Huangshan City
Found in the Anhui province, Huangshan was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. Huangmountain is simply magnificent and unforgettable with lofty and steep peaks and rocks. The landscape is so inspiring that there are many Taoist constructions and influences in the area, providing tranquility to a beautiful religion.
Weather
Huangshan City is found in a subtropical zone with an average annual temperature of 8 ℃. Summers are hot in the day and cool at night, while winters are cold to freezing with snow from the mountain peaks occasionally reaching further below.
The climate of Huangshan City is mild and humid, and the temperature is agreeable during all four seasons. In July, the summer’s hottest month, the temperature falls between 21 and 26 ℃. The area lies in a subtropical zone, so winter months range from -3 to 4℃， which is cold enough to result in unmatched snow scenery, but mild enough to enjoy outdoor activity in a world draped with icicles. The white, billowy cloud cover alleviates sunrays, ensuring that guests to the mountain are always comfortable.
Spring
Huangshan City has its seasonal good points all year round. In April the average temperature in the range is 10℃. Flowers, trees, and grasses emerge, making Spring in the Yellow Mountains among the best seasons to visit.
Summer
Summertime is the tourist high season. On the mountain, Summer is cool and tranquil in cloudy weather, but beware, you may still get burnt when the clouds clear. The wettest months are May through to August. This makes Summer the best time to enjoy the Sea of Clouds, one of the famous four features of the mountain. For safety reasons during Summer thunderstorms, visitors are not permitted to hold umbrellas as the wind may catch them and cause falls down the mountain. Raincoats are preferable.
Autumn
The climate is most comfortable and the scenery is stunningly beautiful in Autumn. Yellow Mountain is one of the best places to enjoy Autumn foliage in China, looking down on the deciduous trees of the ravines and valleys. The pines of course retain their verdant needles. The first week of October is another high season, being a national holiday, so Huangshan city is more crowded and it costs a bit more to travel and stay at hotels.
Winter
Winter, the longest of the four seasons, is chilly without being severe, though it can be freezing up on the mountain and spectacular snow-scapes are seen every year. Many tourists recommend the Winter landscapes of Mt. Huangshan as the most spectacular. It's the low season, so the mountainside is less crowded and it is cheaper to travel. Bring warm clothes, preferably fleece or down if you plan to visit this season.
Transportation
Huangshan City is famous for the Huangshan Scenic Area, which makes it a popular destination both for Chinese and foreigners. Getting to and around Huangshan is very convenient for tourism. You can get to Huangshan City by air, by train, by bus, or by ship. Moreover, there is transport from regional transportation hubs outside the prefecture direct to the Huangshan Scenic Area.
1. By Air
Huangshan Airport is also called Tunxi Airport, located in the Tunxi suburb of Huangshan City, 7 km from the city center. The airport has domestic flights to Hefei City, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Tianjin, and Guangzhou, and international flights to Seoul and Inchon in South Korea. It takes about three hours to Beijing, an hour to Shanghai, two hours to Xi'an and about an hour and a half to Guangzhou. The flight from Huangshan City to Hong Kong takes two hours and to Seoul takes around four hours.
Huangshan Civil Aviation Ticket Office lies on Huangshan Road in Tunxi District, which is near Old Street and the Christian Church. Branches of the ticket office are also set around the city, such as on Qianyuan South Road, near the railway station), Huangshan New Street, and Yuzhong Garden.
Shuttle buses 18 and 19 between the city center and the airport operate every day at 2 CNY/person. Between Yuzhong Garden and the old terminal building of the airport, the buses run from 07:00-17:30 every 20 minutes.
A taxi service is provided on the first floor of the terminal building in the airport. A ride to the city center costs about CNY10-15.
From the airport to Huangshan Scenic Area (Tangkou Town) there is no direct bus. Travelers need to take a bus or taxi first to Tunxi Bus Station, then travel to Huangshan Scenic Area by bus (CNY15-18 depending on whether the bus uses the highway or not). Taking a taxi direct from the airport to the scenic area costs 140 CNY or so.
