Huangshan Travel Guide

Huangshan Travel Guide

Welcome to Huangshan

Huangshan city, known as the cradle of Hui culture and Hui merchants, is located in Anhui province. The city got its name from Mount Huangshan, the most spectacular mountain under heaven. Apart from the natural wonders of Mount Huangshan and Mount Qiyun, distinctive Hui style villages are also must-see highlights to attract tourists from home and abroad.

Huangshan Facts
  • English Name: Huangshan
  • Chinese name: 黄山Huángshān
  • Location: Southeast China
  • Population (city):about 1.4 million
  • Language: Mandarin
  • Zip code: 245000
  • Tel code: +86 (0559)
  • Time zone: China standard (UTC+8)
  • International Airports: Huangshan Tunxi International Airport (TXN)
  • Railway Stations: Huangshanbei Railway Station, Huangshan Station

Best Time to go Huangshan City

Huangshan city is good for sightseeing all year round. For tourists whose main focus is on Mount Huangshan, warmer weather during mid-March to mid-November makes a comfortable tour. However the little crowd, fantastic views of cloud seas and rimes in winters are bonuses as well.


Data Period Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Mean Maximum °C 7 8.4 14 20 25 29 32 32 27 22 16 9.7
Temperature  ºF 45 47 56 68 78 84 90 90 81 72 61 49.46
Mean Minimum °C -2 0 4.4 10 16 20 25 24 19 13 6.1 -0.1
Temperature ºF 29 32 40 51 60 69 76 76 66 55 43 31.82
Rainfall Amount mm 29 48 69 87 96 159 188 124 95 60 56 25
Days with Rain days 7 9 11 12 10 11 13 11 10 8 8 6
* denotes number of days with at least 1.0 mm of rainfall

Top 5 Things to do in Huangshan City

1. Explore the Splendor of the Yellow Mountains

Mount Huangshan is renowned for its jagged peaks, ancient pine trees, breathtaking ‘cloud sea’, and splendid sunrise and sunset. Climbing Yellow Mountain might test your stamina, but the stunning scenery will be your reward. Visitors can ride the cable car up and down Yellow Mountain, embrace the bird sounds in the forest, inhale the fresh air and all beauties of nature. Changeable weather makes the mountain like a fairyland in the clouds.

huangshan mountain with cloud

Notes for tourists sightseeing the Yellow Mountains

  • Overnight stay on the Mountain is necessary if there is a need to see both sunset and sunrise. Even so, with the changeable weather in mountains we can’t promise it.
  • Pack light for the overnight on the Mountain, suitcases can be kept at hotels in Huangshan city for free.
  • Raincoats rather than umbrellas should be prepared for spring tours, just in case.
  • Temperatures can be dramatically different on the mountains during daytime and nighttime (that’s why cloud seas are formed!); hotels offer down coats for free in each room, but bringing your own sweaters or wind-proof coats is recommended.
  • Cable cars are available, but still you need to walk on stairs to reach each and every highlight on the Mountain. Expect one to two hours of walking, so make sure you wear comfortable sneakers for the tour.

2. Wander along the Tunxi Ancient Street

Strolling along the alley of Tunxi Old Street, you can visit a vast selection of shops, as well as restaurants serving local food, such as Huangshan Pancake, Huimo Crisp, and dried bean curd. Most of the buildings in this street are old Anhui-style architecture, with gray tiles, white walls, and house-head double eaves on the roofs. It is also a perfect place for souvenir shopping, such as paint-brushes, inks, ink-stone, and other Chinese handcrafts.

