Huangshan Travelers Recommend

With just one day in Huangshan, spend it on Mount Huangshan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the highlight of any trip to the area. Here’s how to make the most of one day in Huangshan and see the top attractions on the mountain.

Morning: Cable Cars and Scenic Vistas

Get an early start from your Huangshan-area hotel and opt for a guided tour to make the most of your day and minimize transport times. With just one day, there’s not enough time to hike up or down, since even the shortest approach takes two to three hours each way. Take advantage of the cable cars, which typically start running before 7am. For independent travel, take a shuttle bus to the Yungu cable car, and then take the cable car up and hike to sights such as Beginning-to-Believe Peak, and its many ancient pine trees, followed by Brush Pen Peak.

Afternoon: The Wonders of Mount Huangshan

Refuel with lunch at one of the hotels on the mountain. Afterwards, hike up to Bright Peak, the second highest peak on the mountain, before continuing on to highlights such as Flying-Over-Rock and Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion, one of the best places to view three of the four “wonders” of Mount Huangshan: the jagged and odd-shaped granite rocks, the windswept pine trees, and the sea of clouds. It also offers a view down into the stunning Xihai Grand Canyon. Other popular options include Black Tiger Pine, Lion Peak, and Fascinating Pavilion. Then take the cable car back down.

Evening: Hot Springs and Ancient Streets

Stop at one of the on-mountain hot springs, the last “wonders” of Mount Huangshan—located at the lower front slopes of the Mount Huangshan Scenic Area. Enjoy a therapeutic soak while admiring the scenic views. Travel back to Huangshan city and head to Tunxi Old Street. Explore the historic area, with its flagstone streets and traditional Chinese buildings dating to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Admire the architecture, sample some tea, shop for local products and souvenirs, or grab dinner to wrap up a full day.

With three days in Huangshan, you can explore a few of the scenic ancient towns, and spend the night on Mount Huangshan, allowing you to see some of the top attractions and sites on the mountain. Here's how to make the most of 72 hours in the area.

Day 1: Ancient Streets and Villages

Start the day with a visit to 800-year-old Hongcun Village, which appeared in the film,Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Explore on foot or by bike and admire the Hui architecture and Moon Lake. Enjoy a home-cooked meal with a local family. Explore nearby Tachuan Village or Xidi Village, a classic Anhui village dating back 1,000 years. Alternatively, head to Tangmo Village, known as “Small West Lake.” Or explore Tangyue Memorial Arches, a collection of tall stone gateway and roof structures. Back in Huangshan City, shop for souvenirs, go tea tasting, or have dinner on well preserved Tunxi Old Street.

Day 2: Huangshan Peaks and Valleys

Spend today and tomorrow exploring the main highlight of the region, Mount Huangshan. Most hikers head up the Eastern Steps (the Western Steps take longer). Otherwise, arrive by cable car. Be on the look out for three of the four “wonders” of Mount Huangshan: wind-carved pines, jagged granite peaks, and sea of clouds. Start at Beginning-to-Believe Peak and then explore Mushroom Pavilion or Brush Pen Peak. After lunch, hike to popular attractions such as Turtle Cave, Black Tiger Pine, and Fascinating Pavilion. Sunset viewing options include Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion, Purple Cloud Peak, and Fairy-Walking Bridge. Turn in early to accommodate tomorrow's plans.

Day 3: Huangshan Views and Hot Springs

Get up early enough to catch the sunrise at Refreshing Terrace, Monkey-Watching-the-Sea-of-Clouds, or Dawn Pavilion. Reward yourself with breakfast, and then head to Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion for views of rock formations, the sea of clouds, and the Xihai Grand Canyon. Hike the circular path down the canyon. There’s a monorail to take you back up. Then, ease your tired muscles with a soak in Huangshan Hot Springs, one of the four “wonders” of Mount Huangshan. They're in the tourist zone on the lower front slopes of the mountain, and most are open late.

With two days in Huangshan, it’s possible to see both the sunset and sunrise from Mount Huangshan. There’s also time to see more of the attractions on the mountain. Read on for how to make the most of two days in Huangshan.

Day 1: Hiking and Sightseeing

**Morning:**With two days, keen hikers have time to walk up the mountain—use the Eastern Steps, which take two to three hours, versus the longer Western Steps. Everyone else should take a cable car to save time and energy. Start at the North Sea Scenic Area and Beginning-to-Believe Peak. Visit Mushroom Pavilion or Brush Pen Peak nearby.

**Afternoon:**Enjoy lunch at a mountain-top hotel, and then continue sightseeing. Head to Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion, which offers views of Xihai Grand Canyon. Hike down the circular path into the canyon, and take the monorail back up. Get to one of the viewpoints—Purple Cloud Peak, Fairy-Walking Bridge and Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion—to watch the sunset.

**Evening:**Enjoy dinner, and make it an early night to rest up for a pre-dawn wake-up, though entertainment options range from foot massages to karaoke bars.

Day 2: Mountain and Village Scenes

**Morning:**Get up early to catch the sunrise. Popular viewpoints include Refreshing Terrace, Dawn Pavilion, and Monkey-Watching-the-Sea-of-Clouds. Afterwards, fuel up with breakfast at your hotel before setting out to see additional attractions such Lion Peak, Lotus Pavilion, Turtle Rock, and Fascinating Pavilion.

**Afternoon:**Depending on your preference, explore the mountain, including its temples and waterfalls, or take the cable car down. Soak in the hot springs at the base of the mountain, or head to a nearby scenic villages, such as Hongcun or Tongmo. Most have a history going back nearly a thousand years and offer examples of classic Hui architecture.

**Evening:**Stay for dinner in the village or head back to Huangshan City and check out Tunxi Old Street. It’s one of the best-preserved ancient streets in China and still features buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Explore the street, grab a bite to eat, and pick up souvenirs.