsvia Trip.com
How to Visit
1

Use Golden Lock Pass as a main route checkpoint

It sits after Wuyun Peak and works as an important pass from the North Peak side into the East, West, South, and Central Peak area.

Tip:This is a good place to reassess your energy, the weather, cableway timing, and the next section of your route.
2

Reach it from North Peak via Canglong Ridge

A common route is North Peak, Canglong Ridge, Wuyun Peak, then Golden Lock Pass, before continuing toward the main peaks.

Tip:The climb from North Peak to the pass already takes effort, so do not underestimate the peaks that come after it.
3

Make a short stop at the pass

The stone arch, hanging locks, colored ribbons, and the view back toward Canglong Ridge are the main scenes here.

Tip:Space is limited, so take photos and then keep the passage clear.
4

Choose your next peak route by time and energy

After Golden Lock Pass, you can continue toward Central, East, South, and West Peaks, or shorten the route if needed.

Tip:If the weather worsens, daylight is fading, or energy is dropping, plan your cableway descent earlier.
5

Rest and adjust gear away from the narrow passage

Golden Lock Pass is busy and works better for a short pause than a long stop.

Tip:Drink water, add layers, or check the route away from the narrow gate and stair sections.
Highlights
  • An important pass in Huashan's main peak area, also known as Tongtianmen.
  • The stone arch and narrow path make it both a route junction and a recognizable scenic point.
  • Love locks, prayer locks, and colored ribbons form one of Huashan's concentrated blessing scenes.
  • Looking back toward Canglong Ridge and North Peak helps you understand the route you just climbed.
  • From here, several peak routes branch out, making it a useful decision point during the main mountain circuit.
Insider Tips

✦Golden Lock Pass has no separate ticket; its main value is as a route node, viewpoint, and blessing spot.

✦On holidays, early mornings, and after night-hike sunrise hours, several visitor streams can meet here and cause congestion.

✦Lock-hanging is optional. Only use areas where the scenic area allows it.

✦Supplies on the mountain usually cost more than below, so carry a small amount of water and high-energy snacks without overloading your bag.

✦After Golden Lock Pass, route choices increase. Check cableway operating time and weather before adding side experiences.

More Huashan Attractions
01City Guide

Huashan Mountain

华山

All Ages

Admission

Peak-season scenic-area entry is CNY 160; cableways, scenic shuttles, and cliff-route projects cost extra.

Typical Visit

5-6 hours for a west-up north-down first visit; 8-12 hours for tougher hiking routes

02City Guide

Huashan West Peak

华山西峰

All Ages

Admission

Requires Mount Hua scenic-area entry; West Peak cableway, scenic shuttle, and optional cliff-route projects cost extra.

Typical Visit

2-3 hours for West Peak only; 5-6 hours if continuing through the main peaks

03City Guide

Huashan South Peak

华山南峰

Adults Focused

Admission

Requires Mount Hua scenic-area entry; cableways, scenic shuttles, and the Changkong Plank Road cost extra when used.

Typical Visit

1-2 hours for South Peak only; longer if queuing for the Changkong Plank Road

04City Guide

Huashan East Peak

华山东峰

Adults Focused

Admission

Requires Mount Hua scenic-area entry; cableways, scenic shuttles, and optional cliff-route projects cost extra.

Typical Visit

1-2 hours for East Peak; allow much longer for sunrise or night-hike plans

05Historic Walk

Huashan North Peak

华山北峰

All Ages

Admission

Requires Mount Hua scenic-area entry; North Peak cableway and scenic shuttle are separate from the main ticket.

Typical Visit

1-3 hours for North Peak only; much longer if continuing toward the other peaks

06Cultural Stop

Huashan Central Peak

华山中峰

Adults Focused

Admission

Requires Mount Hua scenic-area entry; cableways and scenic shuttles cost extra when used.

Typical Visit

20-60 minutes