Just came back from Huashan! Is the 440 yuan route from west to north really worth it?

Opening hours: Peak season (April 1 to November 30): 06:30-18:00 (the ropeway operates until 19:00) Low season (December 1 to March 31): 08:00-17:00. Ticket prices: Peak season: 160 yuan/person; off-season: 100 yuan/person; students and seniors over 60 years old are half price, and children under 1.2 meters are free. Cableway fee: One-way fare for West Peak cableway is 140 yuan/person in peak season, one-way fare for North Peak cableway is 80 yuan/person, and one-way fare for West Peak mountain bus is 40 yuan/person. 2. Transportation Guide Depart from Xi'an: High-speed rail: Xi'an North Station → Huashan North Station (30 minutes, fare 54.5 yuan), after exiting the station, take the free bus 1/2 directly to the tourist center. Bus: Xi'an East Bus Station → Huashan Scenic Area (2 hours, fare 30 yuan), or take bus No. 1 from the railway station square (28 yuan). Self-driving: Navigate to the "Huashan Visitor Center Parking Lot", the parking fee is 20 yuan/time, and it takes 10 minutes to walk to the Yuquanyuan trail entrance. 3. Recommended mountaineering routes 1⃣ One-day highlight route (cableway + hiking) Morning: Visitor Center → West Peak Cableway → West Peak → South Peak (highest peak 2154.9 meters) → Skywalk (extra charge of 30 yuan). Afternoon: Take the cable car down from East Peak (Kite Turnover) → Middle Peak → North Peak, the whole journey takes about 6-8 hours. 2⃣ Night climbing route to watch the sunrise: Depart from Yuquanyuan at 23:00 → Qianchizhuang (70° steep slope) → Beifeng (4 hours) → Canglongling → Dongfeng Sun Viewing Platform (reference sunrise time: 4:30-5:20 in summer). Equipment recommendations: headlamp, gloves, warm clothing (the temperature on the top of the mountain is below 10℃ at night), military coats can be rented (50 yuan/piece). 4. Must-see attractions and experiences Changkong Plank Road: Located on the east side of the South Peak, it is the "first dangerous place" on the 700-meter-high cliff. You need to face the wall and walk with your stomach close to the ground. Kitesurfing: A vertical stone path on the cliff of East Peak that requires climbing with hands and feet to lead to the chess pavilion. Qianchi Chuang and Baichi Gorge: 370 stone steps with a slope of 70°, known as the "Throat of Taihua Mountain". Xiyue Temple: Shaanxi's "Little Forbidden City", a place where emperors of all dynasties worshipped the God of Mount Hua, open to the public free of charge (separate reservation required). 5. Catering and Accommodation Foothill Recommendations: Yuquan Road snacks: Dadao noodles (15 yuan), shrimp noodles (12 yuan), and Yellow River catfish (60 yuan/portion). B&B: Inn near Yuquanyuan (100-200 yuan/night), mountaineering equipment rental available. Accommodation on the top of the mountain: Dongfeng Hotel (bed 150 yuan/person), reservation is required 2 weeks in advance. 6. Practical Tips Safety Tips: You need to sign a waiver agreement to visit the Changkong Plank Road and the Kitesurfing Trail, and it is recommended to purchase scenic area accident insurance (10 yuan/person). Do not bring plastic bags (to prevent macaques from snatching them), and trekking poles are not necessary (some sections of the trail require the use of both hands and feet). Peak-shifting suggestion: Reduce the number of tourists by 30% on Wednesdays and Thursdays to avoid the cable car peak period from 10:00 to 14:00. Photography spots: Yangtian Pond (sea of ​​clouds) at South Peak, sunset at West Peak (18:30-19:00), and clouds at Canglong Ridge.