2. By Train
There is one railway station in the city. The Wan-Gan Line between Anhui Province and Jiangxi Province runs across the whole of Huangshan City. Huangshan Railway Station has trains to most big and medium cities across China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Guangzhou. A ride to Beijing takes 10 hours. The train from Huangshan City to Shanghai takes 12 hours, to Guangzhou 19 hours, and to Hangzhou or Nanjing 4.5 hours.
Buses 6, 9, and 12 stop in front of the railway station. Direct buses run between the railway station and Huangshan Scenic Area (Tangkou Town), which go between Tunxi and Taiping (get off at Tangkou Town) and between Tunxi and Tangkou. They operate 05:30-17:30, departing every 30 minutes, and costing CNY16-18. A ride to the scenic area is about 70 minutes.
A taxi from Huangshan Railway Station to Huangshan Scenic Area costs about CNY100-120.
3. By Bus
There are several national highways to or passing through Huangshan City. Buses between Huangshan City and its neighboring cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing, and key cities in China like Beijing and Guangzhou are available.
A ride to Hangzhou from Huangshan is three hours, to Shanghai about five hours, to Nanjing four hours, and it will take 16 hours from Beijing to Huangshan.
There are two main bus stations in the city:
Huangshan Bus Station: Huangshan Bus Station is also known as Tunxi Bus Station. Most buses linking major cities in China stop there. Buses from the station to Huangshan Scenic Area depart every five minutes at CNY16/person, taking about an hour and a half, or if the bus uses the highway it takes only an hour at CNY18. They operate from 6:30-17:30. Once at the scenic area, travelers can take the shuttle bus to the peak.
City buses 1, 2, 8, and 9 stop at Huangshan Bus Station and cost CNY1.
Huangshan Scenic Area Bus Station: the station is located at the foot of Huangshan (the Yellow Mountains) and is also called the New National Line Transfer Center. This station has direct long-distance buses leaving for Shanghai and the major cities of Jiangsu Province and Jiangxi Province.
It is 64 km from Huangshan (Tunxi) Bus Station, costing CNY13, and taking about an hour. A taxi costs about CNY100. At the station National Line shuttle buses and taxis go via Huangshan Gate to the mountain's cable car stations, costing CNY10/person.
When going from Beijing, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Hefei, Tongling, Anqing, Nanjing, and Wuhu by bus, remember to ask in advance if the bus stops at Tangkou Bus Station, which will save an hour or so.
6. By Ship
In the north of Huangshan City is the Yangtze River. Yangtze River cruises between Chongqing/Yichang and Shanghai pass through Huangshan. If interested, one could take the cruise and disembark in Guichi, and then take a bus to Huangshan City or the Yellow Mountains. However, this is not what we recommend, considering there are planes, trains, and buses that are much more convenient and time-saving.
Transport Between Huangshan City and Other Main Cities
From Shanghai to Huangshan City: there is a daily flight from Shanghai to Huangshan City or vice versa. It takes one hour. By train, It takes you about 12 hours to get to Huangshan City.
One of the advantages of the night train is that it saves you the cost of one-night accommodation and allows you a full-day exploration of the fantastic scenery up the Yellow Mountains after your arrival.
From Hangzhou to Huangshan City: at present, the bus is the only means of transportation between Hangzhou and Huangshan City. It is 250km between Hangzhou and Tunxi (downtown Huangshan City), about a 2.5-hour drive on the way.
From Beijing to Huangshan City: you can get to Huangshan City from Beijing either by train or by flight. It takes you only about 2 hours by flight while it takes you about 20 hours by train. On the other hand, trains are much cheaper than airplanes. In general, there is no discount for flight tickets on this air route.
Getting Around Huangshan City
Huangshan City is not very big. In the city public buses and taxis are the main transportation.
1. By Taxi
For foreigners in Huangshan City, taking a taxi is much more convenient. However, note that very few taxi drivers speak or understand English, so it would be wise to take a name card of your hotel or other destinations in Chinese to make sure the driver knows where you are going.
The flagdown rate is CNY5 including the first three kilometers, and the fuel surcharge after three kilometers is CNY1.5 per kilometer. It costs only CNY12 or so for the about 7-minute ride between the railway station and Tunxi Old Street.
