Tourist pedestrian bridge in Shaanxi province of China. Mount Huashan and the Paths of Death

There are fewer and fewer places on Earth where no human has set foot. In particular, they (these very legs) reached the steep slopes of Mount Huashan. And since it was not possible to get around the mountain, they had to build a real path of death on its slope.

Where is Mount Huashan located?

The mountain itself is located approximately in the center of China, 120 kilometers east of the city Xi'an, in Shaanxi Province. Just 20 kilometers to the northeast you can see the bend of the famous Yellow River.

Geographic coordinates 34.477797, 110.084682

Mount Huashan

It is worth briefly talking directly about Mount Huashan. This is the western mountain of the Five Great Mountains of China. In fact, the mountain has several peaks. It was originally classified as a mountain with three peaks, but it is now generally accepted that it has five peaks. The highest is the South Peak with a height of 2,154.5 meters (according to other sources, the height is 2,160 meters).

At the top of the mountain is a teahouse, which is actually one of the many Taoist temples located on the five peaks that make up Mount Huashan. Considering that the first inhabitants of this region were monks and led an ascetic lifestyle, their daily meditation was accompanied by a cup of tea.

Thus, gradually the temple became a teahouse, which is visited by thousands of tourists every year. But getting to this secluded place is not so easy. The tea peak of the mountain is located on its south side, at an altitude of 2155 meters. After walking along the path of death, you can get to the top.

Path of Death

Many people set out every year to conquer one of the most dangerous hiking routes in the world. It’s not for nothing that it’s called the path of death. It consists of rickety ladders and planks nailed to rocks. Every step of this road is accompanied by a powerful surge of adrenaline in any person.

The road to the top begins with a large staircase called the "Heavenly Staircase". At first glance, it leads to the sky. This is a kind of ascent into the clouds, since it is unrealistic to see where the steps end, and there are thousands of them.

On the way to the top you can see houses and even small villages. However, the road does not end here. This is just the beginning and the most accessible part of the journey. Once you reach the south side of the mountain, one of the most dangerous routes in the world awaits you.

This part of the path is made of thin planks that are fixed to the mountainside. To maintain your balance, you must hold on to the chains also attached to the slopes. Sometimes you can use small holes in the rock. There are practically no safety features here.

We think that when (and if) you get to the end of the journey, the mountaintop tea combined with the adrenaline will be incredibly delicious.

Someone overcomes a crazy path just to prove something to themselves or to tickle the nerves (of themselves and their loved ones). But in the world there is a real road of death, Yungas. People use it only because there is simply no other way.

The myth of the death trail

Many sources claim that the death trail is the only way to the top of Mount Huashan. But that's not true. In fact, there are easier ways to get to the top. 2 cable cars lead respectively to the two peaks of the mountain. And the path of death is just another attraction in the vastness of the Celestial Empire. But the attraction is really dangerous. There is a fee to visit the death trail.

Recently, various safety systems have been introduced, for example, safety ropes.
Be that as it may, the path of death definitely deserves attention, at least for the views that open from it.

Don't forget to visit the legendary Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. It is located about 70 kilometers west of the death trail, near the city of Xi'an

It is in the central part of this country that the mountains sacred to Taoism are located. An excursion to Mount Huashan Death Path will give you unprecedented sensations, because it is the most dangerous walking path in the world.

Mount Huashan

This mountain consists of 5 peaks that form the silhouette of a flower, which is how this place got its name. Huashan is located in the Shaanxi region and is one of the most important mountains for supporters of Taoism.

This mountain attracts not only pilgrims and travelers of Taoism from all over the world, but also attracts many tourists, because it is not easy a nice place. Here, in addition to the beautiful landscapes, many people note the beautiful temples, gates and bridges, ancient monasteries and mysterious caves. All this can be seen by taking a tour of these sacred Taoist places.

You can explore these places either on foot, for which there are several routes, or by cable car, which is easier and safer. But the funicular operates only up to the Northern Peak, therefore, in order to explore all 5 peaks, you will have to do it only on foot.

Adherents of the Taoist culture ascend to the top exclusively on foot. Since climbing is not an easy task, they stay overnight at the top to renew their strength and continue the pilgrimage.

Path of Death

On the way up there are not only paths, but also bridges with steep stairs. What is noteworthy is that there are not only hanging stairs, but also steps carved into the rock. Most often the climbs are steep, so you need to prepare for physical exertion. The shortest route will take at least 5 hours.

