As far as scenic areas go, there is perhaps no other place in China that can match Huangshan, also known as Yellow Mountain. Found in the Anhui province, Huangshan was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. The scenic area is simply magnificent and unforgettable with lofty and steep peaks and rocks. The landscape is in fact so inspiring that there are a number of Taoist constructions and influences in the area, providing tranquility to a beautiful religion.
Huangshan is found in a subtropical zone with an average annual temperature of 8 degrees Celsius. 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.
Huangshan’s transportation options are well developed since it is a top destination in the area and in China. Buses, taxies, trains, and airlines connect the city with outside hubs such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing, Xian, and more.
From Shanghai, there are 2 trains daily from Shanghai Railway Station: K782 and K8418. The journey is about 12 hours. Taking a flight is highly recommended which is just 1 hour's ride departing from Shanghai Hongqiao airport without stopover.
From Hangzhou, take a bus from Hangzhou West Bus Station. There are 5 direct routes every day until mid afternoon. The journey is about 3 hours.
For more information about getting to and getting around Huangshan, just click Huangshan transportation.
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 grennery.
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.
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, Cloud Sea over the peaks, and the brightly lit moon sky.
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.
This is the 2nd highest summit in Huangshan and an ideal spot from which to observe Cloud Sea. Sunrise is also marvelous from this vantage point.
The sun rises in the east as it does throughout the world. The best places to catch a sunrise in Huangshan are from 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 4:40am and 5:10am; in spring and winter, the sun wakes up between 5:30am and 6am.
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. As well, many scenes from the visually celebrated film, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” was filmed here.
Hongcun 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.
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 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.
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 really elicits the feel of a painting come to life.
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 place to see the clouds as they evolve is from Lotus Peak, Heavenly Peak, and Bright Summit. A panorama of the sunrise is sure to cure your soul.
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 biocarbonate and can be used to bathe or even drink! It is said that the natural baths are ideal for ailing digestive problems, the nervous system, cardiovascular network, and metabolism rate.
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 in order to enjoy more time at Huangshan.
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.
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 are 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 acccording to your interests: hiking, camping, photograph and more. Check out tours listed below or contact us for more.
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