Tunxi ancient street

Take a walk to Tunxi Ancient Street

3. Visit Chinese Ink-painting Villages

In Xidi Village, Hongcun Village, and Chengkan Village, you can explore the ancient culture and arts, which is like going to a large open-air museum to see traditional architecture. Tranquil water in the village offers a mirrored reflection of the surrounding scenery, ancient houses, stone bridges, and, in the background, a line of rugged blue, misty mountains. No wonder it is called a living Chinese painting!

chengkan village

Chengkan Village

4. Doing farm work and tasting Huangshan Cuisine

When you visit a rustic village in Huangshan, you will see why it is honored as the open-air museum of Chinese Ancient Ancestral Halls. As well as visiting the antique buildings, you can call on a local family to help them to do some farm work, and harvest vegetables in a private field for cooking meals.

cooking class in Huangshan

Farm work & cooking meals

5. Drinking Huangshan Maofeng Tea

Huangshan Maofeng Tea is a famous green tea which has been grown in the Mt. Huangshan region for more than 300 years. The best teas are picked in the early spring. Only the new tea buds and the leaf next to the bud are picked. After making and brewing, it will send out a fresh fragrance like an orchid. Taste Maofeng tea to experience the tranquility of brewing tea, the relaxation and refreshment.

What to see in Huangshan

The Yellow Mountains

yellow mountains

The general name for a mountain range of 72 named peaks, with Lotus Peak at an elevation of 1864 meters being the highest peak. Mount Huangshan is famous for its odd-shaped pines and granite rocks, cloud seas and snow views. It was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1990, and it is the ultimate destination for poets, painters and photographers.

Hongcun Village

hongcun village

Located at the foot of Mount Huangshan, Hongcun Village is a distinctive ancient village where a large amount of Qing and Ming style buildings could be found. It was listed as a World Heritage Site along with other similar villages in the area in 2000. One of the distinctions of Hongcun Village is its water supply system; another is its layout in the shape of an ox. Scenes from the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon were captured in Hongcun Village.

Our Huangshan Trips

The Yellow Mountains Day Tour The Yellow Mountains Day Tour 1 Day Private Tour on the Yellow Mountains View More
2 Days on the Yellow Mountains 2 Days on the Yellow Mountains Challenge mild hiking in two days View More
Huangshan Culture and Landscape Tour in 4 Days Huangshan Culture and Landscape Tour in 4 Days Yellow Mountains and Hui style architecture View More

Huangshan Transportation

Taxi

Taxis are affordable and safe in Huangshan. The base rate is about 7 RMB for the first 2.5km, and then 2RMB for every extra kilometer. A night surcharge is effective from 22:00 to 06:00. All taxis have clearly displayed meters.

A great way to hail taxis nowadays is through a taxi-hailing app. The most popular, and arguably the best one, is the Apple backed app “Didi Chuxing”, simply called “Didi”.

Bus

Buses in Huangshan charge only 1-2 RMB. Usually, buses with air-conditioning charge 2RMB per person. All buses require a self-service ticket, and operation time is often from 06:10 to 21:30.

Transportation to Nearby Scenic Areas

distance from huangshan downtown to nearby scenic areas

Huangshan Long-Distance Bus Terminal

Location: No. 31, Qiyun Road, Tunxi District. Bus 1, 8, 21, and 202 and get off at Qiche Station on arrival. In the bus terminal, there are buses Lv 1(旅1)from Tunxi District to Hongcun Village, en route to Xidi Village, or from 08:00 to 16:00, leaving at 1-hour intervals, it costs 15-20RMB. Bus Lv 2 (旅2) is from Tunxi to Yuliangba, en route to Tangmo Village, Tangyue Memorial Archway and Huizhou Ancient City, starting from 08:00 to 16:00, leaving at 2-hour intervals, 12:00 excepted. Bus Lv 3 (旅3) to Chengkan Village leaves at 1-hour intervals, except for 12:00.

The Bus to Mt. Huangshan starts from 06:30 to 17:30, leaving at 20min intervals.

How Far is Huangshan from Major Cities

Cities Distance to Huangshan (km) By Air to Huangshan By High-Speed Railway to Huangshan
Beijing about 1370 2hrs 5.5-6.5hrs
Xi'an about 1238 2hrs 7.5-8hrs
Shanghai about 405 No direct flight 2.5-3.5hrs
Hangzhou about 220 No direct flight 1.5-2hrs
Chengdu about 1650 2.5hrs 10hrs50min
Guangzhou about 1108 2hrs 7hrs
Guilin about 1246 1hr45min No direct train

What to Eat in Huangshan

Soy Braised Mandarin Fish (Chou Guiyu)

soy braised mandarin fish

Soy Braised Mandarin Fish, one of the signature dishes of Anhui Cuisine, has more than 200 years’ history. After being fermented, Mandarin Fish can keep its original fresh and tender flavor. With more than 20 ingredients preserved in this cuisine, the fermented Mandarin Fish dish is a flavor bomb, but not particularly smelly at all.

