The top concern for Huashan tourists is the total cost. As the steepest of the Five Great Mountains, it is important to understand the cost structure before climbing. Huashan travel expenses include tickets, cableways, accommodation at the foot and summit, round-trip transportation from Xi’an, on-mountain dining and gear purchase. There are obvious price differences between peak and off-peak seasons, and the two cableways charge differently. Different choices will directly lead to a cost gap. This article lists all expenses item by item, provides reference prices and practical suggestions, and helps tourists make budget arrangements in advance.
Price Differences for Huashan Tickets in Peak and Off-Peak Seasons
Huashan tickets adopt a peak and off-peak system. The off-peak season is from December to the end of February of the next year, and the peak season is from March to the end of November. The full-price ticket is 100 CNY and the half-price ticket is 50 CNY in off-peak season. The full-price ticket is 160 CNY and the half-price ticket is 80 CNY in peak season. During the winter benefit policy period, the 100 CNY off-peak ticket is 20% off to 80 CNY.
Quick Important Information:
- Huashan tickets are valid for 48 hours, and each of the four scenic spots including the main peak area, Yuquan Courtyard, Xianyu Valley and West Yue Temple can be entered once.
- Online reservation is required 3 to 5 days in advance during peak season, and advance reservation is also recommended during off-peak season.
- Group discounts are available for parties of four or more people upon inquiry.
Huashan North Peak
Fares for Huashan’s Two Cableways and Mountain Shuttle Bus Fees
There are West Peak Cableway and North Peak Cableway in Huashan, with different fares and supporting mountain shuttle bus fees.
West Peak Cableway (Longer Route)
It goes from Wengyu to the vicinity of West Peak directly. The one-way fare is 140 CNY in peak season (March to November) and 120 CNY in off-peak season (December to February). The supporting mountain shuttle bus from the Tourist Center to the lower station of West Peak Cableway costs 40 CNY one way and 80 CNY round trip. Operation hours of West Peak Cableway: 7:00 to 19:00 in peak season, 8:00 to 18:00 in off-peak season.
North Peak Cableway (Shorter Route)
It goes from Donggou to North Peak. The one-way fare is 80 CNY and round-trip fare is 150 CNY in peak season. The one-way fare is 45 CNY and round-trip fare is 80 CNY in off-peak season. The supporting mountain shuttle bus costs 20 CNY one way and 40 CNY round trip. The operation hours of North Peak Cableway are basically the same as those of West Peak Cableway.
Important Tips:
- The latest ticket check time for Huashan cableways is earlier than the closing time. Tourists must take the cableway before 16:00 in peak season and also before 16:00 in off-peak season.
- West Peak Cableway may be temporarily suspended in snowy weather, and North Peak Cableway can be chosen instead.
- Cableway tickets are valid for 24 hours, and online purchase in advance is recommended during peak season.
Transportation to Huashan from Surrounding Cities
Huashan is located in Huayin City, Shaanxi Province, about 120 kilometers away from Xi’an.
High-Speed Rail or EMU
From Xi’an North Railway Station to Huashan North Railway Station, the ride takes about half an hour, and the second-class seat costs 54.5 CNY. After arriving at Huashan North Railway Station, you can take free bus No.1 or No.2 to the Tourist Center, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The taxi fare is 10 to 15 CNY.
Ordinary Train
From Xi’an Railway Station to Huashan Railway Station, the ride takes 1.5 to 2 hours, and the hard seat costs 19.5 CNY. Huashan Railway Station is close to the scenic area, and the taxi fare after exiting the station is about 10 CNY.
Self-Driving
From Xi’an, take Lianhuo Expressway and exit at Huayin, the ride takes about 1.5 hours. The daily parking fee at the Tourist Center parking lot is 20 CNY.
Long-Distance Bus
From Xi’an East Bus Station to Huayin, the ride takes about 2 hours, the fare is 40 CNY, and then transfer to a bus to enter the scenic area.
Quick Important Information:
- The operation hours of free buses at Huashan North Railway Station are 7:00 to 19:20. Night climbing tourists need to take a taxi to Yuquan Courtyard, which costs about ten CNY.
- Tourists can take a free special bus from the Tourist Center to Yuquan Courtyard hiking entrance with Huashan tickets.
Transportation to Huashan from Other Regions
Tourists departing from outside China travel to Huashan in two stages.
Stage 1
Fly to Xi’an. Xi’an Xianyang International Airport has direct or connecting flights from many countries. After arriving at the airport, you can take Metro Line 14 to Xi’an North Railway Station, or take an airport bus to downtown Xi’an.
