Located in the Shaanxi Province of China is the lovely Hua Shan City, also known as Huayin. Although it is almost 120Kms from Xi’an, the provincial capital, it is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to Hua Shan (Mount Hua) Scenic Area. The region has a splendid landscape of tall peaks, dense forests, narrow and steep natural trails and trekking paths, crags, cliffs, and valleys. Mount Hua actually consists of five peaks, each having its own scenic vista that attracts tourists. Built during the reign of the Northern Song Dynasty, the Jade Spring Temple is a relic of the past that functions as a Taoist temple even today. The temple was actually constructed in honor of Chen Tuan, a respected scholar of the time. The followed religious ideologies that were a pleasant combination of Taoism, Buddhism, Quietism, and Confucianism and established a neo-Confucianism school of thought. There are several other ancient relics around the city that have become part of the regular tourist circuit.
As far as modern pursuits in Hua Shan City are concerned, hiking and trekking are the most popular activities that tourists like to indulge in besides just sightseeing. Mount Hua has several dangerous and very dangerous paths along the precipitous peaks that serious hikers love to ascend as a challenge. The most perilous ones are the Thousand Food Precipice, Sparrow Flipping-Over Plank Road, and the Hundred Food Precipice. Hikers have to obtain passes to attempt these planks.
Note: It is best to avoid Chinese holidays because the paths can be crowded and accidents can occur. Also, it is advisable to carry a flashlight and a walking stick.
| Rank | Booking Site | Price Compared to Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cheapest | Trip.com | -9% | |
| 2. Cheap | Agoda | -7% | |
| 3. Average | Booking.com | -2% | |
| 4. More Expensive | Expedia | 4% | |
| 5. Most Expensive | Hotels.com | 8% |
Huangshi National Mine Park – This is a 4A national scenic spot which is located on the Tai Mountain. It is the first national mine park of China. Mining is still carried out underground but on the surface, it has been converted into a tourist attraction. Large mining equipment is laid out in a nice arrangement. The mining shafts look like layers similar to the seating in amphitheaters. A gigantic statue of Mao Tse Tung takes center-stage in the spectacular scenery.
Xisai Mountain Scenic Area – In ancient times, Xisai Mountain was a battlefield where more than a hundred battles were fought. So there are many ancient relics that showcase the history of Huangshi City and its people. The scenery is fascinating and adds to the appeal of the mountain as a tourist attraction. Taohua Gudong (Peach blossom Ancient Cave), Longku Temple, and Beiwang Pavilion are some of the highlights of this scenic area.
Cihu Lake – Spread over a large area of 3.9 square kilometers, the Cihu Lake is even larger than the famous West Lake of China. The term “ci” means magnet. The lake gets its name because magnetic materials have been found in abundance around the lake. The crystal clear waters of the lake are teeming with fishes of different varieties. There are a charming landscaped garden and a stele forest which has inscriptions by famous writers both from China and abroad. Small islets are dotted all over the lake and they are covered with beautiful greenery. Some of the best tourist spots in the scenic area are the Yiqu Garden, Chengyue Islet, Yequ Garden, and Hangzhou Road.
Other notable tourist attractions in and around Huangshi City are the Stone Head of Dragon Relics (Paleolithic site), Dong Fang Shan Buddhist temple, Xisaishan, Qingshanhu, Tuan Cheng Shan Park, etc.