You are about to view pictures of what has to be the mostdangerous Tourist Hiking Trail in the world. After you see the pictures, I have little doubt you will agree.

This is not mountain climbing. Mountain climbing involves using advanced equipment and skill honed through experience. Instead you will see a trail used by anyone foolish enough to give it a try regardless of their physical ability or previous climbing experience.

It is said there are frequent casualties. I was unable to drum up any confirmation for this allegation. Nevertheless, my own eyes tell me how dangerous this trail is. In certain parts, one mistake and you will fall to your death. For example, take a look at the icy stairs in the picture!

Mt. Huashan is located in the Shaanxi Province. It stands to the south of Huayin City, 75 miles east of Xian.

Mt. Huashan is not some neglected little spot in the middle of nowhere. Quite the contrary! Mt Huashan is one of the five sacred mountains in China. In the past, many emperors came to pray and sacrifice to the God of Mt. Huashan.

Mt. Huashan is also a holy mountain of Taoism. It is said that Lao Zi (Lao Tzu), the founder and patriarch of Taoism, once lived and gave sermons here. Today many Taoism temples are also located on Mr. Huashan which helps explain why this is a much-visited area.

Mt. Huashan consists of five peaks. Originally Hua was called Xiyue - meaning 'Western mountain' - because it was the westernmost of the five sacred Taoist peaks.

When seen in a certain way, the five peaks of Huashan look like five petals of a flower. This is how Huashan got its nickname of Flowery Mountain.

The East Peak is 2,090 meters (about 6,857 ft) high above sea level. It is also called Facing Sun Peak because the top of the peak is the best place to watch the sunrise.

The North Peak, which was called Clouds Stand by ancient people, looks like a flat platform in the clouds. The peak is 1,614 meters (about 5,295 ft) high above sea level. The most important site on the North Peak is the Zhenwu Hall for God of North. The North Peak is very popular for climbing.

The Middle Peak, which is always connected with a beauty, is also called Jade Maiden Peak. Story goes that Nongyu, the daughter of King Mugong (659B.C.-621B.C.) of the Qin Kingdom (770B.C.-476B.C.), was tired of the life in the court. So she and her husband lived alone at Middle Peak. The West Peak is 2,087 meters (about 6,846 ft) high. It is always called Lotus Peak because of its unique shape. This peak is formed by a huge rock. Hence it's very steep.

Finally, there is the infamous South Peak. This is where the dangerous climb takes place. With an altitude of 2,160 meters (about 7,088 ft), the South Peak is considered to be the head of the peaks.

Climbing to the top of the South Peak brings every climber a great vision. What's more, the temple for God of Mt. Huashan is situated on the South Peak.

Mt. Huashan is famous for its egregious cliffs. Nowhere are the cliff more difficult to climb than the South Peak. A tortuous 15 kilometer stepped path leads to the Green Dragon Ridge (Bilong ji) where other trails lead to the major peaks.

Formerly the five mountains were dotted with temples but now only a few remain. These days the majority of visitors to Huashan are Chinese youth on vacation. However the mountain routes are still trekked by devoted pilgrims and wandering monks intent of visiting the sacred shrines.

In order to reach certain temples and the caves of the sages great courage is needed. Pilgrims must scale cliffs with only a linked chain for support and to fall is certain death.

Certain routes on the tough South Peak climb have been given humorous, but quite accurate names such as 'Thousand Feet Precipice' and 'Ear Touching Cliff'.

The picture on the right illustrates an area known as the "Heavenly Stairs". Maybe that is because if you fall off of them, you go to Heaven...

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