Peak attraction

Locks hang on chains at Jinsuoguan, expressing goodwill messages to friends and families. Photos by Yang Jun / For China Daily

A mountaintop pavilion offers a breathtaking view of the peaks submerged in a sea of mist.

The Huashan Mountains' majestic slopes are the setting for not only martial arts novels but also ideal vacations. Xu Lin reports.

The Huashan Mountains are a peak attraction that packs a punch for martial arts novel buffs - myself included.

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These summits are where swordsmen test their mettle - and their metal - in such kung fu fictions as Hong Kong author Louis Cha Leung-yung's works.

My two-day trip starts with Xiyue Temple, one of the country's oldest Taoist sites.

Every emperor since the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) has traveled to this holy complex to offer sacrifices to the God of Huashan to pray for national peace and prosperity.

The 14.33-hectare compound is an example of ancient Chinese architecture's perfect symmetry.

Its setting is made idyllic yet imposing by its long galleries, faded inscriptions by emperors and nobles, steles, archways and centuries-old trees.

It's strange to see a massive traditional bed next to a large sculpture of the God of Huashan.

However, the guide tells me the emperor and empress would spend their nights in this room during visits. Of course, the bed displayed is a replica.

Standing atop Longevity Pavilion - the compound's highest point - I can relish a clear view of the mountains through the mist. The tableau is just like a traditional ink painting.

Huashan, one of China's five sacred mountain ranges, is located in Shaanxi province's Huayin city, 100 km east of the provincial capital Xi'an. It lures tourists with its steep slopes and ancient Taoist temples.

Huashan is one of the few scenic areas open 24 hours a day.

Scaling the steep slopes of Huashan is not easy.

Some young people climb the mountains for the whole night to catch the sunrise and conquer all the five peaks within a day. This is also the most economical way to enjoy the alpine range - mountaintop accommodation isn't cheap.