Chinese Via Ferrata in Chang Kong - The Oldest Cliff Walk in China
The inherent danger of many of the exposed, narrow pathways with precipitous drops gave the mountain a deserved reputation for danger. As tourism has boomed and the mountain's accessibility vastly improved with the installation of the cable car in the 1990s, visitor numbers surged. Most of them wants to try to climb the steepest walls at their own risk. Consisting of wooden boards just about 50 cm wide, the path was nailed together more than 700 years ago by hermits seeking “immortals” they believed were living deep in the mountains. Many of the rotten boards are in a very poor condition and the flimsiest ways are therefore being closed for safety reasons.
How to reach Chang Kong Cliff Route
The area can be reached by air flight to Xi'an continued by a 2 hour bus or car drive east of the city (G30 road), through the towns of Weinan and Huayin. From Huayin you can take a taxi or can walk of some 6 km to the Hua Shan mountain.
Text: Woo Liang Photos: HAP Quirky China News, Wikipedia Video: Youtube