How to Go Mountain Climbing in China

China is a very mountainous region with spectacular mountains to climb across the country. Mountain climbing is an ancient tradition. Many spiritual people, such as Taoist hermits and Buddhist monks, would climb mountains to discover enlightenment. Many of the sacred mountains of the Taoists and Buddhists are accessible to mountain climbers today. Read on to learn how to go mountain climbing in China.

Instructions

    • 1

      Book a mountain climbing tour through an agency, preferably a reputable Chinese firm. Local Chinese know the best locations and can make arrangements with officials and also negotiate the best price, which is an art form in China. If a mountain climber has preferred gear to bring into China, advanced permissions may be necessary.

    • 2

      Journey to Tibet and the Qinghai Plateau. The area is known locally as the Mother of All Mountains. There are more than 100 peaks in excess of 19,000 feet and 44 of these are open to climbers. Special permission is needed to visit Tibet, but tour agencies can easily make the arrangements in advance. Only professionals can tackle the peaks over 26,000 feet.

    • 3

      Choose a mountain for its scenic beauty for your first mountain climbing adventure in China. Huangshan Mountain, or Yellow Mountain, in Anhui Province is one of the most spectacular. Huangshan Mountain is well known for the craggy rock formations and gnarled pines perched above cloud-filled valleys. There are several passages up the mountain, but consider the Eastern steps for a leisurely four hour climb to the top.

    • 4

      Explore the sacred Taoist mountain of Tai Shan. Tai Shan is home to the 7,000 step Stairway to Heaven. Tai Shan is not only the home of the Taoist gods, but is a deity itself. The mountain is considered a son of Heaven, as the emperors themselves were considered, and over 70 emperors came to the mountain to offer prayers and respect.

    • 5

      Climb one of China's sacred Buddhist mountains. There are several sacred Buddhist mountains with four major sacred mountains in each of the four cardinal directions: Pu Tuo Shan in the east, Wu Tai Shan in the north, Emei Shan in the west, and Jiu Hua Shan in the south.