National park · China
Huashan National Park华山
Enter Huashan National Park for ¥115 (CNY) per adult, take the cable car (¥80 one‑way, ¥150 return) to the North Peak and hike the North‑East‑South‑West circuit in 7–10 h; avoid July–August heat and crowds, aim for April–May or September–October.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
approximate
Established
1996
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
- Approximate; the park covers the main Huashan massif and surrounding slopes.
- Established
- 1996
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Huashan National Park protects the five peaks of Mount Hua, one of China's Five Great Mountains and a sacred Taoist site. The park is known for its steep cliffside trails, including the famous Vast Sky Plank Walk, and draws hikers who want a full-day circuit from the North Peak to the South, East and West peaks. The park is managed by the Shaanxi provincial forest administration and sits near the city of Huayin, about 120 km east of Xi'an.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteManaged by Shaanxi provincial forest administration.
Size and age
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²) · national park since 1996
Approximate; the park covers the main Huashan massif and surrounding slopes.
Why go
- Climb one of China’s Five Great Mountains with iconic narrow plank walks.
- Reach five distinct peaks (North, East, South, West, Central) in a single day.
- Ride a cable car to the North Peak for a quick start or hike the historic Soldier’s Way.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JunHeat, occasional rain.
- JulHigh heat, crowds.
- AugHeat, possible thunderstorms.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaanxi pheasant, golden eagleMar–Jun, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Macaques near East GateAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Xi'an
High‑speed train to Huashan North Railway Station (≈35 min, ¥35‑¥55) then taxi ¥10 (≈ US$2) to East Gate.
1 h
Open the page →
From Xi'an
Conventional train to Hua Shan Railway Station (≈1.5 h, ¥18‑¥20) then taxi ¥10 (≈ US$2) to East Gate.
2 h
Open the page →
From Xi'an
Direct bus (≈2 h, ¥33 one‑way) to Huashan village, then taxi ¥10 (≈ US$2) to East Gate.
2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| East Gate | Ticket office, cable car base, start of North Peak routes. | Open daily; ticket purchase required. |
| North Peak area | Cable car station, Soldier’s Way, shops. | Cable car or hike. |
| Central‑South‑West ridge | Heavenly Steps, Gold Lock Pass, East, South, West peaks. | Hike; some sections require safety harness. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are from official park maps; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (East Gate ticket office) | CNY 115 (≈ US$17) | person | Standard adult price, check for discounts. |
| Cable car (North Peak) | CNY 80–150 (≈ US$12–25) | person | ¥80 one‑way, ¥150 return. |
| Safety harness rental | CNY 30 (≈ US$5) | person | Required for the Vast Sky Plank Walk. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Cable car no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥115≈ US$17
- CN¥80–150≈ US$12–25
- CN¥30≈ US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without official permission.check
- Safety harness
- Required for the Vast Sky Plank Walk.
- Camping
- Not allowed in the park; stay in village guesthouses.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking facilities.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
Near the park
Huashan village guesthouses
Simple rooms, 4–10‑person dorms, ¥60–120 per night.
Near the park
Huashan Baolianshe Youth Hostel
6‑bed dorm ¥55, private rooms ¥125.
Safety
Steep, narrow steps medium
Altitude & cold at night low
Getting lost on night climbs high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- East Gate and cable car station reachable by car or taxi.
- Most trails involve steep stairs; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Rent safety gear locally instead of bringing your own.
- Buy food and water from village vendors to support the local economy.
- Avoid unofficial guide scams; use official ticket office.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Huashan National Park?
Adult entry is ¥115 (CNY) at the East Gate ticket office; children under 1.2 m are free.
What are the best hikes in Huashan National Park?
Popular routes: North Peak via cable car, the North‑East‑South‑West circuit (7–10 h), and the Vast Sky Plank Walk (requires a safety harness).
When is the best time to visit Huashan National Park?
April–May and September–October offer mild weather and fewer crowds; avoid July–August heat.
Do I need a guide for any of the trails?
A guide is not required for the main circuit, but the Vast Sky Plank Walk requires a rented safety harness and is optional.
Can I camp on the mountain?
Camping is prohibited; stay in guesthouses in Huashan village or nearby towns.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Huashan National Park
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