Mount Hua (Huashan) is a mountain located about 120 kilometres (75 mi) east of Xi'an. It is the "Western Mountain" of the Five Great Mountains of China and has a long history of religious significance. The mountain has five main peaks, the highest of which is the South Peak at 2,154.9 metres (7,070 ft). As early as the 2nd century BC, there was a Daoist temple known as the Shrine of the Western Peak located at its base. Daoists believed that in the mountain lives the god of the underworld. Huashan has a variety of temples and other religious structures on its slopes and peaks.
There are three routes leading to Huashan's North Peak. The most popular is the traditional route in Hua Shan Yu (Hua Shan Gorge), first developed in the 3rd to 4th century A.D. and with successive expansion, mostly during the Tang Dynasty. A new route in Huang Pu Yu (Huang Pu Gorge, named after the hermit Huang Lu Zi who lived in this gorge in 8th century BC) follows the cable car to the North Peak, and is actually the ancient trail used prior to the Tang Dynasty, This trail is now known as "The Intelligent Take-over Route of Hua Shan", and was reinforced in early 2000. The Cable Car System stations are built next to the beginning and ends of this trail. A second cable car line, to the West Peak, was opened in 2013.
Is it safe to hike the mountain? Yes! While it can still be considered dangerous, many safety measure such as steps and rails have been added and the most dangerous routes closed off. An adventure anyway you look at it.