Hairy Tofu (Mao Tofu)

hairy tofu

The material of fermented Tofu looks like something hairy and gray, and actually the “hair” is hyphae, or filaments of fungus. After months undergoing a complex process, the tofu develops a dense and creamy texture. Local people usually fry both sides of it until the color becomes golden yellow, and then it is cooked with a special soybean sauce. Eaten with chili paste, it tastes like a salty and a heavy blue cheese, and the favor will be a unique challenge to your taste buds.

Yipin Pot

yipin pot

Yipin Pot is a typical hotpot of Anhui Cuisine. Unlike the Sichuan-style hotpot, it is delicately cooked. Dried bamboo shoots and winter melon are put on the bottom of the pot, fresh meat is put onto the second layer, fried bean curd and tofu products on the third, meatballs and egg dumplings on the fourth and then mushrooms are dotted on the top center. Then all these things are simmered in water and dressed with seasoning. This dish is famous for its country flavor and the various food being placed exquisitely in that order.

Huimo Crisp

Huimo Crisp is an authentic snack in Huangshan, and looks like Huizhou ink. Its main ingredient is black sesame. The sweet flavor and rich aroma of sesame as a traditional dessert are popular with local people.

Top Items to take back Home

Hui Ink Sticks

Hui Ink Sticks are one of the “Four Treasures of a Scholar” which are, namely, brush pen, ink-stick, paper, and ink-stone. Calligraphy written with Hui Ink can be preserved for decades of time without fading out. With fine qualities and exquisite decorated painting, the Hui ink-sticks have an aesthetic beauty and collectible value.

HuiZhou style incense pendant with Chinese Herbs

incense pendant

An incense pendant is one of the traditional Chinese incense forms. Wearing it often is not only very helpful in terms of sleep and immune system improvement, but it is also a nice ornament. It is a wonderful souvenir of your Huangshan trip. You also can experience how to make it by yourself. That will be your unforgettable memory during your Huangshan trip.

Huangshan Pancake

Huangshan Pancakes are a traditional cuisine in Anhui Province. Its multi-layer and crispy feeling crust with white sesame, and stuffing made of fat meat and dried vegetables. The taste is fragrant, crisp and a little savory. This dessert can be preserved for a long time because of the making process.

Huangshan Maofeng Tea

Huangshan Maofeng Tea is a supreme green tea produced in the south-eastern part of Anhui Province of China. The tea is grown at the foot of Mt. Huangshan, famous for picking tea leaves, delicate drying and purely manual making. Drinking the tea will be good for your health.

Recommended Hotels

recommended hotels in huangshan

The location of the top hotels in Huangshan

Category Hotel Name Hotel Class Why Recommend Ranking on Trip Advisor
Hotels on Mount Huangshan Xihai Hotel 5-star
  • Clean room with a great view
  • Close to cable car
  • Best place to catch sunrise or even sunset
4
Beihai Hotel 4-star
  • Good heating in room
  • Plenty of options for breakfast
  • Fast check-in and check-out
41
Paiyunlou Hotel 3-star
  • Very near to Yungu Cable Car
  • Clean rooms and nice food
  • Helpful and friendly Staff
38
International Chain Crowne Plaza Huangshan Yucheng 5-star
  • Conveniently located in Huanshan with connection to the airport
  • Good sized rooms, gym and pool are available
  • Free wifi in non-smoking rooms
1
Best Value Huangshan International Hotel 4-star
  • Spacious, clean and comfortable rooms
  • 15 min lazy walk beside the river bank to Tunxi Old street
  • Very good value for money
17
Huangshan Parrion Hotel 4-star
  • Spacious rooms and with full facilities
  • Great views of the river and Tunxi skyline
  • Friendly and helpful staff
9
Xin an Country Villa Hotel 3-star
  • Large rooms
  • Nice restaurant nearby
  • Excellent service
69
Boutique Pig's Inn 4-star
  • Ancient house sitting in the fields of vegetables and rice paddies
  • Wonderful meals with fresh organic vegetables picked by local farmers
  • Two showers- one inside the other outside open-air in a small cobbled private courtyard
5