Stage 2
Travel from Xi’an to Huashan. The fastest way is to take a high-speed rail: take the metro from the airport to Xi’an North Railway Station, then transfer to a high-speed rail directly to Huashan North Railway Station, the whole journey takes about one hour and ten minutes. You can also take an ordinary train from Xi’an Railway Station to Huashan Railway Station, the ride takes 2 hours, and the hard seat costs 19.5 CNY.
Document Requirements:
- Tourists departing from other regions need a valid visa to enter China, which should be obtained at the local embassy or consulate before departure.
- Huashan tickets need real-name reservation with a passport. Select “passport”and enter the passport number to complete the reservation. It is recommended to finish the reservation before departure.
Accommodation Costs at the Foot and Summit of Huashan
Accommodation at the Foot of the Mountain
Budget inns near Yuquan Courtyard or the Tourist Center cost about 100 to 200 CNY. Standard rooms of better hotels are 80 to 150 CNY in off-peak season. Prices rise in peak season: ordinary accommodation costs 200 to 400 CNY, and better accommodation costs more than 500 CNY.
Summit Accommodation
East Peak Hotel, West Peak Hotel, North Peak Hotel and Wuyunfeng Hotel provide dorm beds, about 150 to 180 CNY per bed. Rooms have no independent bathrooms and no hot water showers.
Quick Important Information:
- East Peak Hotel is about 5 minutes’ walk from the Sun Viewing Platform, and shared bunk beds in dorms are usually mixed for men and women.
- Summit beds at Huashan are in short supply. Book at least 3 days in advance in off-peak season and 1 to 2 weeks in advance in peak season.
- Night climbing is a choice to save accommodation fees: depart from Yuquan Courtyard at about 10 pm and arrive at East Peak at 4 to 5 am to watch the sunrise.
- Tent camping is allowed for free around the Sun Viewing Platform of East Peak, but all equipment must be carried up the mountain by yourself.
Aerial View of Huashan West Peak
Dining Costs on and off Huashan Mountain
Dining at the Foot of the Mountain
A bowl of noodles at a noodle shop in Huayin urban area costs 10 to 15 CNY, a Chinese hamburger costs 8 to 10 CNY, and fast food at the Tourist Center costs 30 CNY per capita.
On-Mountain Dining
Mineral water rises from 2 CNY at the foot of the mountain to 8 to 10 CNY on the mountain. Instant noodles cost 5 CNY at the foot and 15 to 20 CNY on the mountain. A portion of fried rice or noodles at a summit hotel costs 30 to 40 CNY.
Quick Important Information:
- Hot water at the summit of Huashan is charged by cup in winter, about 10 CNY per cup. It is recommended to bring your own thermos cup.
- Signal and electronic payment at the summit are sometimes unstable. It is recommended to carry about 100 CNY in cash for buying small items or renting safety ropes.
- There are supply points every section along the hiking route up the mountain. Mineral water is 10 CNY for three bottles, which is much cheaper than at the summit. There is no need to carry too much drinking water from the foot of the mountain.
Essential Gear for Climbing Huashan and Purchase Tips
The following gear greatly affects the climbing experience:
- Gloves: White cotton gloves sold at small shops at the foot of the mountain are 2 CNY per pair, essential for climbing iron chains.
- Headlamp or flashlight: Must be carried for night climbing, about 10 to 20 CNY if bought at the foot of the mountain.
- Raincoat: Disposable raincoats are 5 to 10 CNY each, put in a backpack for backup.
- Crampons: Must be used for mountain climbing in winter, about ten to twenty CNY for rent or purchase at the foot of the mountain.
- Military coat: When waiting for sunrise at the summit without thick clothes, you can rent one at a summit hotel, 30 to 50 CNY each, and a deposit is required.
Quick Important Information:
- Three-layered dressing is recommended for winter: inner quick-dry thermal underwear, middle fleece jacket or light down jacket, outer windproof waterproof jacket.
- Trekking poles are not necessities. Huashan has many steps, and some climbers think trekking poles are rather cumbersome.
Luggage Storage: Large luggage can be stored at the Tourist Center, 10 to 20 CNY per day.
Extra Fees for Huashan’s Changkong Plank Road and Harrier Flip
Two special experience projects require extra payment.
Changkong Plank Road
Located on the mountainside on the east side of South Peak, the wooden plank road is about 30 cm wide. Pay 30 CNY at the entrance to rent a safety rope.
