Huangshan Travel Guide
Huangshan is located in southern Anhui and was known in ancient times as Yishan, named after the legend that the Yellow Emperor refined elixirs here. It is famous for its "four wonders" of strange pines, bizarre rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs, and is a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site. At the foot of the mountain, Huizhou-style ancient villages such as Hongcun and Xidi, with their white walls and black tiles and carved beams and painted rafters, complement Huangshan beautifully.
Huangshan is a classic destination for inbound travelers to appreciate the mood of Chinese landscape painting and Huizhou culture, with convenient transportation, and it is often combined with Hangzhou and Qiandao Lake into an East China itinerary.
Must-Visit Attractions
Huangshan Scenic Area — climb to Bright Summit, see the Guest-Greeting Pine and Flying-Over Rock, with billowing seas of clouds like a painting; Hongcun — a World Cultural Heritage site, with an "ox-shaped" village layout and the Moon Pond and South Lake like mirrors; Xidi — a World Cultural Heritage site, with well-preserved Huizhou residences and archway groups; Tunxi Old Street — an ancient Huizhou street where Huizhou ink, She inkstones, and Huizhou cuisine converge; Huizhou Ancient City — the ancient city wall of Shexian and the Xu Guo Archway; Chengkan — an ancient village laid out according to the Eight Trigrams of the I Ching; Qiyun Mountain — a famous Taoist mountain with danxia landforms.
Specialty Foods
Huizhou cuisine (stinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu, Huizhou yipin pot, ham stewed soft-shelled turtle), Huangshan shaobing, braised pork with dried bamboo shoots, ferns and wild mountain vegetables, Tunxi drunken crab, as well as Huangshan Maofeng, Taiping Houkui, and Keemun black tea.
Best Time to Travel
Each season has its own merits: spring (April–May) with blooming mountain flowers, summer (July–August) for escaping the heat and viewing waterfalls, autumn (September–November) with clear skies and light clouds, best for climbing, and winter (December–February) for snow-covered pines and seas of clouds, though you need to watch out for slippery paths and stay warm.
Transportation Guide
Huangshan North Station has high-speed rail connections to Hangzhou, Hefei, Beijing, and other places, and Huangshan Tunxi Airport connects to major cities; from Tangkou, transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus to go up the mountain, and it is recommended to arrange one night on the mountain to see the sunrise; to Hongcun and Xidi, you can take a dedicated line from the city or charter a car.
Suggested Itinerary
Classic three-day tour: on day one, arrive in Tunxi and stroll Tunxi Old Street; on day two, climb Huangshan to see the Guest-Greeting Pine and sea of clouds, staying overnight on the mountain; on day three, descend and head to Hongcun and Xidi. A four-day tour can add Chengkan or Qiyun Mountain, or extend to Qiandao Lake and Hangzhou.
Travel Tips
Climbing Huangshan is fairly strenuous, so wear lightweight hiking shoes and bring a raincoat and warm clothing; accommodation on the mountain is limited, so book in advance; the best time to see the sea of clouds and sunrise is often just after rain clears, so keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Ideas
Sketch or watch the morning mist by South Lake in Hongcun; climb Huangshan at dawn to see the sunrise and billowing sea of clouds; seek out the three Huizhou carvings (brick, wood, and stone) in the alleys of Xidi; visit a tea mountain to experience tea picking and processing; stay overnight in a Huizhou guesthouse, listen to a Huizhou opera performance, or sip a pot of Huangshan Maofeng.
One-Day Trips Nearby
Hongcun + Xidi — Huizhou ancient villages; Chengkan — an Eight Trigrams ancient village; Qiyun Mountain — a famous Taoist mountain; Taiping Lake — lake and mountain scenery and resorts; Qiandao Lake — emerald waters and islands; you can also take high-speed rail to Hangzhou.
