5 Days Wangxian Valley Tour: Cliffside Fairyland to Yellow Mountain’s Peaks

Welcome to Shangrao, the gateway to Wangxian Valley (望仙谷). Upon your arrival at Shangrao Railway Station, a local guide and driver will greet you and transfer you to Wangxian Valley (about 50 km, 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, your guide will help you check in and take a short break.

Arrival Ideas:

Shangrao is easily accessible by high-speed train from several major cities across China. You can reach Shangrao from Shanghai (2.5 - 3 hours, chosen by 80% of tourists ), Hangzhou (2 hours ), Nanchang (1 hour ), Jingdezhen (1 hour ), Beijing (8 hours ), Xi'an (8.5 hours ), etc.

As dusk settles and the lights begin to glow, the contours of the cliffside buildings In Wangxian Valley become clearly outlined in warm, soft light. The entire mountain cliff transforms, seemingly a "Heavenly Palace on Cloud Nine" descended from a myth.

It's truly a sight that brings to mind the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai's lines:

"危楼高百尺，手可摘星辰。不敢高声语，恐惊天上人。"

"High towers reach a hundred feet, one can almost pluck the stars. Dare not speak aloud, for fear of startling the immortals in the heavens."

Strolling through Wangxian Valley, you'll feel as if you've stepped into a vibrant "Wuxia" (martial arts hero) world, with an ancient and mysterious Eastern realm unfolding before your eyes. Winding paths, flanked by perilous cliffs and cascading waterfalls, lead you past quaint tea houses and pavilions that seemingly teeter on the mountainside. You might even stumble upon an acrobatic "Jianghu 江湖" street performance or learn a "sword dance" from an NPC, as if you've walked right into a scene from a Jin Yong novel.

By day, Wangxian Valley (望仙谷) offers a completely different, yet equally enchanting, experience. Time truly slows down here, revealing the charming Gan-style (Jiangxi) ambiance. Above cascading waterfalls, an ancient town clings to the mountainside. Its earthen walls with yellow plaster, dark grey tiles, and rammed earth houses meticulously preserved, showcasing the original architectural style of Northeast Jiangxi.

Stroll through the intricate network of narrow alleys, discovering unique shops along the way. Admire lanterns, bamboo weaving, and intricate carvings - each handcrafted item a testament to the artisan's dedication and wisdom. The air in the alleys is filled with the tempting aromas of hot noodles (烫粉) and tofu pudding (豆腐脑), inviting you to savor these delicious local flavors.

For the adventurous, take a walk along the glass walkways built directly into the sheer cliffs. Stretching nearly 100 meters above the ground, with rushing rapids and cliffs below, these paths offer a thrilling test of courage while revealing breathtaking views of the canyon’s rugged beauty and undulating mountains.

Wangxian Valley boasts abundant rainfall, ensuring a constant flow of water. Everywhere you look, you'll find trickling streams, serene springs, and magnificent waterfalls like Wangxian Waterfall and Three-Tiered Waterfalls. These dramatic cascades, springing from sheer cliffs, combine with gushing springs and winding streams to form a series of unique and stunning landscapes.

It’s hard to believe that such an ethereal wonderland was crafted from an ABANDONED QUARRY. This transformation is undeniably a bold, ambitious, and brilliantly creative endeavor.

After, your guide will escort you to Shangrao Railway Station for your high-speed train to Huangshan City (about 1 hour). Upon arrival, your Huangshan guide will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

Free time ideas in Huangshan City:

Tunxi Ancient Street (屯溪老街): Explore this bustling historic street with traditional Huizhou-style architecture, shops, and restaurants.

Liyang In Lane (黎阳in巷): Discover this charming area, a blend of ancient architecture and modern cafes, bars, and eateries, especially lively in the evening.

