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Huashan South Peak

华山南峰

Plan Huashan South Peak with the West Peak approach, summit route, Yangtian Pool, Nantian Gate, Changkong Plank Road planning, and descent tips.

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Quick Facts
Ticket
Requires Mount Hua scenic-area entry; cableways, scenic shuttles, and the Changkong Plank Road cost extra when used.
Hours
No separate peak schedule; visit during current Mount Hua scenic-area and cableway operating hours. Changkong Plank Road opening depends on reservation, weather, and crowd control.
Transport
No metro. Use Mount Hua Visitor Center (华山游客中心) for cableway and shuttle routes; Huashan North Railway Station (华山北站) is the nearest high-speed rail anchor.
Duration
1-2 hours for South Peak only; longer if queuing for the Changkong Plank Road
Best Time
Spring and autumn; avoid high-wind or stormy weather for cliffside sections
Visitors
Adults
Book Ticketsvia Trip.com
How to Visit
1

Visit South Peak after West Peak

Most visitors reach South Peak after taking the West Peak cableway up, which saves more energy than climbing all the way from North Peak.

Tip:There is still uphill walking between West Peak and South Peak, so do not estimate the time as if it were flat ground.
2

Complete the summit before considering add-on activities

South Peak is the highest point of Huashan. The summit area includes Luoyan Peak, Yangtian Pool, Songhui Peak, and nearby sights.

Tip:Finish the main summit visit first, then decide whether to try the Changkong Plank Road, so it does not disrupt your descent plan.
3

Treat the Changkong Plank Road as optional

The Changkong Plank Road is on the east cliff of South Peak and involves separate queuing and safety equipment. Skipping it does not affect your South Peak visit.

Tip:If you want to try it, confirm the same-day reservation and on-site opening rules before committing time to the queue. Strong wind, rain, snow, or crowd control can cancel access.
4

Pace yourself if continuing the circuit

If you take the West-up, North-down route, South Peak is usually followed by East Peak, Central Peak, and then the North Peak cableway direction.

Tip:There is still a long mountain walk after South Peak, so do not spend all your energy on photos and queues.
Highlights
  • South Peak is Huashan's highest peak and is the clearest place to complete a summit goal.
  • The summit has broad views, and in good weather you can look back toward West Peak and the surrounding ridges.
  • Yangtian Pool is a small but recognizable sight on the South Peak summit.
  • The area near Nantian Gate gives you a sense of where the Changkong Plank Road sits on the cliff.
  • Songhui Peak and Baidi Temple are quieter than the main summit and work well for a short reset.
Insider Tips

✦Do not make the Changkong Plank Road a required part of your South Peak plan. Queues, weather, and opening status can all affect it.

✦The summit is usually cooler than the foot of the mountain, especially in the early morning, evening, or cloudy weather.

✦Space on the summit is limited. In peak season, wait patiently for photos and leave room for others to pass.

✦Wear shoes with good grip because some stone steps are polished smooth.

✦If someone in your group fears heights or has limited stamina, returning to the West Peak cableway after South Peak is more practical than continuing the full crossing.

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 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

04Historic 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

05Cultural 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

06City Guide

Huashan Plank Walk

长空栈道

Adults Focused

Admission

Requires Mount Hua scenic-area entry; the Plank Walk safety-harness rental is usually CNY 30 when available.

Typical Visit

1-2 hours including reservation check, queueing, safety gear, and return