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Huangshan Mountain Location & Facts
- Chinese: Huang Shan (黄山)
- Height: The highest peak, Lotus Peak (莲花峰), reaches 1,864 meters (6,115 feet)
- Best Time to Visit: All year round, especially in spring and autumn
- Opening Time: 7:00 - 17:00 on weekdays, 6:30 – 17:30 on weekends and holidays
- Suggested Visiting Length: 1 or 2 days
- Ticket: CN¥190/US$30
- Location: About 50 km (30 miles) north of Huangshan City, Eastern China
Huangshan Mountain, or Mount Huangshan, also known as Yellow Mountian, is located in Huangshan City, southern Anhui Province.
It's about 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Shanghai, 300 kilometers (187 miles) from Hangzhou, making it easy to visit. You can hop on a high-speed train and be there in just 2.5-4 hours!
This stunning mountain is one of China's most famous natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perfect for a quick escape into nature!
Top Natural beauty of Huangshan - Why This Mountain Steals Every Traveler's Heart
This UNESCO World Heritage Site isn't just a mountain; it's a masterpiece of nature and culture. For centuries, poets, painters, monks, and explorers have all been drawn to its beauty—and it's easy to see why. Huangshan is famous for Five Natural Wonders that you won't find anywhere else:
1. Twisted and Ancient Pines: The Symbol of Mt. Huangshan
No Huangshan journey is complete without admiring the gravity-defying pine trees that grow straight out of the cliffs. These pines are uniquely shaped, with twisted branches resembling "natural bonsai," showcasing their innate beauty without artificial embellishments.
The most iconic? Welcoming Guest Pine (迎客松). Its branches spread open like the welcoming embrace of a gracious host.
2. The Sea of Clouds - A Dreamlike and Enchanting Natural Wonder
The Sea of Clouds transforms the peaks into enchanting islands floating in the sky.
One moment you're in a dense fog, and the next, you're above it all—standing on a peak surrounded by fluffy clouds that roll like ocean waves.
The best time? November to May, particularly after rainy or snowy days, during the magical moments of sunrise or sunset.
3. Oddly-Shaped Rocks: Renowned for Unusual Shapes
Huangshan is full of strange and fun-looking rocks. These giant stones look like animals, people, or even stories from legends—just use your imagination!
Some famous ones include:
- Flying-Over Rock – A big rock that looks like it's about to fall off a cliff!
- Monkey Watching the Sea – A stone shaped like a monkey sitting on a peak.
- Immortal Pointing the Way – Looks like a person showing you the direction.
Each rock has its own name and story. Exploring them is like walking through a natural sculpture park!
4. Huangshan Sunrise & Sunset - Reward of Staying Overnight at the Mountaintop
Staying overnight at a mountaintop hotel is the secret to unlocking the mountain's full magic.
In late afternoon, the cliffs and peaks glow in warm orange light, and the “Sea of Clouds” turns pink and gold. It's peaceful, breathtaking, and incredibly photogenic.
Watching the sun rise over the misty peaks is a moment of pure wonder. The clouds shift like waves, and the first light touches the mountain like a brush in a Chinese painting.
- Best Sunset Spots:Bright Summit (光明顶), Lion Peak (狮子峰), Flying-Over Rock (飞来石), Purple Cloud Peak (丹霞峰), Cloud Dispelling Pavilion (排云亭)
- Best Sunrise Spots:Lion Peak (狮子峰), Begin-to-believe Peak (始信峰), Refreshing Terrace (清凉台), Purple Cloud Peak (丹霞峰), Bright Summit (光明顶)
5. Winter Snow - White Fairyland with Less Crowds
In winter, Huangshan turns into a snowy wonderland. Soft snow covers the peaks, trees, and rocks, making the whole mountain shine like a fairy tale.The pines become adorned with crystal-clear rime, resembling glistening jewels. Sometimes, clouds float below the peaks, adding a dreamy feel.
It only snows a few days every winter. The best time to see snow is from December to February. You might also catch amazing sunrises and sunsets, as the light hits the snow and clouds just right.