2. By Public Bus
There are in total 13 bus lines in the city and most cost CNY1. All bus information is in Chinese and change is not available. Note that there are no direct buses between the city center and Huangshan Scenic Area.
3. By Rickshaw
In front of Huangshan Railway Station, there are plenty of rickshaws. The initial rate is often CNY2/person, but most drivers will negotiate with you a certain price depending on your destination. Remember to bargain hard when the price is too high.
Top Attractions
Huangshan City is a picturesque place with many fascinating attractions. There is the world-famous Huangshan Mountain, with its unique pine trees, grotesque rocks, a sea of clouds, and hot springs. There are also the ancient Huizhou towns, featuring whitewashed walls, black tiles, and quaint bridges over streams. Each place exudes its unique charm, drawing people to explore its beauty and stories.
Hongcun Village
Hongcun Village is located in the place which is about 10 kilometers off the northeast part of Yixian County. An ancient village over 800 years old leaning against Mt. Huangshan, it is folded in the fog of Mt Huangshan, which makes it look like a natural landscape painting. The famous film "Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon" was made here.
Aside from the natural beauties of Yellow Mountain, visitors should also make time to admire Hongcun Village. This picturesque village is more than 800 years old and is enshrouded in the fog and mystique of the range. At a glance, it seems to be a landscape painting in the flesh; in fact, Hongcun has inspired many artists throughout the centuries. Also, many scenes from the visually celebrated film, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” were filmed here.
It is surrounded by a moat that comes out of storybooks, with bridges and a half-moon-shaped pond in the heart of the village completing the dram. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its untouched scenes featuring homes and streets that have not been updated by modernity.
Beginning-to-Believe Peak
This incredible site stands at 1,668 meters tall and is one of the 36 smaller peaks of Huangshan Mountain which features interesting pine trees and exaggerated stones wrapped by eerie but loving greenery.
Peach Blossom Peak
This is another one of the 36 peaks of Huangshan Mountain. Every March and April, the peak blossoms with red and pink flowers due to the peach trees found here.
Lion Peak
Standing at 1,690 meters tall, Lion Peak has its name because it looks like a strong lion stretched across the range. This is one of the best places in the park to view the sunrise, the Cloud Sea over the peaks, and the brightly lit moonsky.
Flying Stone
This 39-foot tall, 8-meter long, and 360-ton rock balanced on a seemingly flimsy ledge seems to defy physics. It has its name because it seems to fly from heaven itself. It is also called Feilai Stone.
Bright Summit
This is the 2nd highest summit in Huangshan and an ideal spot from which to observe the Cloud Sea. Sunrise is also marvelous from this vantage point.
Sunrise and Sunset
The sun rises in the east as it does throughout the world. The best places to catch a sunrise in Huangshan are Dawn Pavilion, Refreshing Platform, Lion Peak, Rosy Clouds Peak, Bright Peak Summit, Jade Screen Peak, Lotus Blossom Peak, and Heavenly Capital Peak. In the summer and autumn, the sun rises between 4:40 am and 5:10 am; in spring and winter, the sun wakes up between 5:30 and 6: 00.
Tunxi Ancient Street
Tunxi Ancient Street has a century-old history that dates back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) in which Emperor Huizong (1082-1135) shifted his throne of government to Lin'an when numerous architects, craftsmen, and workmen were conscripted to construct it as the new capital.
The street is paved with burgundy flagstones with a total length of 1,273 meters (about 1,392 yards), out of which 895 meters (about 979 yards) is the pedestrian commercial street. Along the street, many shops have existed for over one hundred years.
Shexian County
Shexian County, a famous historical and cultural city, is situated in the southeastern part of Anhui Province, under the foot of the renowned Yellow Mountain. Surrounded by crystal-clear water and green mountains, it is rich in cultural relics, memorial arches, memorial temples, and residences. The county is an art museum of classical architecture.
