Mount Hua (Huashan)

Mount Hua is one of China's Five Sacred Mountains (五岳) and the Western Sacred Peak. 120 km east of Xi'an (high-speed rail 35 min, ¥55). Five peaks at the top — North Peak (1614m, the entrance peak), South Peak (2154m, the highest), East Peak (sunrise), West Peak (sunset, the famous Lotus Flower Peak), Center Peak. The legendary 'Plank Walk in the Sky' (¥30 + ¥30 deposit) — narrow wooden planks bolted to the South Peak cliff face with a 2000m drop — is the world's most dangerous hike (you wear a safety harness). Entry 180 RMB + cable car (varies). Best 2-day plan: cable car up day 1, sunrise from East Peak day 2. Single-day: 3-5 hours total via cable car + walking. Skip in winter (icy planks) and avoid weekends (3-hour queues for cable cars).