The South Peak at 2,154 metres is the highest of Hua Shan's five summits and the most dramatic in profile — a steep granite fin visible from the valley below and from the North Peak above as a distant sharp summit. Reaching it from the North Peak involves a descent and then a sustained climb along chains and steps cut into the rock. The path is exposed in several sections, particularly the Black Dragon Ridge, a narrow stone spine with vertical drops on both sides.
At the summit there is a small Taoist temple and a meteorological station, plus the start of the Changkong Zhandao plank walk. The summit views extend on clear days to the Wei River valley and the Guanzhong Plain far below. Accommodation is available at the South Peak hostel, one of the ridge-top guesthouses that allow a two-day traverse of all five peaks.