Route: Yungu Cable Way - Begin-to-believe Peak - Dispelling Cloud Pavilion -West Sea Grand Canyon - Bright Summit - Flying-over Rock

Walking Distance: about 7~9km/5~6 hrs

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel lobby and drive about 80 kilometers (approximately 1.5 hours) to the foot of Mount Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Five Sacred Mountains. Yellow Mountain is famous for its stunning natural scenery, which includes ancient pine trees, oddly-shaped granite peaks, winter snow, hot springs, and a sea of clouds that often envelops the mountain range, also known as the "Five Natural Wonders". Huangshan has been a subject of inspiration in Chinese art, literature, and traditional landscape paintings for centuries. More than 400 years ago, during the Ming Dynasty, Xu Xiake, a renowned geographer and traveler, visited Huangshan Mountain twice and uttered the famous phrase, "After visiting the Five Sacred Mountains, one does not need to see any other mountains; after visiting Huangshan, one does not need to see the Five Sacred Mountains." This illustrates the status and importance of Huangshan Mountain among the famous mountains in China.

To maximize your time and energy and experience the mountain's most mesmerizing sceneries on the top, a sightseeing bus will transfer you directly from the foot of the back mountain to Yungu Temple. From here, you'll board the cableway to White Goose Ridge Station (8 mins). As you ascend, give you breathtaking aerial views of the forests below—a canvas of endless green, with granite peaks and twisted pines veiled in mist. Upon arrival, you'll notice the air is cooler and crisper. Now begins your trek to the poetic Begin-to-Believe Peak. Huangshan is famous for its ancient and oddly shaped pine trees. En route, you'll admire several like Black Tiger Pine, and Harp Pine, each with its unique shape and character. When you reach Begin-to-Believe Peak, you'll understand how it got its name. The stunning vistas, which include a mixture of cliffs, valleys, and uniquely shaped rocks, will make you begin to believe in the mystical aura that Huangshan is famous for. After soaking in the views at Begin-to-Believe Peak, you will trek for about 40 minutes to your mountaintop hotel for a break.

After lunch, it’s time for the grandeur of the West Sea Grand Canyon. Walking into the Xihai Grand Canyon is like stepping into a Chinese ink painting, with numerous peculiar rocks and towering stones standing before your eyes. The scenery is magnificent, and the Huangshan pine growing on the rocks takes on myriad poses and postures. The hike can be tailored to your energy level and time constraints; a 2-hour round-trip will get you to the 1st ring, while a 2.5-hour expedition will take you to the 2nd ring. (Please note: The thrilling and rugged trails make this activity challenging and physically demanding. Also, the West Sea Grand Canyon is usually closed during cold weather and heavy snow.)

After, you have a couple of choices for watching the sunset: Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion or the higher-altitude Bright Summit. From Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion, it takes about 30 minutes to get back to the hotel. The Cloud-dispersing Pavilion is called so because the cloud will disperse upon reaching here. It is a good place to admire the sunset, cloud sea, strange peaks, and deep valley. If time and energy allow, consider extending an hour trek to the Sky Sea Scenic Area to see Flying-over Rock. This massive rock, estimated to weigh around 360 tons and standing approximately 12 meters high, appears to balance precariously on a narrow base atop another boulder. Enjoy the sunset from the second highest peak - Bright Summit (1840m). After the sunset, it's a 40-minute trek back to your hotel.

Good to know:

1.Travel light! There is a lot of walking involved on the mountain, so it's recommended to carry only essential items and pack light. Alternatively, you can store your luggage at the mountain's base.
2. For environmental protection, some hotels on the mountain do not provide disposable toiletries, so it's advisable to bring your own.
3. Staying on the mountain allows you more time to appreciate additional scenic views of Huangshan, especially sunrise and sea of clouds. However, due to the high transportation costs on the mountain, hotel facilities may be limited. The star-rated hotels might not be up to the standard of those in big cities like Shanghai. Due to the moist weather on the mountains, the rooms could be a little humid. Despite the lack of choice, we will select a relatively comfortable hotel for you.

Tonight, stay overnight on the top of mountain.