Must-See Spots in Huangshan Mountain: 3Part Breakdown
To give you a clearer showcase of Huangshan Scenic Area, we divide the area into three parts with Bright Summit as the heart of the mountain. We also provide a corresponding map to mark the locations of popular spots.
The Front Mountains: Grand, Iconic, and Steep
The Front Mountain is famous for its towering peaks and steep stairs, offering one of the most thrilling hikes in Huangshan. For a smoother start, hop on the Yuping Cable Car—it'll save you some legwork!
But be ready, the stairs here are narrow and steep, with some parts so tight only one person can pass at a time.
Top Highlights:
Welcoming Guest Pine (迎客松) – The most famous tree in China, growing from a cliff edge. It is over 800 years old.
Jade Screen Pavilion (玉屏楼) – Postcard views of cliffs, pines, and distant peaks. The upper station of Yuping Cableway. Yuping Hotel is here too.
Lotus Peak (莲花峰) – Narrow steep hiking trails to this highest peak of Huangshan. There is always a long queue for at least 3 hours during its opening time.
Celestial Capital Peak (天都峰) –Also a very steep hiking trail to the top. Even more narrower and longer queues.
(The two peaks are not open at the same time. Only one of them is open to visitors during a 3-5-year cycle.)
The Back Mountains: Peaceful, Poetic, and Pine-Filled
The Back Mountain of Huangshan is a favorite for its twisted pines, quirky rock formations, and more relaxed trails. Compared to the steep Front Mountain, the steps here are much gentler, making it the perfect route for an easier, more comfortable hike.
It's also a great route for descending the mountain—your knees will thank you!
Top highlights including:
Beginning-to-Believe Peak (始信峰) – Full of legendary pine trees and dramatic cliffs.
Lion Peak (狮子峰) – Offers great sunrise views.
Dawn Pavilion (清凉台) – Quiet morning light and cloud sea views.
Stone Monkey Watching the Sea (猴子观海) – A fun-shaped rock perched high above the clouds.
Black Tiger Pine (黑虎松) – Another iconic tree.
West Sea Grand Canyon: Sunset, Clifftop Trails, and Grand Views
Also called Xihai Grand Canyon, this area is dramatic and spectacular, with deep gorges, winding cliff paths, and amazing sunset spots. Many travelers stay overnight here for the best light shows.
Highlights:
Bright Summit (光明顶) – One of the best places to watch sunrise and sunset.
Flying-Over Rock (飞来石) – A giant rock seemingly floating on the edge.
Cloud Dispelling Pavilion (排云亭) – Epic sunset views and cloud photography.
Xihai Grand Canyon (西海大峡谷) – A thrilling trail through peaks and valleys (open spring–autumn).
At the bottom of the gorge, you've got three options to return:
- Challenge yourself by climbing back up the same way for a full-circle adventure.
- Relax with the Xihai Cable Car (one-way monorail tram) for a stress-free ride and stunning views back to Bright Summit.
- Continue hiking towards via Sanxi Bridge and Fairy Walking Bridge, which leads to Bright Summit in about 3 hours.
How to Visit Huangshan Mountain? Hiking or Cable Car?
Huangshan can be explored by hiking up, riding a cable car, or a mix of both. It's up to you and your travel routes plan.
Take a Cable Car – Easy and Time-Saving
If you're short on time or want to save energy for the summit views, cable cars are the way to go. There are three main cableways:
| Cable Car Route | Route Details | Duration | Price (One Way) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yungu Cable Car (云谷索道), South Gate | Yungu Temple (云谷寺) → White Goose Ridge (白鹅岭) | 8–10 mins | ¥80 (peak season) / ¥65 (off-season) |
| Yuping Cable Car (玉屏索道), South Gate | Mercy Light Pavilion (慈光阁) → Yuping Tower (玉屏楼) | 6–8 mins | ¥90 (peak) / ¥75 (off) |
| Taiping Cable Car (太平索道), North Gate | Songgu Nunnery (松谷庵) → Songlin Peak (松林峰) | 8–10 mins | ¥80 (peak) / ¥65 (off) |
Hike Up the Mountain – A True Adventure
Love hiking and want to earn your views? You can hike up from the bottom!
Front Mountain Trails – Steeper, more challenging. Expect 4–6 hours to reach the summit.
