Huashan - East Peak: My Favorite Chinese Sunrise

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(Huashan Hike Continued)
Instead of waiting at the actual peak, I followed along a more precarious path to a more isolated location. I picked out a spot and then searched for some shelter, it was sooo cold. There was a hotel about 15 minutes walk away where I saw a group of girls huddled together in a hallway, haha, but I decided to bear it outside right at my spot to get the full experience (and not accidentally fall asleep) and not miss the sunrise.

I enjoyed the night view over the villages, valleys, and few lights that I could see below. I don't know any other word but "majestic" (again) to use to describe it. I made a make-shift tent with my poncho between two rock (almost a crevice) and ate my muffins and kiwi while listening to my music. Grey light began appearing aroudn 4:15am, but it was nothing special. Somewhere between 4:30am and 5:30am I fell asleep, not sure where, ha, but when I woke up there was one other person near my location so I decided to get up and move around to stay warm. I waited as the sun slowly began to play with the colors of the sky, making them scenic enough for a picture. I met a British couple and a guy Iowa State while on the peak.

I believe it was around 6:15-30am that I finally noticed the sun peeking over the clouds/mist. Aww crap, I forgot to take a video...wait nevermind, yeah I did, haha. Basically the sunrise was beautiful, period. After enjoying the sunrise (still in the frigid weather) for a few hours, I headed toward West Peak starting at 7am.

(See next blog for rest of Huashan experience)

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Photos

Daybreak
Sun just starting to light up the sky around 5-5:30am

East Peak
Looking East off of it of course

Sun painting the sky with some bright colors
.

Around 5:30am
?

Sun still not showing it's face
I hope this doesn't turn into another disappointment like back at Huangshan

Sky is such a rich blue!
Bluest sky I have yet to see in China

Blue!
.

Ooh, theres the sun!
Yay

.
Put my camera on a different setting and it looks more like a sunset now, ha

Pretty
.

Can you tell I like sunrises yet?
Ha

Aww
.

Ahmazing
Yep, I was quite satisfied

Comments

[Helen]

I was just here last night with two of my friends- we're American students studying in Xi'an. I saw the clearest sky I've ever seen and the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen. Definitely worth the climb! Just be careful! It can be dangerous.