Route: Sunrise - Dawn Pavilion - Refreshing Terrace - Monkey Gazing at the Sea - Lion Peak - Yungu Cable Way

Walking Distance: about 3km/2 hrs

Today begins in the dark, pre-dawn hours (usually around 5 am to 6 am), as you'll want to catch the awe-inspiring sunrise that Mount Huangshan is celebrated for. Make sure you're dressed warmly and adequately - mountain temperatures can be surprisingly chilly in the morning. As the sky gradually lightens, you'll witness one of nature's most glorious spectacles: the sun rising over the fabled peaks and valleys of Mount Huangshan. With hues of orange, pink, and gold illuminating the sky, it's a moment so sublime that it has been the muse of countless poets and painters for centuries. After the sunrise, get back to your hotel for breakfast.

Then proceed to Lion Peak (1690m) to see the Dawn Pavilion, Refreshing Terrace, Stone Monkey Watching the Sea, and various shapes of pines and rocks along the route. Lion Peak, as its name implies, really looks like a crouching lion. "Monkey Gazing at the Sea" is an evocative rock formation that resembles a monkey contemplating the ocean of clouds below. It's a visual treat that also offers the perfect photo opportunity. Afterward, walk to the White Goose Ridge Cable Station to take the Yungu cableway down the mountain. Your driver is ready at the mountain foot to transfer you to Hongcun Village.

Next, you will visit one of the most representative Huizhou villages - Hongcun. It is renowned for its well-preserved ancient architecture and layout from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Often described as a "village in a Chinese painting," Hongcun has become a magnet for photographers and artists, eager to capture its idyllic scenery and architectural grace.

Established in the Song Dynasty, Hongcun Village is over 900 years old. The lay of the Hongcun was remodeled according to geomantic (feng shui) ideas. It is common to see Hui-style villages often situated near mountains and water sources, aligning with the people of Huizhou’s belief that harmony with the natural environment promotes the well-being and prosperity of the villagers. In the embrace of southern Anhui's rolling hills, Hongcun unfolds like a living ox-shaped tapestry. Leigang Hill forms its majestic “head,” crowned by two ancient trees as “horns.” The Moon Pond forms its “heart”, and South Lake is the “belly.” Four timeworn bridges stand as the ox's “feet,” t, straddling the tranquil Jiyin stream, while a meandering canal - the village's “intestines” - adds a flowing cadence to daily life. All these elements converge at the serene South Lake, a natural mirror that not only reflects the village's ethereal beauty but also anchors its feng shui harmony.

Step inside and you are led through labyrinthine cobblestone streets, meandering like poetic verses. These lanes, narrow yet inviting, seem to whisper the stories of generations past as they guide you through the village's “body,” a collection of white-walled, black-tiled Hui-style buildings. Here, 103 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and 34 buildings from the Republican era are preserved. The villagers uphold time-honored traditions and customs, living a pastoral life that feels as if suspended in another era. The most beautiful sites are the expansive South Lake and the crescent-shaped Moon Pond. These tranquil bodies of water act as natural mirrors, capturing the timeless beauty of ancient bridges and classic Huizhou architecture as if they were scenes on a painted scroll. It is especially beautiful during the season when lotus flowers are in full bloom.

The ancient inhabitants of this village have left a rich legacy of material and spiritual wealth. On the north bank of Southern Lake, you will find South Lake Academy, a private ancient school that served the village, and was a good architectural representative of the family academies of Huizhou. Scattered throughout the village are several mansions, courtyards, and ancestral halls, such as Chengzhi Hall, Wang Ancestral Hall, Jingxiu Hall, Jingde Hall, and Lexu Hall. Among these, the Wang Ancestral Hall stands as the largest and most well-preserved family shrine in the village. A portrait of the Wang family's grand matriarch hangs on the left wall inside the hall - Hu Zhong who designed and led the construction of Hongcun's water management system, shaping the village into what it is today. Chengzhi Hall, founded by a salt merchant, is the largest private residence in Hongcun and is often referred to as the "Folk Forbidden City." The mansion is renowned for its intricate Huizhou "Three Carvings," which include brick carvings, wood carvings, and stone carvings. Among these, the wood carvings are particularly exceptional. Some are even gilded, exuding magnificence and opulence that testify to the wealth and prestige of its original owners.

After the tour, drive back to Huangshan City for accommodation.

Then, it's time to end your 5-day Wangxian Valley Tour. Your guide will escort you to the Huangshan train station for your train to Shanghai or your next destination.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!