Located in southern Anhui Province, Mount Huangshan covers an area of 250 kilometers, of which 154 square kilometers are scenic attractions. Its landscape features “four wonders” of imposing peaks, spectacular rocks, odd-shaped pines, and a sea of clouds.
Mount Huangshan boasts 72 peaks, more than 1,000 meters above sea level, with three main peaks rising majestically. They are both fascinating and dangerously steep. Cliffs, stone forests, stone pillars, stone blocks and egg-shaped stones form the unique granite geomorphological scenery.
The pines on the mountain are tall and have fascinating shapes. The famous Welcoming Guests (Yingke) Pine (1,500 years old) and See-Guest-Off Pine have become a symbol of being faithful, unyielding and hospitable.
Mt. Huangshan can boast not only of its magnificence but also its abundant resources and great variety of zoological species, for which it has been listed as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site.
Four seasons in Mt. Huangshan
Spring
Mt. Huangshan in spring is like a maiden - all is new, fresh and tender. Spring comes in April but its onset is delayed by three days for every 100 meters as you climb the mountain. Therefore, when wild flowers are brilliant and seedlings are shooting up at its foot, the plants half way up the mountain will be just awakening from their winter sleep and will not exhibit their beauty until a week later. The sound of birdsong is most pleasant in this quietness while you will be enchanted by the color changes as you climb your way up. Spring is probably the most propitious season for visiting Mt. Huangshan and is certainly the best time to view the many waterfalls due to the abundant precipitation.
Summer
It is hard to resist the charm of the cool green mountain sides in summer when an exuberance of plant life covers the valleys and peaks with a green blanket. The green trees and ivy mingle to form natural pavilions where you can sit and refresh yourself while enjoying the beautiful scenery with a cooling breeze to sooth you.
Dawn in summer is most splendid as the rising sun lights the sky and the peaks and the plants and the whole world takes on a brilliant glow. After a storm, Mt. Huangshan becomes a world of water. Numerous streams and waterfalls compose an exciting and vigorous symphony. The Sea of Clouds during this season is not as vast as during autumn or winter but it revels in its brightness. If you are really lucky you will see a vivid rainbow flying over two peaks. Sunset is no less enchanting than sunrise. Mt. Huangshan in summer is the best resort in which to escape high temperatures of southern China.
Tips:
1. July and August are among the peak seasons therefore reservation is a must.
2. It is wise to bring a rainproof jacket with you as the strong wind on the mountain renders an umbrella all but useless and even dangerous.
3. Do not climb the mountain during thunderstorm.
Autumn
Autumn on the mountain is colorful due to the blue sky, white clouds, red maples and yellow fruits. At this time of the year the scenery can be compared with that of spring but with a mature beauty. If spring is like a bud ready to bloom, autumn is a flower showing its last significance before withering. Such is the beauty of the autumn scenery of Mt. Huangshan that it can be seen in many famous Chinese paintings.
Tips:
1.Besides the Golden Week of the National Day (Oct 1st to 7th), September and October are also peak seasons of Mt. Huangshan.
2. Bring with you warm clothes so as not to catch a chill as the temperature variation is significant.
Winter
Snowy Mt. Huangshan is like a crystal palace. Though winter lasts a long time in Huangshan, it is not as cold as you might expect. A poem has it that Mt. Huangshan is beautiful all year round but with the winter scenery being the best. The Sea of Clouds, one of the four wonders of Mt. Huangshan, appears more often in winter than in any other season. The spectacle of rimed trees sparkling in the sun is the privilege of winter alone for it is then that you may find yourself in a silver world with icy peaks, clusters of frosty corals suffused with a plentiful supply of the freshest of oxygen rich fresh air.
Travel tips:
1. Winter is the most economical time for visiting Mt Huangshan as the prices for hotels and the entry fee are lowered by 15% to 40% compared to those of the peak season. However, Spring Festival is an exception, during which the price is the same as normal seasons.
2. The hotels are centrally heated so you don't have to worry about the cold.
3. Anti-skid shoes are provided as well as heavy coats in most hotels
Four wonders of Mt. Huangshan
Strange pines
Huangshan pines are seen in every corner of Mt. Huangshan. You will be amazed by their vitality and strength. The seeds fall into the crevices where they take root and grow with great vigor. The uneven terrain prevents the pines from growing upright. Instead they become crooked and even downward. Another feature of Huangshan pines is that many trees grow branches on one side only. The pines grow very slowly due to the poor soil and climatic conditions. A tree less than 3 meters (9.84feet) high may have grown for over one hundred years or even several hundred years. The root of a pine is several times or several dozens times longer than the trunk, therefore Huangshan pines stand firmly with dignity, withstanding wind and rain. Every pine is unique though: Guest-Greeting Pine (in front of the stone lion of the Jade Screen Pavilion in the Jade Screen Scenic Area), Guest-Goodbye Pine (to the right of the Jade Screen Pavilion), Cushion Pine at Lotus Valley, Phoenix Pine at the Sky Sea, Chessboard Pine at Pingtian Stone Bridge, Kylin Pine between Bei Hai Hotel and the Refreshing Terrace, Black Tiger Pine and Sea Exploring Pine are among the most famous ones.
