Huashan Mountain, one of China’s Five Great Mountains, is an iconic destination that attracts travelers with its dramatic cliffs, breathtaking views, and challenging hikes. While it’s a popular spot year-round, visiting in winter offers a unique experience with fewer crowds and stunning snowy landscapes. If you’re planning a winter day trip to Huashan, you might be wondering about the best way to get there, what to bring, and how to make the most of your visit. In this guide, I’ll share my personal experience and offer practical tips on everything from transportation and ticketing to hiking routes and what to pack for your winter adventure.
1. Getting to Huashan Mountain
My trip began at 7:30 AM when I hopped on the subway at the Xi’an Bell Tower Metro Station (钟楼地铁站). I took Line 2 and got off at “Xi’an North” Station (西安北站)， as all the high-speed trains to Huashan depart from there. Although Xi’an Station also has high-speed trains, they take about 1.5 hours, while the ones from Xi’an North take just 30 minutes. During the off-season, you can easily buy tickets upon arrival at the station, as trains depart frequently—about every 10 minutes. Initially, I had a 9 AM ticket, but since I arrived early at 8:30 AM, I quickly rebooked for an earlier train.
2. Arriving at Huashan North Station
Once I arrived at Huashan North (华山北站), I was surrounded by numerous street vendors. They sell items like “ice claws” for 10 RMB and “gloves” for 2 RMB. I highly recommend buying both of these essentials in winter before you enter the park, as prices inside the park are significantly higher. On the mountain, the same ice claws can cost up to 30 RMB. The ice claws are a must for hiking in the winter, and the gloves will protect your hands from the rusted metal railings you’ll need to grip. If you’re taking a cable car to the mountain, you can either take a taxi to the “Huashan Tourist Center (华山游客中心)” or opt for a shared ride, which costs about 10 RMB per person. A ride from a ride-hailing app like DiDi is about 15 RMB.
3. Ticket Information
I purchased a North Peak entrance ticket, which includes the cable car and shuttle bus tickets for 260 RMB per adult. You can find these tickets on WeChat’s mini-programs. However, what surprised me was that the ticket only covers the cable car and shuttle bus going up. You will need to buy additional tickets for the cable car and bus going down. The cable car is 80 RMB per person, and the shuttle bus ticket to exit the park is 20 RMB. It takes about 30 minutes by bus to reach the cable car station after entering the park.
4. Hiking Up the Mountain
After purchasing my ticket, I made my way up the mountain, adjusting my pace according to my stamina. The mountain has plenty of restrooms, which is a relief. I recommend bringing your own food—self-heating hotpots are perfect for a quick, warm meal on the trail. If you don’t bring your own snacks, you can buy instant noodles on the mountain for around 15 to 20 RMB per serving.
5. Best Routes for Winter Hiking
If you’re visiting in December, I suggest taking the “North Peak to West Peak” route or the “West Peak to West Peak” route, as the views from the west side are especially beautiful in winter. These routes are quite scenic, and you’ll get to experience the mountain’s unique features without having to deal with the crowds.
6. Avoiding Pitfalls
When you leave the park, you’ll pass through a long commercial street where you can shop for souvenirs. Be cautious about the so-called “free gifts” that vendors offer. They’ll take your photo and turn it into a keychain, but the high-quality version of the photo costs 30 RMB, so be prepared for that little surprise.
7. What to Wear in Winter
Since Huashan can get quite cold in winter, especially when hiking, I recommend wearing warm clothes. I dressed in a wool moisture-wicking layer, a lightweight down jacket, and a pair of cotton pants. It’s important to wear quick-drying clothes, add a thermal liner underneath if needed, and pack a warm hat and windproof jacket. The weather on my visit ranged from -1°C to 8°C, so I made sure to stay comfortable and warm.
8. Cable Cars and Shuttle Buses
Once I finished hiking, I took the cable car down the mountain, but the journey didn’t end there. After getting off the cable car, I had to take a shuttle bus to the “Huashan Tourist Center.” The shuttle bus costs 20 RMB per person and the ride lasts about 15 minutes.
9. Getting Back to Xi’an
Once I reached the Tourist Center, I took a taxi back to the high-speed train station “Huashan North,” which costs about 10 to 15 RMB and takes about 12 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Huayin 608 bus for a more affordable option. However, if you’re heading down to Yunqueyuan, it’s better to take a taxi, as it costs a bit more but only takes 15 minutes. The bus ride to Yunqueyuan can take up to an hour, and I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have time to spare.
10. Return Train to Xi’an
There are plenty of high-speed trains from Huashan North to Xi’an North. The last train departs at 10:26 PM, so you don’t have to rush to catch your return train.