Private Day Trip to Mount Hua from Xi'an with English Driver

ホテルのロビーから華山の入り口まで車で連れていってもらえたので、登山のための体力を温存することができました。ブルースさんがチケットを全て手配しておいてくれたので、購入のため長打の列に並ぶ必要もなく、時間を有効に使えました。おすすめです。

To be clear this isn’t a “guided tour”, but transportation and excellent guidance and conversation by Bruce. Bruce picked me up in a timely manner from my hotel in the morning with a smile on his face. We had a lovely chat about China, it’s people, customs, history and philosophy. He was very funny and his English was spot on. One of the best English speakers I’ve run into in China! We discussed what I wanted to see and do on the Mt. and when we arrived he bought the tickets for the cable cars and busses that I needed. I decided to go to the plank wall and was grateful it was open. All map signs on the wall have Chinese and English, however when you get to the plank wall “check in” desk there is no written English and the 2 guys checking passports do not speak any English. First I was told I couldn’t do the was because I was over 50. I argued I wasn’t OVER 50, but that I WAS 50....so they allowed me on. Then, I discovered that you can only go in pairs..meaning no solo climbers. Disappointed, I started to walk away but a very lively Chinese girl in line who spoke a little English helped me out and paired me with a solo guy in her group. In reality it seems they want groups of 4...not sure why, as you climb as like a group of 12!? Anyway, the wait ended up being about 2 hours and the climb took about 45 to 1 hour (from suit up to finish). It this point it was 4pm and due to the cable car closing I didn’t have time to finish the rest of the hike (but was successful in what I came to do). I went down the mountain the same way I came up (West Peak). When I got off the bus there was Bruce waiting for me at the bottom. He went out of his way to make sure I had a great trip by helping out some friends. By this action alone, I can tell that he is a compassionate, honest man with a good soul. He deserves abundant success. On the way back to Xi’an we had a wonderful conversation and shared favorite music. By far the best tour I’ve taken in China by the most compassionate man with stellar taste in music! Thank you Bruce!

Just to be clear, this is not a guide to of the hike through Mount Huashan. It's transportation and organization of the ticket buying process. However, if you're lucky to have Bruce as your guide you will be showered with knowledge about the mountain, the area, the people, the good, and just about anything else you can think of. If you're real damn lucky, he might take you to eat his favorite dish in the Muslim quarter (sorry Bruce, hope people don't start demanding this ;)). Anyways, if you're in Xi'an and your going to Huashan, this is how you should go. More affordable than the other operators, and I can assure you Bruce's operation is to notch. Thanks again for the 羊肉泡馍!!!