How to get to Huashan from Xi’an

Famously known as the mountain with one of the world’s “Most Dangerous Hiking Trail”, Huashan (华山, Mount Hua) is one of the Five Great Mountains of China. It is located in Shaanxi Province (陕西省) in central China. Other than being the most precipitous of the Five Great Mountains, Huashan is also an important site for Taoism. Thus, it comes as no surprise that Huashan is extremely popular with both local and foreign tourist. Here, we’ll share with you how to get to Huashan from Xi’an (西安), its nearest major city.

Note: Visited March-2018. All information herein is accurate as of March-2018.

See also:

Huashan Travel Guide

Xi’an Attractions (Shaanxi, China)

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How to get to Huashan from Xi’an

Huashan is approximately 120km east of Xi’an. As such, most travellers to Huashan base themselves in Xi’an and undertake a trip from there.

Ways of getting to Huashan from Xi’an

There are a number of ways one could get from Xi’an to Huashan. Broadly speaking, it involves one of the three below.

#1: Renting a private vehicle (with driver)*

In terms of duration, ease and convenience, engaging the services of a car with driver is clearly the best option. However, this obviously comes at a premium. If you’re really uncomfortable with planning your own journey or have plenty of cash to spare, then this option is good.

For those whom are more adventurous and on a budget, making your own way to Huashan is seriously manageable and could save you a good sum of money. However, this is assuming you’re able to understand basic Chinese. If not, then getting a car with driver would probably be playing it safe.

*Note: In most cases, foreigners will find it almost impossible to self-drive in China due to the Chinese driving license restrictions. Refer to our other blog on how foreigners can get a driving license in China.

#2: Taking a tourist bus (long distance bus)

There are regular tourist buses departing from Xi’an Railway Station**, bounded for Huashan’s Visitor Centre.

The bus ticket cost RMB 35 to 40 (per pax/way). And the bus journey takes 1.5 to 2 hours.

However, having experienced Chinese tourist buses on a number of occasions, we’re not hopeful of a clean or comfortable ride. So unless you’re staying near Xi’an Railway Station, we’ll suggest taking the high-speed rail (see next section), which is faster and definitely a more comfortable ride.

**Note: Xi’an Railway Station is the regular train station in Xi’an, just outside the northern ancient city wall. It is different from Xi’an North Station, which service high-speed trains.

#3: Taking a high-speed train (CRH)

In recent years, the Chinese government has been aggressively expanding its rail services, especially its high-speed rail network. With China Railway High-speed (CRH,中国高速铁路) being the high-speed rail arm of its state-owned China Railway (中国铁路).

Previously, normal trains serviced the Xi’an-Huashan line. However, since end-2017, high-speed trains were employed to serve the line. The high-speed trains depart from Xi’an North Station and links to Huashan North Station. With Xi’an North Station and Huashan North Station both being purpose-built high-speed rail stations, serving only CRH lines. Thus, do not confuse these CRH stations with the average China Railway stations serving regular trains.

Note:

China Railway website (for both regular and CRH services) (Chinese)
Ticketing and Train Schedule (for both regular and CRH services) (Chinese)
Tickets can be bought online. However, passengers still need to go to any China Railway station ticket office to validate his/her ID (e.g. passport) in person and collect the physical ticket.

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CRH from Xi’an North Station to Huashan North Station

Overview

Getting to Xi’an North Station is extremely easy as it’s integrated with Xi’an city’s Metro service. The subsequent CRH journey from Xi’an North to Huashan North Station takes about 30 minutes and cost around RMB 55 per pax/way (Second Class seat; sitting is allocated). Frequency is high, between 1-3 services every hour (see: CRH schedule). And once you’ve reached Huashan North Station, Huashan Visitor Centre is merely a short bus/taxi ride away.

Review

Being relatively new, the CRH trains are clean and in good condition. Plus the ride is comfortable, much like the high-speed JR trains in Japan. Thus, it is easy to understand why we recommend using the CRH to commute between Xi’an and Huashan. It is fast, comfortable and reasonably priced.

The only slight setback is that you’ll need to purchase the CRH tickets at the station at least 30 minutes prior to train departure. And note that the ticket office queues can be long especially during morning rush hour. The good news is that due to the high train frequency, you probably do not need to pre-book your tickets (except during Chinese holidays).

As a tip, we recommend that you also purchase the return ticket (scheduled for the evening) while you’re getting the tickets for your outbound trip in the morning. This gives you a peace of mind for the return trip. And in the case if you end your Huashan day trip earlier, simply head to the ticket office and see if they could change your ticket to an earlier train (free of charge).

Interior of China Railway High-speed (CRH) Train

Get to Huashan from Xi’an via high-speed rail

Below are the detailed steps on how to get to Huashan from Xi’an via high-speed rail (CRH).

Step#1: Use Xi’an Metro Line 2 to get to Beikezhan (北客站)

Beikezhan (北客站) is the northern terminal station of Xi’an Metro’s Line 2. This metro line (#2) cuts thru the heart of Xi’an ancient city, thus, making it convenient for those staying within the ancient city to access it. The metro takes around 30 minutes to get from Xi’an ancient city to Beikezhan.