Absurd Stones
Spectacular rocky peaks will inspire your imagination. Some look like human beings, birds or animals or many other objects. Something that makes the stones even more fascinating is that they assume varied shapes when seen from different angles. Every stone has its own fantastic legend.
The rocks known as the 'Celestial Basking Shoe' and the 'Celestial Basking Boot' share a most romantic story. Once upon a time, in the Celestial Heaven Taoist Temple on Zuoshu Peak lived an old Taoist priest Dao Xuan and his disciple Tai Qing while in the Purple Cloud Temple on Pine Forest Peak lived a Taoist nun Lian Yu and her disciple Miao Zhen. The West Sea Valley separated the two temples as well as a strict commandment, therefore they had no dealings with each other. However, one winter, there was no kindling in Celestial Heaven Taoist Temple. Seeking help, Dao Xuan asked Tai Qing if he could borrow some from the nun at the Purple Cloud Temple. It so happened that the two young disciples fell in love at first sight. From then on, they spent time together when they fetched water or collected firewood. Unfortunately, they were discovered by both masters and the two disciples were punished severely. They were forbidden to go beyond the boundaries set by their masters and threaten with a beating should they disobey. One day when both the masters went down the mountain, they stealthily dated again and agreed upon a good idea: Tai Qing would place a boot in front of the mountain gate if his master was not at home; likewise Miao Zhen would place a shoe. One day, when they were together, their masters unexpectedly returned. Knowing they would be punished, the lovers pondered over their plight. Eventually, they decided that since they could not live together, they would rather choose to die together. Thus, they jumped into a cloud sea. They even did not have time to take back the boot and the shoe. As the days passed, the boot and the shoe turned into two rocks - 'Celestial basking shoe' and 'Celestial basking boot'.
Sea of Clouds
Mt. Huangshan is home to clouds and mists. The Sea of Clouds has a fairy tale beauty. Winter is the best season for this spectacle. According to their locations, the seas of clouds are divided into East Sea, South Sea, West Sea, North Sea and Sky Sea. If you climb up the Lotus Peak, the Heaven Capital Peak and the Bright Peak, you will find yourself above the level of the clouds and they appear as a sea beneath you. It is true that a sea of clouds can be seen in many high mountains but that of Mt. Huangshan is unique with its oddly shaped rocks and ancient pines. Peaks, large and small, hide and reappear in the boundless waves of clouds. The Heavenly Capital Peak and the Bright Peak appear as isolated islands within this white sea.
All the colors seem more vivid in the sunshine. The clouds are forever changing, from being like a mirror when all is calm to rolling waves when the wind is strong. At sunrise or sunset, the glistening clouds assume every hue from red to purple. You cannot help marveling at this gift from the Creator! You will be struck by the beauty when all the red leaves are floating on the white clouds in autumn, when the clouds gush between the peaks like a raging river while the red leaves flutter delicately in the breeze.
Go to the Jade Screen Pavilion to view the South Sea, the Refreshing Terrace for the North Sea, the Paiyun Tower for the West Sea, the White Goose Ridge for the East Sea and the Legendary Turtle Peak for the Sky Sea.
Hot springs
To be able to refresh yourself in the hot springs on Mt. Huangshan must be one of the best ways of enjoyment and relaxation. Running out of the Purple Peak of 850 meters (2, 789 feet), the hot spring in Mt. Huangshan is the first stop following the entrance. Legend has it that Huang Di, the ancestor of the Chinese nation, bathed here 49 days before he ascended to heaven and became immortal.
Tips:
1. Hot spring is not suitable for everyone. If you suffer from high blood pressure or heart diseases, it would be wise to consult your doctor first.
2. Do not bathe in the hot spring if you do not feel very well or when you are hungry.
3. Leave the hot spring whenever you feel uncomfortable.
Scenic Areas
Hot Springs Scenic Area
Hot Springs Scenic Area was named Xanadu. With the Grasping Beautiful Scenes Bridge as its hub, this scenic area has Peach Blossom Stream and Xiaoyao Stream flowing through it. It is 1.5 km (0.93 miles) to the entrance to the Front Mountain (the Merciful Light Pavilion) and 7 km (4.35miles) to that of the Rear Mountain (the Cloud Valley Temple). You can simply walk to the first of these while there are buses to the latter one.
Here you can enjoy the hot spring as well as the waterfalls. Also worth mentioning is the Singing String Spring. A rock of 9 meters (29.5feet) long has tweedle-like sounds when struck by the spring water. The name carved on the rock was the handwriting of Li Bai (701-762), one of China's most brilliant poets.
North Sea Scenic Area
North Sea Scenic Area has plenty of wonders. Before your eyes flash the Shixin Peak, the Lion Peak, the Refreshing Terrace, the Monkey Gazing at the Sea, the Flying Stone and more.