You also need to be prepared for the fact that there are some very dangerous paths. To pass them, individual insurance is attached to everyone, because one wrong step can cost your life.

But this path and sensations are worth it; no one can forget such a journey. You simply cannot find a place like this here in China, it is worth the attention of all tourists. Mount Huashan The Path of Death awaits all extreme sports enthusiasts and will amaze you with its incredible landscapes and historical monuments.

For those who are bored with monotonous tourist programs with visits to various monotonous temples and an endless number of museums, there is an excellent alternative for real extreme sports enthusiasts: this is the death trail on Mount Huashan in the city of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.

This trail is located at an altitude of about 2000 meters at sacred mountain Huashan has five petal-shaped peaks, the most high peak– Its southern height is 2154 meters from sea level, the lowest Northern peak is 1614.9 meters high.

How to get to the top

There are two ways to get to the mountain, there are two entrances, one entrance from the West, which is equipped with a cable car and you can only go to the top along it (the cost of a one-way lift costs 140 yuan, which is about $20), the cost of a bus that will take you to it is $3.

Second entrance from the North, there is also cable car, but it costs a little less than 120 yuan in both directions. But there is also walking route with steps carved into the rock and rope bridges. But the path will not be easy and will take you about 6-8 hours to climb.

What is the path of death

At the top there is simply stunning views of the mountains and nature of China.

The trail on Mount Huashan is very popular tourist place both among visitors from other countries and among the Chinese themselves. Therefore, very often there is a decent queue for it, so get ready to stand in it for at least 20-30 minutes. (maybe, of course, you will be lucky and you will pass it, but we were not lucky).

Although the death trail looks scary from the photographs, it is practically safe, since before you start you are given special safety equipment (belts and a cable with a carabiner, the total cost is about 30 yuan - that’s about 4 bucks).

After you receive the ammunition and put your things in the storage room (so as not to accidentally drop them while walking along the trail to the bottom).

You will have to wait a little longer, since the path has only one end and you can return from there only the same way you came, trying to miss the people coming back to meet you.

Only after this can you hit the road. The trail begins with a descent along metal piles driven into stone.

At the bottom you will be met by a Chinese man who will help you fasten the carabiner from one cable to another.

Somewhere in the middle of the path, there is a booth in a hole in the rock where you can take first-class photographs, but if you have a phone with you, you will not need its services; the main thing is not to drop your gadget down. The Chinese say that this happens very often, maybe they do it to sell their photos, but it’s better to be safe.

The route lasts only 15-20 minutes. Climbing to the top you can see a small sacred altar and beautiful landscape opening from Mount Huashan.

Be sure to visit the death trail, get new emotions and enjoy the views of the surrounding nature.

Watch the video

Would you like to taste tea on a mountain 2160 meters high? What about getting an adrenaline rush combined with the constant fear of death? If you agree to this, then you should visit the most dangerous walking trail in the world on Mount Huashan in China, climbing which will take you straight to the tea house.

Since the 2nd century BC, when a Taoist temple was built at the foot, Mount Huashan has been the most important place for Taoists. Since then, monks and pilgrims have lived on and around the mountain. In order to get to one of the five peaks (on one of which the tea house is located), a whole network of very dangerous paths was laid here.

Together these peaks form the petals of the lotus. Due to the recent influx of tourists, the trails have been strengthened. But even despite this, she remains the most dangerous walking trail in the world and has a bad reputation. The “Path of Death” is made of narrow boards that hang over a bottomless abyss, without any railings or fences. Some parts of the trail are terrifying, so it's best to watch where you're going... and it's best not to look down. According to uncertain data, up to 100 people fall from these trails every year.

In some places local residents They also cut out the steps, making a staircase with railings. In other places, the only safety measure is iron chains (previously, locals simply walked on planks). Some daredevils, having taken the first step, become petrified with fear, unable to unclasp their fingers and move, which is not at all surprising.

Despite the fact that the trail is "famous" for its bad reputation, many adventure seekers come here to test themselves.

Many people are not ardent adherents extreme recreation, but there is a fairly decent number of fans of thrills, a chilling sense of danger and If you are one of them, then Mount Huashan in China is what you need. Walking route, known as the death trail, does not require any special technical skills, but extreme caution is required while negotiating the long train of stone steps of the so-called heavenly staircase.

The Cure for Fear

Famous for its majestic rocks(path of death) is China, which is located near the city of Xi'an (Shaanxi province). There are many breathtaking routes on offer, including ziplining, rock climbing and hiking. The climb, which is about 14 kilometers long, is accompanied by a certain amount of risk; in some places there is not even a road, but only steps carved into stone.

