I, Grace, climbed Mount Hua with my roommates in September of 2009 when I was in the fourth year of university. I want to share what I have experienced with you here.
We decided to climb the mountain at weekends. Because we lived and studied in Xian, we took train to Hua County after discussion. All of us were very interested in watching the sunrise so we climbed the mountain at night.
In September, it was not very hot but we heard that it was cold on the top of the mountain so that everyone of us took a winter coat. We also can rent a cotton coat on the mountain but the coat had been worn by many persons and cost some money. We arrived at the train station in Hua County at about 8pm and then took mini-bus which was driven by local people for earning money. But the driver was skillful so that we didn’t worry. After getting to the foot of the mountain, we found a restaurant to have supper. There are many small restaurants at the foot of mountain but the food is tasty. After dinner, we began to buy some bottles of water and some snacks. But I regretted buying snacks. During the climbing, what one need most is water not food.
At about 23:00, we started our journey. There were many tourists climbing the mountain for watching sunrise. The Mount Hua is very steep and I began to be very tired after about half an hour. My roommates seemed very strong and went on moving and encouraged me. But I known that the hardest road was waiting for me. Gradually, we arrived at the South Peak the lowest one in Mount Hua. Some road was erected and there were iron chains helping tourists to climb. On the mountain, you can see the constellation clearly. When I was in high school, I was very interested in astronomy and learn some knowledge about constellation and had once tried to watch the constellation but did not find the constellation introduced in the book. But on the top of the mountain, I watched all the constellation I had learned in the book.
Climbing about 7 hours, we finally got to East Peak which was said to be the best site to watch sunrise. The process of sunrise was really splendid and magnificent. Many tourist shot the process of the sunrise. But unfortunately, we forgot taking a camera. But that charming moment is kept in my mind. After watching the sunrise, we began to visit other attractions and peaks and went downhill at 10am. As for attractions on the mountain, I will not give detailed information which you can get from internet.
Although three years goes by, I remember every detail of climbing mountain. But my English is so limited, I cannot give you an attractive description in exquisite language.
The following tips is summarized through my experience:
1. The best time to visit Mount Hua is autumn or the end of summer.
2. Don’t buy much snacks but take enough water. Before climbing, you had better have a big dinner. The food you have eaten will be consumed during climbing so that you don’t need to worry where the toilet is. But if you need, there are some public toilet on the mountain.
3.Don’t take many stuffs just water and your camera and some other you think must be taken
4.If you don’t mind, you can rent coat on the top of mountain. During the mountain, you will be very tired., even a straw you take will be your burden.
5. Have a good rest before your climbing. Wear comfortable sneaker.
Note: the photos is from my friend who visited Mount Hua recently.