It is said that only when you come to Shixin Peak that you will believe the magic of Mt. Huangshan. Or you won't see the Huangshan pines until you come to this Peak.
Bright Peak (1,860 meters, i.e. 6,102 feet), the second highest peak of Mt. Huangshan, is the most ideal place to watch the sea of clouds as all five seas will surround you.
Refreshing Terrace on the Lion Peak is the optimum place for watching the sea of clouds and sunrise.
In addition, Black Tiger Pine, Lovers' Pine, Two Immortals Playing Chess, etc, can all be enjoyed here. Let your imagination fly through those pines and rocks and you may find the views unique and unforgettable. All in all, the North Sea is the most important scenic area. So never miss it. Hotels are abundant here, too.
Jade Screen Scenic Area
This scenic area has Jade Screen Pavilion as its center and the Lotus Peak and the Heavenly Capital Peak as the main body. This is the Front Mountain as people usually call it. Along the road you will find Peng Lai Three Islands, 100-step Scaling Ladder, the Thread of the Sky and the New Thread of the Sky. "Splendid is the landscape", handwritings by Chairman Mao Ze Dong, are inscribed on the Jade Screen Peak.
The Heavenly Capital Peak is the steepest of the three main peaks with an elevation of 1,830 meters (6,003feet). An ancient poet has it that even travelers that have visited wu yue will be amazed by this peak. The beautiful view, however, comes at a cost. You have to go along an arduous road and cross the Carp's Backbone before you reach the peak. The most exciting news may be that after 6 years' closedown, the Heaven Capital Peak was re-opened to the public on 16th April 2005.
The Lotus Peak is the highest peak of Mt. Huangshan. This 1,864-meter (6,115-foot)-high peak looks like a blooming lotus, hence the name. On the way to the peak, you will be greeted by Huangshan Pines and azalea. In clear weather, you may be lucky enough to see Mountain Tianmu in the east, Mountain Lushan in the West, Mountain Jiuhua and the Yangtze River in the north. Or after rain, you will see the sea of clouds surging around you.
Pine Valley Scenic Area
Located in the north slope of Mt. Huangshan, the Pine Valley Scenic Area covers 12.5 km (7.77miles) with a fall in altitude of 1,100 meters (3,609 feet) made up of over 6,500 steps. Rocks and ponds are the highlights. Among this refreshing world, the Emerald Pool, the Five-Dragon Pond, and the rock of Guan Gong Resists Cao Cao (both were famous generals during the Three Kingdoms Period) are the main scenic points.
The Emerald Pool is surrounded by rocks, with a crystal stream from the Pine Valley flowing into it. The reflections of the mountains and trees create another fairy world in the water. No matter how tempted you may feel Do Not swim in this 10-meter (33-feet) deep pool for the water is far too cold even in summer.
In addition, the Pine Valley Scenic Area is located at the North Gate of Mt. Huangshan with Taiping Telpher starting here.
Cloud Valley Scenic Area
With an elevation of only 890 meters (2, 920 feet), Cloud Valley Scenic Area does not lose out to other scenic areas for beauty. The pride of this area is the Cloud Valley Villa, old trees, oddly shaped rocks and the Nine-Dragon Waterfall and the Baizhang Spring.
The Cloud Valley Villa is a modern hotel with typical Hui- architectural style of grey tiles and horse-head walls.
There are three precious trees here. The Eastern China Douglas Fir that is 500 years old and the Southern Hemlock which is 800 years old; both stand firm and stately through their long history. One common feature of these two trees is that they both have two kinds of branches and two kinds of leaves, conifer and broad-leaf. The third super star is a ginkgo tree calculated to be 1,000 years. It will certainly catch your eye owing to its height of 26 meters (85 feet) and huge girth measuring 3.1 meters (10.17 feet).
The Nine-Dragon Waterfall plunges all of 300 meters (984feet) from the cliff top between the Incense Burner Peak and the Arhat Peak. The waterfall has nine leaps, each leap forms a waterfall and each fall feeds a pool, hence the name. This area is the so-called Rear Mountain and it is possible to climb all the way up.
White Cloud Scenic Area
White Cloud Scenic Area covers 16.5 square kilometers (6.37 square miles). The newly developed Dream Scenic Area is also included in it. Besides all its fascinating views, this area enjoys a tranquility that is lacking in other areas. You can take your time and idle around, fully grasping the beauties of nature.
This is also the best place for watching clouds and the sunset glow in both autumn and winter. Before the sun sets, the clouds turn pink, rose or red forming lines or layers in a variety of changing combinations. The clouds roll like waves when the weather clears after rain and you will find yourself completely lost in this dreamland. In a word, Mt. Huangshan is beautiful in all weathers and charming at all times.
Admission Fee: RMB 201 (Entrance charge)
RMB 81(Single ticket for Cloud Valley Telpher)
RMB 66 (Single ticket for Jade Screen Telpher)
RMB 66 (Single ticket for Taiping Telpher)
Opening Hours: 08:40 to 16:00