4 Days Huangshan Relaxing Tour: Refresh in Yellow Mountain's Splendor & Idyllic Villag

Welcome to Huangshan, a city well-known for the Yellow Mountain! Upon your arrival in Huangshan, a local guide and driver will greet you at the airport/train station exit and escort you to your hotel for check-in in Huangshan City. (Tip: It is suggested to arrive before 14:00)

After resting at your hotel, take a relaxing stroll on the 900-year-old Tunxi Ancient Street. Tunxi Old Street is paved with maroon flagstones, over 1,000 meters long, consisting of a main street, three cross streets and 18 alleys. The buildings along the street have a distinctive local style known as Huizhou style, featuring white walls and black tiles, elaborate carvings. As you wander, you'll discover that many shops have been family-owned for over a century, offering a curious array of wares from inkstones and brushes to local teas and Mao badges. Don't miss the chance to savor local gastronomic delights like Mao Tofu (毛豆腐), Shaobing (烧饼), and the pungent Smelly Mandarin Fish (臭鳜鱼).

Located on the old street, the Tunxi Museum is a treasure trove that offers profound insights into the rich tapestry of Anhui's history. Here, you can marvel at a collection that spans Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture, delicate porcelain, and intricate Huizhou carvings. Special emphasis is given to the "Four Treasures of the Study" - the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone that are cornerstones of Chinese calligraphy and painting. Due to the long history and exceptional quality of these "Four Treasures" in Anhui, many scholars and artists prefer using them. These high-quality tools enjoy a great reputation not only in China but also internationally.

Your cultural exploration doesn't end here. Within a short distance, the Hu Kaiwen Ink-stick Factory is one of the oldest and most prestigious inkstick producers in China, renowned for producing high-quality inksticks. Huizhou Inksticks (徽墨) have long been considered the highest grade among all kinds of inksticks. In fact, the ingredients of inksticks remain a mystery, known only to a few remaining manufacturers of this traditional craft. Here, you can witness the process of making inksticks, which still preserves the essence of traditional craftsmanship with a hand-operated soot collection (点烟). Moreover, the factory boasts an extraordinary collection of 7,800 precious inkstick molds created by famous artists from various dynasties since the Ming and Qing dynasties. If you're interested in Chinese art, culture, or the tools used in traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting, it can be a unique and enlightening experience.

Arrival Ideas: By Air: Huangshan Tunxi International Airport has domestic flights from major cities such as Beijing, Guanzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guilin, Chongqing, Chengdu and Xi'an, etc.

By Train: High speed trains are available from Shanghai (2.5~3.5hrs), Hangzhou (1.5~2hrs), Suzhou (2~3.5hrs),Beijing (5.5~7hrs), and Guangzhou (7hrs), etc.

Good to know:

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 a 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.

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.

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. Our driver will be ready and waiting for you at the foot of the mountain. They will transfer you to the next iconic site in the Huangshan region, the picturesque Hongcun Village.

Hongcun is one of the most representative Huizhou village. There are many ancient villages in China, while the ancient villages in southern Anhui have their own unique tradition. The ancient villages in southern Anhui are predominantly designed in the Huizhou architectural style, a school of design that showcases intricate wood carvings, walls of pristine white, and roofs of contrasting black tiles. The “Horsehead” walls, named for their shape, are another characteristic feature. These architectural elements come together to create scenes that seem plucked right from a traditional Chinese ink painting- serene, timeless, and profoundly beautiful. Huizhou villages often have a rich history tied to the Huizhou merchants, one of the three major commercial groups in ancient China. Upon amassing wealth, they often returned to their hometowns to build luxurious mansions, ancestral halls, and archways, contributing to their family-residing villages.

Morning in Hongcun Village: A Living Ink Painting in Motion

Visiting Hongcun in the early morning is undoubtedly the optimal choice. As the first rays of the sun illuminate the village, it seems to bathe in an atmosphere of tranquility and harmony.

Firstly, the morning sees fewer visitors, allowing you to avoid the tourist rush and experience the quiet charm of this ancient village more intimately. The cobblestone lanes, devoid of daytime hustle, leave only the whispers of history and the caress of the breeze.

Secondly, the morning light provides ideal conditions for photography enthusiasts. As sunlight filters through the mist, the Moon Pond and South Lake become a mirror-like surface, perfectly reflecting the surrounding ancient architecture and green hills. It’s like a living ink painting in motion. The early birds begin their morning songs, which harmonize beautifully with the distant sounds of mountain springs and streams. This creates a natural symphony that adds another layer of peace and harmony to Hongcun.

Additionally, Hongcun in the morning offers a unique glimpse into local life. You might see elderly residents practicing Tai Chi in a communal square, or women washing clothes by the river, adding a touch of authenticity to your experience of the village.

Afternoon in Bishan Village: Immersion in a Rural Utopia

Bishan Village is another interesting village that has recently gained attention for its unique blend of traditional Chinese culture and contemporary influences. Located in the Anhui Province like Xidi and Hongcun, Bishan is not as internationally renowned but but it provides a fresh perspective for experiencing rural life in Huangshan.

With a history dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Bishan was once a prosperous center for trade and commerce. The village maintains the classic historical charm of a Huizhou ancient settlement, replete with traditional white-walled, black-tiled residences, intricately arranged horse-head walls, winding and secluded streets, and a pagoda that stands sentinel over the village. Interestingly, Bishan Village has experienced a cultural renaissance in recent years. Artists, writers, and other creatives have shown interest in the village, resulting in the restoration of many buildings and the establishment of art centers, boutique hotels, and modern cafes alongside traditional residences, ancestral halls, and temples. This unique blend of old and new makes Bishan a captivating example of how tradition and modernity can coexist. It serves as a living museum, not only of the past but also of contemporary rural China.

Today, Bishan has transformed into a rural utopia, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Imagine cycling along well-paved roads or taking a nature walk and immersing yourself in the tranquility of nature and rustic scenery. Gaze at clouds drifting lazily over mountain peaks, marvel at the endless expanse of golden rapeseed fields or lush paddies, and drink in the ageless beauty of white-walled houses adorned with dark, upturned eaves. A visit to the Bishan Bookstore is a must. CNN has acclaimed it as China's most beautiful rural bookstore. Book lovers will find it a haven and the delightful café upstairs provides the perfect spot to relax. Another interesting attraction is the Bishan Marketing Cooperatives, which is built on the former site of the cooperatives. It serves as a museum, showcasing various handicrafts and collections. For a drink, visit the Dog House Bar, where the owner's craft beer has become a local specialty. Consider staying at Pig's Inns, a boutique hotel that has been created by transforming an old oil press. Despite its quirky name, Pig's Inns offers a comfortable experience akin to lazy pigs. Of course, you can also explore the most authentic and sincere local life here. After relaxing physically and mentally, we'll ensure a smooth transfer for your onward flight or train.

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!