Mount Huangshan
Attractions Overview: The most fantastic mountain in all the land
Attraction Type: World cultural and natural heritage
Chinese Name: 黄山
English Name: Mount Huangshan
Best Time to Visit: All Year Round
Recommended Visiting Time: 3 Days
Open Hours: 06:30~16:30
Admission Fee: 190 RMB / Person
Address in English: Huangshan City, Anhui Province
Address in Chinese: 安徽省黄山市
Overview
Huangshan (黄山), or the Yellow Mountain, located in Anhui Province, is one of China’s most celebrated natural wonders. Known as the “Number One Mountain Under Heaven (天下第一奇山),” it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a frequent subject of traditional Chinese paintings and poetry. With its dramatic granite peaks, mystical seas of clouds, and ancient pine trees, Huangshan offers a truly magical experience for travelers.
History & Culture 📜
Huangshan has inspired generations of scholars and artists:
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✒️ Celebrated in classic Chinese poetry and ink paintings.
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🧭 Once an important stop for pilgrims, scholars, and Taoist hermits.
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🖌️ Its landscapes symbolize the spirit of Chinese aesthetics – harmony between humans and nature.
Highlights of Huangshan 🌟
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🌲 The Famous Pines (迎客松)
Iconic pine trees growing on sheer cliffs, including the legendary “Welcoming-Guest Pine.” -
⛰️ The Unique Peaks
Over 70 peaks, with Lotus Peak (莲花峰), Bright Summit (光明顶), and Celestial Peak (天都峰) among the most stunning. -
☁️ The Sea of Clouds
A breathtaking sight where the peaks rise above rolling clouds – best viewed after rain or at sunrise. -
💧 Hot Springs & Canyons
Relax in natural hot springs and explore the mystical Xihai Grand Canyon. -
🌄 Sunrise & Sunset
Watching the sun rise or set over Huangshan’s peaks is an unforgettable highlight.
Best Ways to Experience 🚶♂️
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Hiking: Multiple trails offer chances to explore different peaks and valleys.
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Cable Cars 🚡: Convenient rides take you quickly to high viewpoints.
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Photography 📸: Capture the famous “four wonders” – odd-shaped pines, spectacular peaks, seas of clouds, and hot springs.
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Stay Overnight 🏨: Spend a night on the mountain to catch both sunset and sunrise.
Best Time to Visit ⏳
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Spring (April–June): Blooming flowers and fresh greenery.
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Summer (July–August): Lush forests and cooling mountain air.
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Autumn (September–November): Clear skies and golden foliage.
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Winter (December–February): Snow-covered peaks create a fairy-tale world.
Travel Tips 💡
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👟 Wear sturdy hiking shoes – some paths are steep.
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🧥 Bring layers, as temperatures vary between the base and the summit.
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📷 Don’t miss sunrise – check weather forecasts to plan.
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🍲 Try Anhui cuisine specialties in nearby Tunxi Old Street.
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🚉 Easy access from Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing by high-speed train.
Why Visit Huangshan? 🌏
Huangshan is not just a mountain – it is a living masterpiece of nature and art. With its mystical landscapes, cultural significance, and stunning views, Huangshan promises travelers one of the most unforgettable experiences in China.
Main Attractions in Mount Huangshan
The Strange Pines
Pines can be seen in every corner of Mt. Huangshan. You will be amazed by their vitality and strength .The pines grow very slowly due to the poor soil and climatic conditions.he pine of Mount Huangshan is also surprising in its unique natural shape. Every single tree is beautiful in different way. According to their different shape and characteristic, people give them special names, such as the Guest-Greeting Pine, is the representative of the pines of Mount Huangshan.
The Absurd Rocks
Spectacular rocky peaks will inspire your imagination. The absurd rocks can be seen everywhere in Mount Huangshan. And some stones are even very mystery. If the viewing position and angle changed, the appearance of the stone is also changed, you can see different things in a single stone, in Chinese, its called “一石二景or移步换景 ”. Such as “magpies on the plum” is also called “God shows the way”.
The Sea of Clouds
Mt. Huangshan is home of clouds and mists. Although you can see the sea of clouds in other mountains, none of them can match it in Mount Huangshan. The sea of clouds in Huangshan is so spectacular and changeable. It is why Mount Huangshan has another name called “the Yellow Sea” . Because in Ming Dynasty, a famous historian named Pan Zhiheng(潘之恒), lived in Mount Huangshan for decades, and he had wrote a book about Mount Huangshan, called “the Yellow Sea”. What’s more, winter is the best season for this spectacle. If you climb up the Lotus Peak, you will find yourself above the level of the clouds and they appear as a sea beneath you. All the colors seem more vivid in the sunshine. The clouds are forever changing, from being like a mirror when all is calm to rolling waves when the wind is strong.
Hot Spring
To be able to refresh yourself in the hot springs on Mt. Huangshan must be one of the best ways of enjoyment and relaxation. In ancient times, hot spring is called “Tangquan”(汤泉). The temperature of the water is kept at 42 degrees annually, and the quality of the water is also very good, it contains many mineral which good for human body. But the water is only for bath, not for drink. It is said that Emperor Huangdi, the ancestor of the Chinese nation, Bathed here for 49 days before he ascended to heaven and became immortal.
Hiking Roads:
The Yellow Mountain can be divided into front and back parts. The front mountains are steep and difficult to climb, but Chinese tourists like to go up from the front part. The hiking route we highly recommended is taking the Yungu cable car up to the back mountains, and then visiting the North Sea Area and the West Sea Area. There are three reasons: Firstly, the scenery in back parts is concentrated, which is more suitable for viewing. Secondly, this is a good a way to avoid crowding among Chinese tourists. Thirdly, best hotels on the top of the mountain are very close to the Yungu cable car station. The above is just a suggestion. We can arrange more reasonable hiking routes according to your time, budget, energy and specific interests.
Route 1: From the Yungu Cableway — Highly Recommended
Route 2: From the Yuping Cableway — the Crowded Classic
Route 3: Northern Morning Walk with Asia’s Longest Telpher
Useful Travel Tips
- Bring a daypack for mountain walking and things for a day or two’s stay at mountain hotels in a backpack. The rest (cases, etc.) should be left at a hotel in Huangshan City or at the bottom of the mountain.
- Generally, the ticket is valid for one entry with an unlimited stay length. So if you want to spend more than one day there, you can camp or lodge in a hotel within the scenic area.
