That’s Strange – How Far Would You Travel To Get…

A cup of tea?

Let me guess - Darjeeling, Assam, Munnar or maybe even China. However, buying tea is still easier. Simply, go to a local market at any of these places, look for your favourite tea, buy a pack of tea leaves and come back home. But, at Mount Huashan, you got to earn your cup of tea. Literally!

Imagine climbing approximately 7,087 feet (without any harness or support) only to find a tiny teahouse where all you can do is sip a cup of tea? Isn’t that strange? I mean, seldom, would you relate an experience that is as calming as drinking tea to be associated with adventure. Now, something feels odd here, doesn’t it?

Level 1: A Staircase To Heaven

About 75 miles away from the Xi’an city located in the Shaanxi province of China, Mount Huashan trail is touted to be one of the world’s most dangerous trails. The first level of the hike begins with what is called ‘Heavenly Stairs’- a set of stairs carved in a mountain. Standing at the base, all you can see are endless steps going all the way to the sky. Constructed in a straight line, the hike is as tiring as rock climbing. And if you encounter ice on your path, beware, you might just slip.

 

But hang on, this is just one part. The most unnerving part of this expedition is yet to unfold…

Level 2: Gondola Gears You For The Toughest Part

If you manage to climb all the stairs and reach till the last step, you would see a Gondola cable car which will further take you to the southern peak. En route you can see ‘Soldier’s Trail’ that is majorly covered in snow and capture some breath-taking views of the mountain. I suggest you click these views now for you never know whether you would be able to capture them in the later part of the journey or not. However, this Gondola ride only lasts for a short time before you reach the next level where another rocky path awaits you.

 

 Level 3: Look Down At Your Own Risk

Marked by sleek wooden planks on a granite cliff where no two people can walk together, an iron chain is the only thing that lets you hold onto this huge cliff and traverse through it.

 

Look down at the risk of being hit by serious vertigo! The sight from this cliff appears more scary than stunning. The higher you go, the worse it is. And it’s not just the path but even the changing weather conditions and the sudden drop in temperature that can make your journey fatal.

 

 Level 4: Tea, finally!

Once you reach the tip of the southern peak, you would see a teahouse which was once a Taoist temple. I must agree that after reaching here, a cup of tea is truly earned. And once you’ve had your tea, brace yourself for the journey back... phew!

 

At Mount Huashan, chances of falling are more than that of making it to the top. Locals say that as many as 100 people fall from this mountain every year. What is completely bizarre is the fact that despite such dangerous warnings, the thought of undertaking this near-death experience does not deter tourists who come here. Now, whether it is the sheer thrill of completing the hike or the joy of drinking tea atop this mountain, explorers and travellers are always game to embark on this tumultuous hike.