Dangerous and Terrifying Trail of Hua Shan

The sheer photograph of the world's most dangerous hiking trail is enough to make your palm sweaty. The Hua Shan (华山) is a mountian located near the city of Huayin in Shaanxi province. It is one of China's Five Great Mountains and has a long history of religious significance. When I was younger, I often hear about martial arts originating from Hua Shan being one of the best in those stories written by the famous Hong Kong writer Jin Yong. Historically, Hua Shan has been a place of retreat for hard hermits, whether Taoist, Buddhist or others. It is classified as having five main peaks, of which the highest is the South Peak at 2,154.9 meters (7,070 feet).

Part of the trail leading to the top

Standing on the plank, you would be in the best position to appreciate mother nature's beauty

It is on the South Peak that you will find the famous and dangerous cliff-side plank path. To get to the summit, hikers must scale the side of vertical cliff by walking on ridges that are less than a foot wide. Certain stretches of the path is made of shoddy wooden planks that are only a foot wide. Hikers are supported only by cables latched on to the chains that has been attached to the side of the mountain. For the less intrepid, there are gondolas to take you up straight away. The hike gives you not only the adrenaline rush, but also the unobstructed breathtaking view of the mountain ridges around Mount Hua. At the top of the mountain, there is tea house awaiting all hikers who braved through the dangerous plank paths.

Oolong or Longjing tea?

So, either these people really like dangerous climbing, or they simply like tea so much that they are willing to go through the scary hike to get to the top. Either way, I think it is worth the hike and is definitely a must-do once in your lifetime.

As I read on about other travellers' experience, I have made Hua Shan as one of my must-go places on earth. The experience described by fellow travellers is enough to make hearts stopped. Photos of people walking on the foothold carved into the mountain with only a strap holding them from free falling thousands feet below excites me. I only hope that when I am actually there I won't chicken out from the challenge I've set for myself.