3 killed, 2 injured in hiking calamity

Three hikers have been killed and two others were frostbitten after they traveled along one of the most dangerous hiking routes in northwest China's Shaanxi province and encountered a terrible snowstorm, a regional rescue team was quoted as saying by West China Metropolis Daily.

At least 50 Chinese backpackers from regions including Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Qinghai and Yunnan were trying to cross from Aoshan Mountain to the peak of Taibai Mountain in Shaanxi's Qinling Mountains during the May Day holiday, according to the Shaanxi Shuguang Emergency Rescue Association.

Hiking in the mountains is becoming increasingly popular in China, but many people have insufficient knowledge about the sport, and its dangers.