The point where the horses turn back but not the brave

The peaks of Huashan Mountain from above are said to resemble the petals of a huge plant, with the middle peak as the corolla, hence comes the mountain's name, Hua Shan, the "flower mountain". It's located to the south of Huayin city, 120 kilometers east of Xian, in China's Shaanxi province, at an elevation of 2,200 meters above sea level.


Of the five peaks it is the southern peak (2,100 meters) that is the largest, closely followed by those in the east and west. The ascent provides not only natural scenery, but also a number of man-made constructions that, for better or worse, are now a part of the mountain's tourist culture.

The Northern Peak is the first one you will have to confront for an assault on the mountain. Although the smallest of the peaks here, it still provides a great challenge to climbers due to its devilish precipitousness.

An old Chinese saying goes like this: "There is only one pathway in Huashan since ancient times." The 12 km pathway leads from the foot of the mountain to the south starts at the Jade Fountain Temple (Yu Quan Yuan).

It doesn't become precipitous until Qing Ke Ping, where there is a huge rock engraved with Chinese characters meaning “the point where the horses turn back”.

It warns that the challenges ahead and those who are not well prepared both mentally and physically should retreat.

Continuing the climb, one will be confronted with the Thousand-foot Precipice (Qian Chi Zhuang). It is a steep stone staircase, excavated on the cliff, rising vertically about 370 steps up to the North Peak.

It's the first, but a great test of one’s determination when the climbers proceed upwards supported only by iron chains on the flanks.

Following the Thousand-food Precipice, the pathway winds through rugged places such as the Hundred-food Valley (Bai Chi Xia), the Immortals' Bridge (Xian Ren Qiao), the God's Palm (Xian Zhang), and the Ear Touching Cliff (Ca Er Yan) where the path is so narrow that people have to pass with their ears touching the cliff.

Truly one of the most terrifying routes for the adventure tourist.

The Huanshan Mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.