We started climbing Hua Shan at night with the aim of reaching the East Peak by dawn, a fairly popular way of experiencing the sacred Taoist mountain. Several miles of steep stone stairs separate you from the top, but at least there's a rusty chain to keep you from plunging to your death. Lovers will attach locks to these chains and throw the key over the side of the cliff, so that's the story with all the padlocks and ribbons.

Sleepless travellers

The walk down

Locks and ribbons by day