Discover the ethereal beauty of Huangshan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its granite peaks, ancient pine trees, and sea of clouds. This itinerary combines epic hikes, cultural gems, and practical tips for seamless travel.

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Day 1: Arrival & Cultural Immersion

Theme: Explore ancient villages, prepare for hiking.

Morning: Arrival in Huangshan

• 7:00–9:00 AM: Land at Huangshan Tunxi International Airport.
  • Transfer Options:
    • Taxi/Didi: Pre-book a taxi via Didi (China’s Uber) to Tangkou Town (￥150–180, 1 hour).
    • Shuttle Bus: Airport to Tangkou Bus Station (￥30, 1.5 hours).
  • Pro Tip: Download Alipay/WeChat Pay for cashless transactions, and get a portable Wi-Fi device at the airport for connectivity.

Check-in: Hongcun Village

• Hotel Recommendation:
  • 🏨 Blossom Hill Inn (宏村花山居)
    • Why: Traditional Huizhou architecture with courtyard views, English-speaking staff, and free luggage storage.
    • Cost: ￥400–600/night.
• Alternative: Pig’s Heaven Inn (碧山猪栏酒吧客栈) – Quirky, artsy vibe in a restored Ming Dynasty building.

10:00 AM–12:30 PM: Hongcun Ancient Village

• Highlights:
  • Nanhu Lake (南湖): Walk across the arched bridge for iconic photos of traditional houses mirrored in water.
  • Chenzhi Hall (承志堂): Intricate wood carvings from the Qing Dynasty.
• Photo Tip: Sunrise (6:00–7:00 AM) or sunset (5:30–6:30 PM) offers magical lighting over the village.

Lunch:

• 🍴 De Xing Lou (得兴楼) in Hongcun.
  • Must-Try: Huizhou Stewed Pork Braised in Soy Sauce (徽州红烧肉) and Bamboo Shoots with Ham.

Afternoon: Transfer to Huangshan Scenic Area

• 2:00 PM: Take a taxi (￥50, 30 mins) from Hongcun to Yungu Cable Station.
• Cable Car: Ride the Yungu Cable Car (云谷索道) to White Goose Ridge (￥80, 10 mins).

Check-in: Mountain-Top Hotel

• Hotel Recommendation:
  • 🏨 Xihai Hotel (西海饭店)
    • Why: Best location for sunrise views, modern rooms with heating, and bilingual staff.
    • Cost: ￥800–1,200/night (book 2+ months in advance via Trip.com).

Evening Hike & Dinner

• 5:00–6:30 PM: Hike from Xihai Hotel to Bright Summit Peak (光明顶).
  • Viewpoint: Panoramas of the “Sea of Clouds” at sunset (arrive 30 mins early for prime spots).
• Dinner: Hotel buffet (￥100–150/person).
  • Try: Wild Mushroom Soup and Stir-Fried Ferns.

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Day 2: Sunrise & Epic Hiking

Theme: Summit peaks, cloud forests, and iconic trails.

5:00 AM: Sunrise at Bright Summit Peak

• Photo Gear: Tripod, wide-angle lens (16–35mm).
• Pro Tip: Wear layers – temperatures drop to 5–10°C even in summer.

Breakfast:

• Grab a quick meal at Xihai Hotel (6:00–7:00 AM).

Morning Hike: West Sea Grand Canyon (西海大峡谷)

• Route: Xihai Hotel → Fairy Walking Bridge (步仙桥) → Bottom of the Canyon (3–4 hours).
  • Highlights: Walk along vertigo-inducing plank paths clinging to cliffs.
  • Cable Car Option: Ride the Canyon Tram (西海大峡谷地轨缆车) back up (￥100, 5 mins).

Lunch:

• Pack snacks (energy bars, nuts) or eat at Sky Sea Snack Bar near Baiyun Hotel (simple noodles, ￥50/person).

Afternoon Exploration: Lotus Peak (莲花峰) or Celestial Capital Peak (天都峰)

• Note: These peaks rotate closure periods for preservation. Check current status.
  • Lotus Peak: Highest peak (1,864m) with 360° views.
  • Celestial Capital Peak: Thrilling “Heavenly Stairs” with chains for gripping.

Sunset Option:

• Lion Peak (狮子峰): Less crowded alternative to Bright Summit.

Dinner:

• Hotel meal or splurge at Shilin Restaurant (獅林大酒店) near Beihai Hotel.
  • Must-Try: Braised Yellow Mountain Frog (seasonal), Vegetable Hotpot.

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Day 3: Farewell to the Peaks & Departure

Theme: Final vistas, return to base, and local cuisine.

Morning: Dawn at Refreshing Terrace (清凉台)

• Best for: Mist-shrouded pine trees and soft golden-hour light.

Breakfast & Check-out:

• Check out by 8:30 AM and trek downhill via Jade Screen Cable Car (玉屏索道) (￥90).
  • En Route: Visit Welcoming Guest Pine (迎客松) for a classic Huangshan photo.

Lunch in Tangkou Town:

• 🍴 Old Street No.1 Restaurant (老街第一楼):
  • Must-Try: Huangshan Stinky Tofu (bold flavor!), Bamboo Rice (糯米竹筒饭).

Afternoon Activity Options:

1. Tunxi Ancient Street (屯溪老街): Buy souvenirs (inkstones, tea) and sample Maofeng Tea Ice Cream.
2. Bamboo Rafting at翡翠谷 (Emerald Valley): Tranquil pools and waterfalls (￥60 entry).

Departure:

• 4:00 PM: Take a taxi/shuttle to Tunxi Airport (1 hour).
• Flight Tip: Ensure you arrive 2.5 hours early for international departures.

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Essential Tips

1. Footwear: Wear waterproof hiking boots with ankle support.
2. Weather Check: Huangshan has 200+ foggy days annually – pack a lightweight raincoat.
3. Photography Gear: Polarizing filter for misty landscapes, spare batteries.
4. Altitude Sickness: Summits reach 1,800m; stay hydrated and pace hikes.

Enjoy your journey through Huangshan’s “land of immortality” – where every turn feels like stepping into a classical Chinese painting!