Surviving The World’s Most Dangerous Trail

If I told you the path that these people are walking on is referred to as the most dangerous trail in the world, I don't think you'd be too surprised. They are hugging a side of a mountain about 5,000 feet in the air, hiking on a two-way path. And believe it or not, some are doing this just to go and get a cup of tea. Hi, my name is Vivian Li. I'm a keen scuba diver and an amateur photographer who works in the finance industry. This photo was taken at Hua Shan That's Mount Hua Shan, one of China's five sacred mountains. It's home to ancient legends and structures and, of course, many traditions, both new and old. It is a place where people once came to worship and seek immortality, and where others were taken to be sacrificed to the gods. But today it is a place for tourists and locals to enjoy a reflective hike, with some even leaving a prayer in the form of a gold lock. It is a place to express both your spiritual and adventurous side, albeit a dangerous one. The most unique part of this mountain hike was the cliffside plank walk. For 30 RMB, we were given a chest harness, two carabiners, and with minimal instructions, off we went. The most daunting part of the initial descent was down a narrow ladder of iron rods. With two-way traffic, there were times when two people could be standing on the same rod at the same time. At the bottom of this makeshift ladder is a two-foot-wide plank to traverse across, and a metal chain on the wall for you to clip your carabiners in and out of as you make your way across. An estimated 100 people die every year on Mount Hua Shan, but for some the risk is worth it. And their award? One of the best cups of tea in China, but for others it's a satisfaction of conquering the most dangerous path in the world. I wanted to capture the emotions of these daring hikers, and at the same time find out for myself what compels them to take such risks. What was at the end of this plank walk? When we reached the end, all we found was a small Taoist shrine, but I felt it was the sheer adrenaline of being in the clouds that attract people like myself here. The tea houses dotted around the mountain used to be Taoist temples which has now been converted to allow hikers to take tea breaks or camp overnight during their visit. We also enjoyed a pop of freshly brewed Chinese tea when we finally reached the This is not for the faint-hearted or those with vertigo, but it is definitely worth a challenge. Want to see even more amazing destinations in China? Watch this episode next to find out where you can see views like this. This image is about the rice field in Yuanyang, the biggest one in China. I was very lucky because the mood of the sky was perfect. And as always don't forget to Thanks for watching!