5 Days Huangshan & Wangxian Valley Tour via Huangling Village

Welcome to Huangshan! Upon your arrival at the airport or train station, your local guide and driver will meet you at the exit and escort you to your hotel in the city center for check-in. (Tip: We recommend arriving before 14:00 to enjoy the full itinerary.)

Tunxi Ancient Street

After a short rest, take a stroll through this 900-year-old flagstone street. Stretching over 1,000 meters, it features classic Huizhou-style architecture with white walls and black tiles.

Explore family-owned shops that have operated for over a century, selling everything from tea to inkstones. While here, try local Huizhou specialties like Mao Tofu (毛豆腐) or the famous Smelly Mandarin Fish (臭鳜鱼).

Tunxi Museum

Located right on the old street, this museum offers a deep dive into Anhui's history. You’ll find Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture, fine porcelain, and the "Four Treasures of the Study" (brush, ink, paper, and inkstone), which are vital to Chinese calligraphy.

Hu Kaiwen Ink-stick Factory

Next, visit one of China’s oldest and most prestigious inkstick producers. Huizhou ink is considered the world's finest, made using secret recipes and traditional hand-operated soot collection.

You can witness the craftsmanship firsthand and view a collection of over 7,800 historic inkstick molds dating back to the Ming Dynasty. It is a must-visit for anyone interested in traditional Chinese art.

Route: Yungu Cableway – Begin-to-Believe Peak – West Sea Grand Canyon – Bright Summit – Flying-over Rock

Hiking Distance: 7–9 km (approx. 5–6 hours)

After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you on a 1.5-hour drive (80 km) to the foot of Mount Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its "Five Natural Wonders": ancient pines, oddly-shaped rocks, sea of clouds, hot springs, and winter snow.

To save time and energy, a sightseeing bus will take you to the Yungu Temple station. From there, you will take the Yungu Cableway (8 mins) up to White Goose Ridge. As you ascend, enjoy aerial views of granite peaks and twisted pines shrouded in mist.

Exploring the Peaks

Once at the top, start your trek to Begin-to-Believe Peak. Along the way, you will see iconic trees like the Black Tiger Pine and Harp Pine. The peak offers a dramatic introduction to Huangshan’s mystical atmosphere, with views of deep valleys and jagged cliffs. Afterward, take a 40-minute walk to your mountaintop hotel for a short break.

West Sea Grand Canyon

In the afternoon, head into the West Sea Grand Canyon (Xihai Grand Canyon). This area feels like a living ink-wash painting, featuring some of the mountain's most peculiar rock formations.

The hike is flexible: a 2-hour round trip reaches the 1st Ring, while a 2.5-hour trek reaches the 2nd Ring. (Note: This section is physically demanding and usually closes during heavy snow or icy conditions).

Sunset Views

For sunset, you can choose between the Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion or the higher Bright Summit (1840m). If you have the energy, we recommend the 1-hour trek to the Sky Sea Scenic Area to see the 360-ton Flying-over Rock, which appears to balance precariously on a narrow ledge. After the sunset, it is a 40-minute walk back to your hotel.

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

Walking Distance: about 3km/2 hrs

Mount Huangshan Sunrise

Start your day early (usually 5:00–6:00 AM) to catch the legendary Huangshan sunrise. Dress warmly, as temperatures at the summit can be quite low. Watching the sky change from orange to gold over the sea of clouds is an iconic experience.

After breakfast, hike toward Lion Peak (1690m). Along the way, you’ll visit the Dawn Pavilion, Refreshing Terrace, and the famous "Monkey Gazing at the Sea" rock formation. These spots offer some of the best panoramic views of the mountain's pines and peaks.

Afterward, head to White Goose Ridge to take the Yungu Cableway down the mountain. Your driver will meet you at the base for the transfer to Hongcun Village.

Hongcun Village (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Established over 900 years ago during the Song Dynasty, Hongcun is a masterpiece of Huizhou-style architecture. Its layout is designed based on traditional feng shui principles, resembling the shape of an ox.

The village "head" is marked by two ancient trees, while the "heart" is the crescent-shaped Moon Pond. South Lake serves as the "belly," acting as a natural mirror for the white-walled, black-tiled houses that line the water.

Exploring Huizhou Culture

Hongcun is home to over 100 well-preserved buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Stroll through the cobblestone alleys to discover ancestral halls and private mansions:

• Chengzhi Hall: Known as the "Folk Forbidden City," this former residence of a wealthy salt merchant is famous for its intricate wood, brick, and stone carvings.
• Wang Ancestral Hall: The largest family shrine in the village, showcasing the history of the clan that designed Hongcun's unique water system.
• South Lake Academy: A historic private school that highlights the region's emphasis on education and culture.

After exploring the village, you will be driven back to Huangshan City for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart Huangshan for a 1.5-hour drive (80 km) to Huangling Village in Wuyuan County.

Huangling Village (The Cliffside Village)

Often called the "village hanging on a cliff," Huangling is a stunning example of ancient Huizhou architecture. It is famous for its "Shaiqiu" (晒秋) tradition—the colorful sun-drying of harvests. Every autumn, locals display chilies, corn, and grains on bamboo sieves across their rooftops, creating a vibrant contrast against the village's black-tiled roofs and white walls.

The village is surrounded by layers of terraced fields. In spring, these terraces are covered in a sea of golden rapeseed flowers, while other seasons offer a rotating display of crops and colors. It’s a photographer’s favorite and widely recognized as one of China’s most beautiful villages.

Transfer to Wangxian Valley

In the afternoon, we will drive about 2.5–3 hours (160 km) to Wangxian Valley. Your guide will assist with your check-in upon arrival.

Wangxian Valley Night View

As dusk falls, the valley transforms. The cliffside buildings are illuminated by warm lights, making the entire mountainside look like a "Heavenly Palace" from a myth.

Strolling through the valley at night feels like stepping into a "Wuxia" (martial arts) world. You’ll find winding paths, tea houses perched on the cliffs, and cascading waterfalls. If you are lucky, you might catch a street performance or traditional sword dance, making it feel exactly like a scene from an ancient Chinese epic.

This morning, explore Wangxian Valley by daylight to appreciate its unique Gan-style architecture. You will see rammed-earth walls, dark grey tiles, and narrow alleys that showcase the traditional building style of Northeast Jiangxi.

Stroll through the village to discover local crafts like bamboo weaving and wood carving. The alleys are also the perfect place to sample authentic Jiangxi snacks, such as hot rice noodles (tangfen) and silky tofu pudding.

Cliffside Exploration

For a thrill, walk along the glass walkways built directly into the sheer canyon cliffs. Stretching nearly 100 meters above the ground, these paths offer a panoramic view of the rugged mountains and the rushing rapids below.

The valley is fed by abundant natural springs, creating a landscape of trickling streams and waterfalls, including the Wangxian Waterfall and the Three-Tiered Waterfalls. It is remarkable that this entire wonderland was transformed from an abandoned quarry into a creative masterpiece.

Departure

After your morning exploration, our team will escort you to Shangrao Railway Station for your train departure (approx. 1.5-hour drive).

Rail Connections: Shangrao offers excellent high-speed links to major hubs, including Shanghai (2.5–3h), Hangzhou (2h), Nanchang (1h), and Huangshan (1h).

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) for your China tour. We hope to welcome you back soon for your next adventure!