With the Yellow River to the north and Qinling Mountain Range at
the back to the south, Mount Hua stands in the south of Huayin
county, 120 kilometers east of Xi'an, with an altitude of 2,200
meters. It is always known for its precipitouaness.There are five peaks of Mount Hua : the Morning Sun peak, the lotus Flower peak, the Jade Lady peak, the Wild Goose-resting peak and the Cloudy Terrace peak. From a distance, these five peaks look like a lotus flower among the mountains, hence the name of Mount Hua (Hua means flower in Chinese).
As the saying gose "There has been only one path up Mount Hua since ancient times,"this road runs for some 20 kilometers, around five prominent peaks. This trail passes a number of perilous places : the thousand-foot precipice, the Hundred-foot Crevice, Laojun's Furrow (Lao jun, the patriarch of Taoism.), the Heavenward Ladder and the Blue Dragon Ridge. The cliffside path and the Sparrow Hawk's Cliff are a lot more dangerous. Upon reaching the top, visitors can enjoy the awesome
grandeur of these peaks. The peaks
are peculiar, the cliffs are steep, and the path is difficult and
dangerous. All are so extraordinary as if they were created by
spirits. The sights and situations make climbers tremble with fear,
but gasp in admiration, too. The ancient buildings are one of the
main attractions.the peaks and valleys are dotted with temples and
pavilions,which are constantly clad in mist. Climbers feel as if
they were making a tour of fairy land. Yuquan Garden
Yuquan Garden (Jade Spring Garden) is located at the entrance of the valley on the hillside north of Mount Hua. It is the starting point to go to the top. Inside the garden there is a cool, aweet spring; hence its name "Jade Spring Garden."
The North peak
The North Peak is also called the Cloudy Terrace Peak. As you continue your way from Qingke Terrace, you will soon pass a huge rock named "Turn Back ", and you will find yourself at the bottom of the Thousand-foot Precipice.
The Canglong Ridge
The Canglong (Blue Drgon) Ridge was also known as Ni Ridge or Jia Ridge in ancient times. It is 1,500 meters long and only one meter wide. This ridge winds up and down irregularly with its central part protruding into the air looks rather like the backbone of a carp.
The Central Peak The Central peak is called the Jade Lady peak. Legend has it that Nong Yu, the daughter of King Mu of the Spring and Autumn Period, was so moved by the music which Xiao Shi, a hermit, played on a vertical bamboo flute, that she gave up living a happy and luxurious palace life, and together with Xiao Shi, flew here on the backs of a dragon and a phoneix and lived in seclusion. The Jady's Cave, the wash Basin, the Stone Dressing Table and the Phoenix Pavilion are what we can aee there today.