Once at Beikezhan (underground station), the CRH station of Xi’an North is located directly above it.

Step#2: Purchase CRH ticket at Xi’an North Station’s ticket office

The CRH ticket office is located on the same level as the exit turnstiles of Beikezhan metro station. There is a huge LED information board above the ticket office window showing the scheduled CRH trains. Opening hours of the ticket office is 8.30am to 6pm. And note that you do need official photo IDs (e.g. original passport) to purchase tickets.

Xi’an North Station Ticket Office (360 photo)

With China Railway High-speed (CRH) Ticket. Notice the gate number (A12) on top right corner.

Step#3: Go to the departure hall to wait for your train

After getting your tickets, use the escalator to get one level up to the ground level. The CRH entrance turnstiles are located on ground level.

Note: The automated CRH entrance turnstiles require passengers to scan their Chinese ID and CRH ticket. However for foreigners, it is not possible to scan their passports at the turnstiles. As such, foreigners need to approach any CRH staffs manning the turnstiles to validate their ticket and passport.

After passing thru the turnstiles, all passengers have to go thru the standard security screening and have their bags/luggage scanned by an X-ray machine. (Caution: Ensure that you keep an eye on your belongings at all times.)

Once done with the security screening, head for the escalator and get one level up to the main departure hall. At the departure hall, located your train’s gate number via the giant information boards in the hall. Proceed to your gate to wait for the train. Boarding will be 5-10 minutes prior to departure.

Note: In cases where your train’s gate number is confirmed at the time of ticket purchase, the gate number will be reflected at the upper right corner of your ticket.

The CRH stations of major cities (like Xi’an) tend to be huge. These stations usually have a good range of shops and food outlets within the departure hall. As such, you could easily grab some food/drinks for your journey before departure.

Xi’an North Station Departure Hall (360 photo)

Information board in departure hall of Xi’an North Station

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Step#4: Arriving at Huashan North Station

After arriving at Huashan North Station, exit the station. At this point, you should be on the main square in front of Huashan North Station. You’ll also realize that many taxi touts are starting to peddle their rides (to Huashan Visitor Centre) to you. Politely reject them for now.

In the middle of the square, there is a small “tourist service centre”. You can’t miss it; it is the only structure in the middle of the square. To the average tourist, the “tourist service centre” appears to be an official information centre for Huashan. And visitors are able to buy Huashan tickets here.

However, as we found out from locals, the “tourist service centre” is actually a 3rd-party travel agent. Though they appear to sell tickets at the same price as Huashan’s visitor centre, it’s advisable to buy your tickets directly from the visitor centre. Moreover, the travel agent does not have access to the full range of Huashan tickets, e.g. children tickets. Thus, you’re better off getting your tickets directly from the visitor centre.

A 3rd-party travel agent office outside Huashan North Station (360 photo)

Step#5: Getting to Huashan Visitor Centre

From the square in front of Huashan North Station, walk towards the main road in front of the square. Huashan Visitor Centre is 5km away from here. There are 2 methods to get to the visitor centre. See below.

Note: The Google map location of Huashan Visitor Centre is wrong. The actual location is here (map).

Method#1: Free city bus

There are regular free city buses departing from Huashan North Station to Huashan Visitor Centre. These buses depart from the bus stop (map) along the main road in front of the square.

The buses depart approximately every 20 minutes. And although the journey to Huashan Visitor Centre is only 5km, the buses might take up to 20-30 minutes to reach it. This is because the buses have to serve all city bus stops along the way.

The drop off point (map) for the city bus is at the roundabout in front of Huashan Visitor Centre.

Method#2: Taxi

If you’re tight on time, you could opt to take the 10 minutes taxi ride to Huashan Visitor Centre instead. The average price for the ride is RMB 20 per taxi and it could typically sit up to 4 pax. As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of taxi drivers touting their ride on the square and near the main road. You could approach them for arranging a ride.

Similar to the city bus, the taxi will drop you off near the roundabout in front of Huashan Visitor Centre.

Note: Be cautious of drivers whom are looking to rip you off. The price of RMB 20 is per taxi, NOT per pax. And you are NOT required to share the taxi with others. There are also NO other special charges. Ignore anyone whom might tell you otherwise. The price is also same for both directions (i.e. your return trip from visitor centre to train station). On our return trip, a driver was trying to cheat us by quoting RMB 30, and then claiming that the RMB 20 price was only for shared taxi.

Arriving at Huashan Visitor Centre

Once you’re at the roundabout, simply make the 2-minute walk to the visitor centre (ticket hall). Visitors will purchase their tickets at the visitor centre and then proceed to the back of the visitor centre to board the relevant park buses to their respective cable car stations. Learn more about the details in our next Huashan blog.

Huashan viewed from North Peak (360 photo)

Huashan North Peak (360 photo)

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