Harrier Flip
Located near East Peak, it is an almost vertical downhill route, costing about 30 CNY.
Important Tips:
- The projects may be temporarily closed in windy or rainy weather. Tourists with severe acrophobia or physical discomfort are not recommended to try.
- There are no student or senior discounts for the two projects, and the safety rope rental fee is 30 CNY for all.
- Queuing time may exceed 2 hours in peak season. It is recommended to go as early as possible in the morning. Or go up the mountain in the afternoon to stay overnight, and visit in the early morning of the next day when there are few people.
- Tourists over 50 years old are prohibited from experiencing the Harrier Flip.
Other Practical Tips for Climbing Huashan
- Canglong Ridge of Huashan is the only route from North Peak to other peaks. The narrowest part is only 1 meter wide, with deep valleys on both sides. You must hold the iron chains and pass slowly.
- The temperature at the summit of Huashan is about 10 degrees Celsius lower than that at the foot. You need to wear a jacket or light down jacket even to watch the sunrise in summer, and it may drop below zero in winter.
- There are few toilets on Huashan, and the sanitary conditions get worse with higher altitude. Use the toilet at the Tourist Center before entering the mountain, and use the toilet at the rest stop when you encounter it on the way.
Quick Important Information:
- Tourists can take free special buses from the Tourist Center to Yuquan Courtyard, West Yue Temple and other scenic spots with Huashan tickets.
- West Peak Cableway may undergo regular maintenance and be suspended for about one month every winter. Please check the official announcement to confirm the operation status of the cableway before traveling.
Cost Comparison of Different Huashan Climbing Modes
The following costs are calculated for a single adult in peak season, excluding round-trip transportation to and from Xi’an:
Budget Night Climbing (No Summit Stay, No Cableway)
Ticket 160 CNY, self-provided dining 20 CNY, gear 15 CNY (gloves and headlamp), total about 195 CNY. Dining and transportation at the foot of the mountain are calculated separately. Suitable for tourists with good physical strength, cost-effective but demanding on knees and sleep.
Effortless Full Cableway Trip (Round Trip on West Peak Cableway)
Round-trip West Peak Cableway 280 CNY, round-trip mountain shuttle bus 80 CNY, ticket 160 CNY, total about 520 CNY. Suitable for tourists with the elderly, children or tight schedule.
Classic West Up North Down Route (One Night Summit Stay)
One-way West Peak Cableway 140 CNY, West Peak mountain shuttle bus 40 CNY, one-way North Peak Cableway 80 CNY, North Peak mountain shuttle bus 20 CNY, summit bed 180 CNY, ticket 160 CNY, self-provided dining 50 CNY, total about 670 CNY. Adopted by most tourists.
Quick Important Information:
- Night climbing can only start and end at Yuquan Courtyard (the Only Road up Huashan since Ancient Times), and cableways are not in operation at night.
- The round-trip North Peak Cableway only costs 80 CNY in winter off-peak season, 70 CNY cheaper than peak season, the most cost-effective period of the year.
- Seniors over 65 years old enjoy half-price tickets. Plus West Peak mountain shuttle bus, one-way West Peak Cableway, one-way North Peak Cableway and North Peak mountain shuttle bus, the total cost is about 180 CNY, saving about 260 CNY compared with the original adult price.
Pre-Departure Preparations and Cost Explanations
The total cost of a Huashan trip mainly depends on the round-trip transportation mode, cableway type and whether staying overnight on the mountain. Ticket and dining prices are fixed, gear expenses are low, and cableways and summit accommodation are the main parts that widen the budget gap. Tourists with good physical strength can control the total cost within 200 CNY by choosing night climbing; tourists pursuing comfort and effortlessness can take the cableway up and down for about 520 CNY; the most popular scheme for most tourists, climbing up from the west and down from the north with one night’s stay, costs about 670 CNY in total. Advance reservation is the key to ensuring a smooth trip. Cableway tickets and summit beds are in short supply during peak season, and temporary decisions often require higher fees or even failed entry. Basic gear such as gloves, headlamps and raincoats cannot be omitted, and crampons are needed in winter. The temperature at the summit is low, so carrying enough warm clothes is more important than any other preparation. Safety always takes priority over cost saving. Take a rest in time or give up climbing when you feel exhausted. With a clear understanding of the above cost structure and all necessary gear prepared, the sunrise and sea of clouds at Huashan are definitely worth visiting in person.
