The natural wonders you need to see in Xi’an

Xi’an, Shaanxi province. The birthplace of Chinese civilisation, one of the great ancient civilisations of the world. It’s most famous for Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s thousands of terracotta warriors, each with their own unique faces. Xi’an is also where the Silk Road begins. Formerly, the city and its surrounding areas have served as capital to ten different Imperial dynasties and were an incredibly important market and trade centre.

As one of the most popular destinations for tourists in China and often found on pre-planned tours, it holds its place as a historical and cultural haven. But what about its natural wonders? 

Here are the top natural wonders you need to see:

1. Mount Huashan

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Approximately a 2-hour drive from Xi’an, this spectacular mountain has five peaks in total - east, west, south, north, and central, of which the highest peak is the South Peak at 2,154.9 metres. It is famous for its steep and narrow paths, precipitous crags and high mountain range.

Huashan is regarded as one of the most sacred Taoist mountains in China and is believed to have spirits as well as a god living on the mountain. There are many small Taoist shrines and temples situated along its paths, from the foothills to the peaks.

Image credits: chensiyuan from creativecommons.org

Image credits: dayu490301 from creativecommons.org

Image credits: Ondřej Žváček from creativecommons.org

Hiking is popular with locals and tourists, although the climb to the North Peak is considered the most dangerous in the world. Stone steps have been carved into the mountain and ascend ladder-like with nothing but chains on either side as the only safety precaution. Hikers have to brave narrow cliffside passages with names like Thousand-Foot Precipice, and Hundred-Foot Crevice with nothing but a wooden plank and rope outcropped onto the cliff face to keep from a mile-high drop-off. 

A particularly well-known spot, the Immortal’s Palm Peak on the East Peak refers to the natural rock veins of the cliff which look just like a giant palm-print. 

If hiking isn’t your thing, it’s also possible to visit the mountains by cable car. Visitors can take a cable car directly to the North Peak or to the West Peak. Both lines are separate and start at different points. 

2. Hukou Waterfall

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Located at the intersection of Shaanxi and Shanxi Provinces approximately 4 hours from Xi’an, is the Hukou Waterfall, the largest waterfall along the Yellow River. The cascade spans an impressive width of 30 to 50 metres depending on the season. The falls have appeared in many Chinese paintings and were once printed on the 50-yuan bill. 

Although the waterfall is spectacular and with its own charm in each season, Summer is the best season to witness the fury of these falls. Being the flood season, the roar can be heard from afar as the yellow torrents roll around huge rocks and thunder over the riverbanks. In winter, the subsidiary waterfalls freeze forming fantastic images in various postures.

Image credits: Tim Zachernuk from flickr

The constant mist of the waterfall plus the refraction of the sunshine causes a beautiful rainbow to arch over the river from bank to bank, often bridging both provinces together as if by magic. This is clearest at approximately 10AM in the morning on a sunny day and is known as the Circumzenital Arc. If you’re very lucky, you may even see double rainbows.

3. Cuihua Mountains

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Located only 20km from downtown Xi’an, this is the go-to spot for memorable morning hikes. The topography itself has been shaped by earthquakes and landslides, and this unusual mountain is renowned for its well-preserved geology, which illustrates how a landslide affects the environment.

The collapsed yet steep mountain peaks, cliffs, dammed lakes, and randomly scattered stones create a vast playground that you can explore to your heart’s content. Take your pick of outdoor activities before taking to the water on a rented boat for an alternate view from the mountain's base. 

There are cascading waterfalls in summer, and heavy snowfall during winter. In fact, the ski resort at Cuihua Mountain is the only natural ski area in Xi’an. It’s also the biggest in Shaanxi Province.

4. Taibai Mountain National Forest Park

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Taibai Mountain is the highest peak of the Qinling Mountains, a natural barrier between the north and south of China. Located at the north foot of Taibai Mountains, the National Forest Park is the highest national forest park of China. It is well-known for its winding streams, enormous lakes and hot springs, diverse animal species, lush forests and snowy mountain peaks. The breathtaking scenery has served as inspiration to poets and painters throughout Chinese history.

Image credits: Ron Knight from flickr

Image credits: Jamguo from Chinese Wikipedia

Mountain climbing is very popular here, with enthusiasts trekking the whole night to reach the peak. Hikes start in the lush greenery of the foothills and end in the snowy peaks. After climbing, tourists can enjoy hot springs. The water contains scores of mineral substances and can reach temperatures as high as 72°C

This forest park is also known as a ‘natural zoo’ of sorts. There are more than 1,690 kinds of insects and animals, with rare species such as pandas and golden monkeys. The park is also home to more than 1,850 kinds of seeds and plants making it a natural warehouse.