Cuihua Mountain

Cuihua Mountain is in the northern part of the Qinling Mountains, 20 km (12 miles) from downtown Xi'an.  As a part of Zhongnanshan National Forest Park, Cuihua Mountain has been recommended as one of the top ten attractions in Xi'an since 1997. Having experienced many devastating earthquakes in ancient times, the mountain features unique landslide formations. Here you can see a stone sea of collapsed mountains plus steep peaks, cliffs, and dammed lakes created by the earthquakes
 

Landslide Remains

Cuihua Peak and Ganqiu Peak were the two mountains most affected by the earthquakes, both having extremely precipitous cliff faces. Cuihua Peak rises to height of 1,414m (4,600 feet) and is surrounded by peaks created by landslides.

At the foot of Cuihua Peak, there is debris from collapsed mountains, forming a sea of huge stones with various shapes. Some look like camels, some like rabbits, and some like cranes. The randomly scattered stones create a maze in the area, where you can explore to your heart's content. In places, the huge stones huddle together leaving many deep, narrow gaps between them.

Cuihua Mountain
Cuihua Mountain
Cuihua Mountain
Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) on the Mountain

Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)

Where rocks blocked the upper Taiyi River, a natural quake lake came into being, called Heavenly Lake. It's around 14 hectares (30 acres), and is known as 'the Pearl of the Qinling Mountains'. Here visitors can enjoy boating and fishing.

In addition to Heavenly Lake, you can also have fun at Ganqiuchi Lake and Bishan Lake.
 

Wind Cave and Ice Cave

The Wind Cave and Ice Cave are two highlights of the Cuihua Mountain Scenic Area. Actually they are not natural caves, but very narrow gaps formed by the sea of collapsed stone. At the narrowest points, you even need to bend your back to go through the gaps. Without sunshine nearly the whole year, the Wind Cave can provide you with a comfortable, cool space on hot days. The Ice Cave is cold even in hot summer. The temperature difference between the cave and outside can reach 23℃ (73℉) in summer, and ice doesn’t melt in the cave.
 

Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark Museum

Through a combination of high technology using sound, light, and electronics, the museum shows the landslide scenery and provides information about the animals, plants, weather and hydrology affected by the landslide.

Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark Museum
Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark Museum
Collection in Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark Museum
Collection in the Museum

Best Time to Visit

It’s best to visit Cuihua Mountain during summer. You can enjoy the beautiful cascade waterfalls in Yifangyuan Scenic Area, and if you are lucky, you will even see a rainbow over the waterfall on sunny days. Walking around this natural oxygen bar, you can also enjoy the highest waterfall in the northern part of the Qinling Mountains.

In fall, you can enjoy the colorful leaves on Mount Cuihua. All kinds of seasonal fruit is also available. In winter, heavy snow covers the area. The ski resort in Cuihua Mountain is the only natural ski area in Xi'an as well as the biggest in Shaanxi Province, allowing around 1,000 people to ski at the same time.
 

Temple Fair & Climbing Activities

Every year on lunar June 1st, there is a temple fair in memory of a girl named Cuihua. During that time, there are more visitors than usual.

During the second week in April, the 'Thousand People Mountain Climbing Activity' is held, attracting a great many backpackers.
 

Tips:

1. You can enjoy your Cuihua Mountain tour within one day.
2. A snack street is next to Heavenly Lakeand provides lots of local food. It's a little more expensive than in other places, so we suggest you prepare some food in advance.
 

How to get there

1. From downtown Xi'an:
Take bus No. 905 and get off at Cuihuashan Station.
2. From Xi'an Railway Station:
Take bus No. 600 or 603 to Dianshita (TV Tower) Station and then transfer to bus No. 905 to Cuihuashan station.
3. From Xi'an Airport:
Take the shuttle bus to Xi'an Railway Station, then follow the above route.
 Xi'an Bus / Metro Search.

Getting around
As the core scenic area is about 6 km (3.7 mi) from the entrance, tourists can either walk there or take a sightseeing car or mini bus. At present 3 routes are in service: entrance - Tianchi area; entrance - Yifangyuan area; entrance - skiing/grass skiing area.

Minibus Fare: CNY 6 per person per trip.
Sightseeing Car Fare: CNY 20 per person for a single trip.
 

Admission Fee March to November: CNY 65
December to next February: CNY 40
Opening Hours March to November: 08:30-18:00
December to next February: 09:00-17:00

- Last updated on Apr. 12, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on Cuihua Mountain
Asked by Mara Savio from GERMANY | May. 07, 2018 22:26Reply
Bus from which station can arrive at Cuihuashan Mountain?
I could not find any bus to the mountains. They did not even know it sometimes :D
Where is the bus station for the bus 905?
Answers (2)
Answered by Alen from NETHERLANDS | May. 09, 2018 22:32
00Reply


You need to take the bus line 905 to the terminus, Cuihua Mountain Tourism Station. Maybe I can tell you which station you should get on if you tell me where you’re going to start off.
Answered by Mara from GERMANY | May. 10, 2018 22:32
00Reply


We are not in the city anymore,but thank you. I think we should have go to the TV tower to take the 905.
Asked by Andrew from MALAYSIAA | Dec. 01, 2017 06:27Reply
Enquiry Hotel in CuiHuaShan Ski Resort
Hi,

I cant find any informations about the ski resort on the accomodation. Anyone knows beside skiing, does the ski resort provide accomodation as well?

Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Ellen from AUSTRALIA | Dec. 03, 2017 20:31
00Reply


Hi, you may stay in the Heavenly Pool (Tianchi) Holiday Resort on the mountain. It is around 30min walking distance from the ski resort.
Asked by Nora Tham Suffian from MALAYSIA | Aug. 26, 2017 09:05Reply
Is there any ski resort near xian?
Answers (1)
Answered by Jenny from CANADA | Aug. 28, 2017 01:01
00Reply


Yes, there is a ski resort in Mount Cuihua, and I also know one in White Deer Plain. Both of them are supposed to be available in late Dec. till late Jan. in the next year.
Asked by April from CHINA | Nov. 19, 2016 19:05Reply
Is there an age or height limit for the half-price child ticket for Mt. Cuihua?
Answers (2)
Answered by Susan from CANADA | Nov. 19, 2016 20:35
00Reply


Hey, it is regulated that children under 1.2 meters can enjoy free entry to the mountain.
Answered by April from CHINA | Nov. 19, 2016 22:13
00Reply


Thank you Susan. I am still looking for information about the half-price tickets.
Asked by Chris from VENEZUELA | Jun. 07, 2016 02:36Reply
Admission fee and photo policy
Can you please let us know any details about admission fee and photo policy for this location?
Answers (3)
Answered by Brenda | Jun. 07, 2016 04:19
10Reply


The admission fee for Cuihua Mountain is CNY70 per person and the fee for Zhashui Karst Caves is CNY82 per person. You can take photos at these two locations.
Answered by Chris from VENEZUELA | Jun. 08, 2016 02:31
00Reply


Could you please tell if pictures taken at Karst Cave can be used for commercial or editorial purposes? Thank you!
Answered by Brenda | Jun. 08, 2016 03:29
00Reply


Yes, I think so, as long as the pictures are taken by yourself.
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