Back Mountain Trails – Easier and more gradual. It takes around 3–4 hours to hike up.
Tips: These trails involve thousands of stone steps. They are beautiful, but not easy. Only recommended if you're fit and prepared. Bring one or two trekking poles with you to save energy!
Best Choice? Mix It Up! (Suggested Routes)
Many travelers take a cable car up and hike down, or vice versa. This gives you the best of both worlds—breathtaking views without total exhaustion. Here are 2 popular Huangshan travel routes:
- Option 1: One-Day Exploration from Huangshan City (No Overnight)
Route: Huangshan City → 1-hour driving → South Gate Tourist Centre → Shuttle Bus → Yungu Temple → Yungu Cable Car up → Begin-to-believe Peak → Dispelling Cloud Pavilion → West Sea Grand Canyon → Bright Summit → Flying-over Rock → White Goose Ridge → Yungu Cable Car Down
Walking Distance: about 7~9km/5~6 hrs
- 5 Days Hiking Route through Yungu Cable Car(Overnight on the Mountain)
Day 1 Back Mountain, West Sea Grand Canyon (7~9km/5~6 hrs )
Route: Yungu Cable Way Up → Begin-to-believe Peak → Dispelling Cloud Pavilion → West Sea Grand Canyon → Bright Summit → Flying-over Rock → Hotel on Top
Day 2 Sunrise, Beihai Scenic Area ( 3km/2 hrs)
Route: Sunrise - Dawn Pavilion - Refreshing Terrace - Monkey Gazing at the Sea - Lion Peak - Yungu Cable Way Down
- 2 Days Hiking Route through Yuping Cable Car(Overnight on the Mountain)
Day 1: Front Mountain (11km/6 hrs)
Route: Yuping Cable Way - Greeting Guest Pine - One Hundred Cloud Ladder - One-Line-Sky - Bright Summit - Flying-over Rock - Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion
Day 2: Sunrise, West Sea Grand Canyon, Back Mountain (7km/5 hrs)
Route: Sunrise - West Sea Grand Canyon - Lion Peak - Begin-to-Believe Peak - Yungu Cable Way
Where to Stay Overnight on Huangshan Top - Hotel on Huangshan Mountain
The hotels on the mountain have relatively basic facilities, yet their room fees are much higher than those in cities as the food and goods are carried up by porters on foot. For environmental protection, these hotels do not provide free and disposable toiletries.
- Baiyun Hotel (4-star): most popular hotel with a prime location, from US$130
Baiyun Hotel is next to Bright Summit, which is the best place to see sunrises, sunsets, and seas of clouds all over the mountaintop. It always reaches full occupancy.
- Huangshan Paiyun Hotel (5-star): the best conditions and highest prices, from US$164
It is the most comfortable hotel on the mountaintop with the best facilities, standing just close to the Cloud Dispelling Pavilion. It is 5 minutes away from the Xihai Hotel.
- Yupinglou Hotel (3-star): old with poor location, not recommended, from US$98
It is near the Yuping Cableway, close to the Greeting Guest Pine. It is very convenient for hiking the Lotus Peak or Celestial Capital Peak. However, it's not friendly to sunrise and sunset.
- Xihai Hotel (4-star): highly recommended, from US$120
Xihan Hotel is located near the Cloud Dispelling Pavilion (the best spot to see both sunrise and sunset), nestled against Purple Cloud Peak (the entrance of the Xihai Grand Canyon).
- Huangshan Shilin Hotel (4-star): an old photography theme hotel, from US$98
It is located at an elevation of 1630 meters, nestled against Lion Peak with a surrounding pine forest. It will take 5 minutes to walk to Refreshing Terrace, which is the best spot to see sunrises.
Best Time to Visit Huangshan Mountain
The best time to visit Huangshan Mountain is spring and autumn, when the weather is mild, and the landscape shows off its full charm.
In spring, from March to May, the mountain bursts into life. The weather is comfortable for hiking, and the famous sea of clouds begins to roll in, giving you that magical view of the peaks floating above the mist. Plus, the ancient pines are surrounded by lush greenery, creating the perfect setting for photographs.