Jiuhua Mountain
Jiuhua Mountain covers an area of 100 square kilometers southwest of Qingyang County and Anhui Province, both of which are not far from the picturesque Mt. Huangshan. The range boasts 99 peaks and 18 scenic spot in its vicinity. With its marvelous landscape and pleasant climate, Mount Jiuhua is considered one of the best summer resorts in China.
Adding to its already-established popularity as a tourist destination is a holy site where Buddhists assemble. It has been established as one of the four sacred Buddhist shrines, along with Mount Putuoshan in Zhejiang, Mount Emei in Sichuan, and Mount Wutai in Shanxi.
Xidi Village
Construction of Xidi Village began during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and so far it has a history of over 9 centuries. The village is famed for being the Ming and Qing Dynasty Local Residence Museum.
Shexian Tangyue Memorial Arches
Shexian is a county located at the southern foot of Huangshan Mountain in the upper reaches of the Xin’an River, spectacularly surrounded by mountains and streams. Also known as the “The Town of the Arches”, is the best place to view residential architecture and memorial arches from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Few of these Arches are from Ming Dynasty while four are from the Qing Dynasty.
Tachuan Village
Compared to the well-known scenic attraction, Hongcun Village in east China's Anhui Province, the neighboring Tachuan Village seems a bit off the beaten track, situated just on the tip between Hongcun and the Bamboo Sea. However, a walk-in Tachuan Village will offer you a glimpse of the joys of a simple life for residents, as well as the enchanting natural sceneries and fascinating Hui-style architecture, while avoiding crowds.
The Four Treasurers on Yellow Mountain
The 4 treasures on Huang Mountain are the pine tree, Kistler rock, Clouds Sea, and Hot Spring.
Pine Tree
If not for glacial movements, Huangshan would not exist. When the land came back to life, it also gave birth to many different kinds of pine trees. They are variants of the Chinese Pine and are unique due to the special topography and climate found here.
These pines grow in areas 800 meters above sea level and have a great relationship with the natural environment. How do these trees manage to grow on the steep slopes? Their seeks drop into cracks in the granite and then germinate and prosper.
Kistler Rock
Rock admiring is much like cloud watching; you can always find a shape that they resemble. There are more than 120 such rocks in Huangshan with outlines that remind viewers of people, animals, and other interesting items. These named rocks also take on different shapes when seen from various angles. Along with their pine tree neighbors, the combination elicits the feel of a painting coming to life.
Clouds Sea
Clouds and mountains come hand in hand. The cloudscapes in Yellow Mountain are infamous and are beautiful throughout the year. The best time is perhaps winter, November to February, when the scenes are at their most dramatic. The best places to see the clouds as they evolve are Lotus Peak, Heavenly Peak, and Bright Summit. A panorama of the sunrise is sure to cure your soul.
Hot spring
Seeking a relaxing option? Visit the hot springs of Yellow Mountain which originate from Ziyun Peak. The water, about 42 degrees Celsius all year round, contains bicarbonate and can be used to bathe or even drink! It is said that natural baths are ideal for ailing digestive problems, the nervous system, cardiovascular network, and metabolism rate.
Accommodation
There are a handful of fine hotels to choose from on top of Yellow Mountain. They are well serviced with temperature controls since it can get very cold at night (as far as 10 degrees Celsius or lower). These hotels make for very convenient places to reside to enjoy more time in Huangshan City.
Some hotels in the region include Baiyun Hotel and Yupinglou Hotel.
Camping is also an option but not recommended throughout the year due to strong mountainous weather. Budget dorms may be a better choice.
Recommended Huangshan Tours
You can take National Express shuttle buses to enter at the main southern entrance near Tangkou. This is the ideal entrance if coming from Shanghai or Hangzhou. However, many trails are quite far from this entrance. At Tangkou, you can take shuttles to Mercy Light Temple, Yuping (aka Jade Screen) Cable Car, and Yungu (aka Cloud Valley or Yungu New) Cable Car.
Another entrance and cable car is in the north at Taiping, also the best entrance if coming from Hefei, Nanjing, or Anqing. The cable car takes you from Songgu Nunnery in the valley up to Purple Cloud Peak.
We offer tailor-made Huangshan tours according to your interests: hiking, camping, and photography.