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Chang Kong Cliff Road

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Chang Kong Cliff Road is a challenging cliff hiking road in China. The cliff walkway is reached by climbing steep stairs.[1] It is located in Shaanxi Province, Peoples Republic of China at the edge of Huashan mountain.[2]

The Cliff road is believed to have been created in the 13th century, during the Yuan Dynasty, by He Zhizhen and his followers; He was the first master of the Mount Hua Sect of Taoism.[3] The monks were seeking immortals who were believed to dwell in the mountains.[4]

The walkway is made of wooden boards,[5] nailed together[6] and installed on a series of iron pegs driven into the sheer mountain cliff[7] thousands of metres above the ground.[8] Some sections of the walkway are only 30 cm wide. [9] Some sections are cut into the cliff rock.[7]

The walkway is popular with thrill-seekers,[10] but, because a number of fatalities have occurred,[11] tourists and others wanting to negotiate the walkway are required to wear safety harnesses.[12][13] The walkway is traveled even in winter[6] and, in order to arrive in time to view the sunrise, many choose to traverse it at night.[4] Once started, a traveler must continue to the end, because the narrowness of the path prohibits two-way traffic.[14]

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