Autumn, especially in October and November, is equally stunning. The cool air and clear skies make hiking a dream, and the mountain's oddly-shaped rocks and twisted pines stand out against the golden hues of fall. This is also when the sunsets are particularly breathtaking, with the warm colors painting the sky.
While winter (December to February) brings a serene beauty, with snow-covered peaks and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, it can be a bit challenging for hiking due to the cold and slippery paths. So, for a more comfortable and breathtaking experience, spring and autumn are your golden seasons to visit Huangshan!
How to Get to Huangshan Mountain?
Huangshan Mountain is easily accessible from major cities like Hangzhou and Shanghai. The mountain is about 60 kilometers from Huangshan City, which serves as the gateway to the scenic area, and the drive takes roughly one hour.
How to Plan A Hangzhou Huangshan Tour
How to Plan a Shanghai to Huangshan Tour? (2025 Itinerary)
Here's how you can reach Huangshan City:
By Air:
The nearest airport to Huangshan is Huangshan Tunxi International Airport (TXN). It offers regular flights from major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. From the airport, a taxi or shuttle bus can take you to the city center in about 30 minutes.
By High-speed Train:
If you prefer to travel by train, you can easily reach Huangshan North Railway Station via high-speed trains from major cities:
- Shanghai (about 3 hours)
- Hangzhou (about 1.5 hours)
- Beijing (about 7 hours)
- Xi'an (about 7.5 hours)
- Chengdu (about 11.5 hours)
Once you reach Huangshan City, you can take a bus, taxi, or private transfer to the foot of the mountain, where you can board the Yungu Cable Car for a quick ride up to the scenic area. The whole journey is convenient, and the excitement grows as you approach one of China's most iconic natural wonders!
Nearby Attractions: Huangshan Mountain Villages
The surrounding Huangshan Mountain Villages offer their own unique charm and are well worth a visit. These villages provide a glimpse into traditional life in the region, with their ancient architecture, picturesque landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.
| Village Name | Highlight Features | Distance from Huangshan |
|---|---|---|
| Hongcun Village | UNESCO World Heritage Site, charming water system, classic Chinese ink-painting look | ~15 km (~30 min by car) |
| Xidi Village | Well-preserved Huizhou-style mansions, cobbled lanes, ancient family halls | ~20 km (~40 min by car) |
| Tachuan Village | Famous for autumn foliage (especially late October–early November) | ~3 km from Hongcun |
| Nanping Village | Quiet, less touristy, over 300 ancient residences and 36 ancestral halls | ~25 km (~45 min by car) |
| Chengkan Village | Based on ancient Chinese geomancy (Bagua layout), maze-like alleyways | ~40 km (~1 hr by car) |
Visiting these Huangshan Mountain Villages allows you to experience the perfect blend of natural beauty and rich cultural history, providing an unforgettable complement to your Huangshan Mountain adventure!
Tips for Visiting the Yellow Mountain
- Choose the right season: Visit during spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October) for pleasant weather and beautiful scenery.
- Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers for hiking. Carry essentials like water, snacks, sunscreen, and a raincoat.
- Consider staying overnight on the mountain for a serene experience and breathtaking sunrises/sunsets. Book accommodation in advance.
- Take the cable car or hike the scenic trails based on your preference and fitness level.
- Wake up early to witness the sunrise/sunset. Consult with locals for the best viewing spots.
- Check the weather forecast and be prepared for changes. Some trails may be closed during bad weather.
- Respect the environment by following designated paths and properly disposing of waste.
Explore Huangshan with Local-based Asia Odyssey Travel
Headquartered in China with a local team based in Huangshan, Asia Odyssey Travel is dedicated to providing the best service and ensuring an authentic and unforgettable experience for those looking to explore Huangshan. Our local team offers a range of carefully designed tours, including classic Huangshan tours, Huangshan Hiking Tours, Huangshan Ancient Town Tours, Shanghai Huangshan tours, and Hangzhou Huangshan tours to meet your needs and desires, ensuring a pleasant holiday during your Huangshan tour. Our professional travel consultants are always ready to help you customize your Huangshan tour at the most favorable local prices. Contact us now to start planning your dream Huangshan trip!
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