Huangshan International Hotel – Elegant Deluxe

This hotel has nice lobby and helpful reception staff. With its great location, this hotel is not too far from Tunxi Old Street and a short distance from the bus station. It has large and comfortable rooms with adequate facilities, and free Wi-Fi is offered to guests, along with a 24 hour front desk, room service and baggage storage.

Address: No. 31 Huashan Road, Tunxi District, Tunxi District, Huangshan

Crown Plaza Huangshan Yucheng

Crowne Plaza Huangshan Yucheng is a 15-minute drive from Huangshan Tunxi International Airport and 2km from Huangshan Train Station. An indoor pool, a well-equipped fitness center, and pampering spa treatments are available. Cozy and spacious rooms with soft carpeted floors and en-suite bathrooms equipped with a bathtub and shower are offered.

Address: No.1 Huizhou Avenue, Tunxi District, Huangshan

Huangshan Xihai Hotel

The hotel is located on Huangshan Mountain, and visitors need to ride the cable car and hike for about 1.5hr to get there. It is a very convenient location to admire the sunrise over Danxia Peak. Even on the mountain, Xihai Hotel offers well-equipped facilities and comfortable accommodation. There is a small shop in the lobby to buy water and snacks. Visitors can enjoy the buffet in the hotel. They also offer heavy coats in the room in case of a sudden change of weather. The foot massage service in the hotel is available for an extra fee.

Address: Xihai Parkland, Tangkou Zhen, Huangshan

Huangshan Baiyun Hotel – Perfect location Comfortable

The Baiyun Hotel is located in the Tianhai Scenic Area of Huangshan, where it is convenient to ride the Xihai ground rail cable car, and only 500m to the peak of “Bright Top” to admire the sunrise or sunset. The hotel’s Three-star Main building and Four-star new buildings offer various choices of rooms including 8-bed dorm rooms. Besides the dorm rooms, other rooms all provide free Chinese and western breakfasts.

Address: Tianhai Scenic Area, Huangshan

Tips:

1. Most hotel restaurants on Mt. Huangshan offer buffets such as breakfast and lunch 80-90RMB, dinner 140-160RMB, and set meals for about 70RMB.

2. The price on the Mountain is generally more expensive than the average, because all of the goods from rice to water and building materials for the hotels are carried by porters.

3. During winter time, some scenic spots on the mountain are closed, including Xihai Grand Canyon, Lotus Peak, Celestial Capital Peak, Lion Peak, and Purple Clouds Peak.

4. In winter, when it is snowy and icy, the stone steps on the mountain will be very slippery, antiskid hiking shoes or nonslip overshoes should be prepared.

Shilily Poise Resort – Fashionable Deluxe

shilili poise resort

Shilily boasts a good location to access attractions and take advantage of the surrounding environment. With ancient Huizhou-style architecture outside but bright colors and modern decoration of the rooms, each of which has windows so guests can enjoy the picturesque scenery. A full-service spa, outdoor pool, and free WiFi are provided.

Address: No. 32, Baolun Road, Chengkan Village, Huangshan No. 12, Hongcun, Yixian, Huangshan.

Pig’s Inn – Ancient-style Comfortable

pig inn hotel

Pig’s Inn is a brand of hotel. The whole house takes the style of an ancient Chinese wooden building. It’s a cozy and rustic place to provide an experience like an idle pig. The friendly staff will be helpful in this delicious home. At night, guests can have a comfortable stay in its bar.

Address: Bishan Village, Biyang Town, Yixian County, Huangshan Xidi Village, Ren Rangli , Yixian County, Huangshan