Huashan (Flowery Mountain), located just outside Xi’an, China

December 1969 Issue

Huashan (Flowery Mountain), located just outside Xi’an, China

Huashan (Flowery Mountain) is located just outside of Xi’an, China, in Shaanxi Province.

When climbing the “Stairway to Heaven,” watch your step. In fact, the climb up the side of Huashan, the sacred mountain pictured in April’s photo, is so precipitous that signs read “No watching when walking. When walking, no watching” (suggesting that you stop climbing before taking your eyes off the path to enjoy the view).

Located just outside of Xi’an, China, in Shaanxi Province, Huashan (Flowery Mountain) has had a climbing path to its peak since, at least, the third century AD.

Today, you can climb the 5,295 feet of paths and stairways to the temples at the top or take a cable car partway and climb the rest.

Seven readers sent in the correct answer by the deadline and SUBHADRA SURESH of Cincinnati, Ohio, won the drawing. We thank Dave Bruels of Seattle, Washington, for contributing the photo.