Preferable for many tourists is to climb from the foot North Mountain to its top using a funicular. This saves everyone a lot of time and energy. But there is a tourist route transition from north to south, which will make the bravest travelers simply petrify with fear or, conversely, feel a feeling of wild delight.

Path of Death

The number of tourists wishing to visit the death route on Mount Huashan is not decreasing, but, on the contrary, is growing every year. Those who dare to make such an extreme journey overcome a path made of boards built over the abyss and move to the peak of the mountain, holding on well to the attached vertical rocks chains. There are no fences, on one side there is a powerful rock, on the other there is a bottomless abyss and a crazy wind.

Of course, there is still a minimum safety kit there, this is a belt with a small cable and a carabiner. The prize for brave climbers will be not only a wonderful view from the top of Huashan (mountain), but also a whole storm of emotions that does not leave those who managed to overcome the deadly climb alone. Climbing a dangerous path is not a one-way journey, it is a round trip, but the descent is usually a little easier, and sometimes harder, as the accumulated tension and fatigue make themselves known.

How dangerous is climbing Mount Huashan? Climbing there should not be considered as mountaineering, which involves the use of modern equipment, and therefore the definition of mountain tourism is more suitable here. In numerous photographs you can see people in ordinary clothes and without special shoes. They resemble ordinary pedestrians, only very brave ones.

Mountain traditions

There is a big difference between mountaineering and mountain tourism. Climbers have undergone appropriate training, experience and special equipment. They are also quite aware of the risks they are taking. - this is what amateurs usually do, especially since you need to be especially careful and be in good physical shape.

Those who manage to get to the very top usually leave some personal item there. For example, among couples in love it is customary to attach shiny locks and red ribbons, the abundance of which simply makes your eyes wide open. Each of those who conquered the dangerous path joyfully shares a pleasant feeling of satisfaction from the ascent. The famous one flowing far below looks like a thin trickle, and everything seems so tiny. The unforgettable, awe-inspiring view from a great height and the pictures will remind you of a crazy and exciting adventure for a long time.

Mount Huashan in China

This one is huge mountain world resembles a separate reality, its own small world. Huashan (mountain) has five peaks, the highest of which is the South Peak, which reaches 2154 meters. The eastern peak is 2096.2 meters high and is best place to watch the sun rise. The Western Peak has a height of 2082.6 meters, the Central Peak is 2037.8 meters (another name is the Jade Maiden), and the Northern Peak with a height of 1614.9 meters is also called the Terrace Cloud.

In ancient times, Mount Huashan (path of death) was called the most dangerous and steep mountain in all of China. The most famous part of the path is called the Green Dragon's Rib, flanked by two huge chasms. Covering the distance from the village to the top of the mountain takes from 6 to 9 hours, but if you wish, you can stay overnight in the village itself, where there is a small but cozy hotel.

sacred place

In the second century BC, this place was a major religious center, in the heart of which a Taoist temple was built. It is also a center for traditional martial arts. Many emperors came to this sacred place to pray and make sacrifices to the God of Mount Huashan.

They say that Lao Tzu, the founder and patriarch of Taoism, once lived and preached here. Since then, pilgrims, monks and nuns began to gradually populate the mountainous surroundings. Access to five mountain peaks, each of which has important religious significance, is possible thanks to a network of narrow paths built of wood and stone. There is a tea house on one of the three peaks.

Mount Huashan: deaths

IN last years, thanks to the large influx of tourists, the paths have been more or less improved, but still the road to the peaks remains an extremely risky undertaking. Although there are no official mortality statistics, it is said that Huashan (the mountain) steals about 100 human lives every year.

Making their way along the narrow and winding path, tourists risk their lives every time. There is a high probability of receiving various types of injuries during climbing. These steep mountains under the skies are a true natural wonder. The breathtaking, sharp rocks and cliffs present a daunting challenge for those climbers who dare to conquer them. The landscape changes dramatically at every step of this winding path. There is a feeling that the beauty of the mountain has a real magical effect on everyone who visits it.

Even from the photographs taken, you can see how dangerous this route is. On some parts of the journey, it only takes one mistake to cost your life. Despite this, many tourists make an annual pilgrimage to Mount Huashan. The world-famous attraction in China, Huashan - Death Mountain, is not free. Entrance to the mountain costs about $30 dollars ($15 for students).