▲This is neither Mount Hua nor Zhangjiajie

Stepping into Huangshan is like entering an ink-wash landscape scroll, with every step filled with poetry. -📍 Where is Huangshan? - Location: Huangshan City, Anhui Province (formerly Huizhou area), about 2.5 hours by high-speed train from Hangzhou, about 3 hours from Shanghai. - How to get there? ✈️ Plane: Huangshan Tunxi International Airport (close to the city but fewer flights). 🚄 High-speed train: Huangshan North Station → transfer to scenic area shuttle bus (1 hour direct to the foot of Huangshan). 🚗 Self-driving: About 3-5 hours from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Anhui, navigate to "Huangshan Scenic Area South Gate." -🏞️ Must-visit spots in Huangshan ✅ Core scenic area (recommended 2 days 1 night) 1. Welcoming Pine (symbol of Huangshan, but very crowded, best to go early) 2. Bright Summit Peak (altitude 1860m, best sunrise viewing platform) 3. West Sea Grand Canyon (stunning trail, popular small train 100 RMB/person) 4. Shixin Peak (concentrated area of strange pines and rocks, great for photos) 5. Lotus Peak/Tiandu Peak (alternating openings, Lotus Peak open in 2024) ✅ Nearby recommendations (if time allows) - Hongcun/Xidi (ancient Huizhou-style villages, picturesque like ink paintings) - Emerald Valley (filming location of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," crystal clear water) - Tunxi Old Street (Huangshan city center, great for food and souvenirs) -🍜 What to eat in Huangshan? 🔥 Must-try Huizhou cuisine 1. Stinky Mandarin Fish (smells bad but tastes delicious, top Huizhou dish!) 2. Fermented Tofu (tofu with mold, unique texture) 3. Bamboo Shoot Braised Pork (Huangshan produces lots of bamboo shoots, fresh and flavorful) 4. Huangshan Sesame Seed Cake (with preserved vegetables and crispy crust, top souvenir) 🍽️ Recommended restaurants - On the mountain: Baiyun Hotel Restaurant (expensive but convenient) - At the foot: Laojie Diyi Lou (long-established Huizhou cuisine in Tunxi Old Street) -🏨 Where to stay in Huangshan? 1. Mountain top accommodation (essential for sunrise viewing) - Bright Summit Peak Hotel (best location, but expensive and hard to book) - Baiyun Hotel (cost-effective, close to Bright Summit Peak) - Paiyun Lodge (near West Sea Grand Canyon, relatively new) 💰 Price: Off-season 600-1000+ RMB/night, doubles in peak season 2. Foot of the mountain accommodation (budget option) - Tangkou Town: many budget hotels, good for early mountain ascent next day - Hongcun/Xidi: ancient-style guesthouses, good for slow travel -🚠 How to explore Huangshan? 📌 Classic route (2 days 1 night) Day 1: Take Yungu Temple cable car up → Shixin Peak → Black Tiger Pine → Beihai Hotel → West Sea Grand Canyon → Paiyun Pavilion → stay on the mountain Day 2: Sunrise at Bright Summit Peak → Welcoming Pine → Yuping Cable Car down → Hongcun/Tunxi Old Street ⏰ Best seasons - Spring and autumn (April-May/September-November): stable weather, high chance of sea of clouds - Winter (December-February): beautiful snow scenes, but some trails closed - Avoid: summer vacation (crowded + strong sun) + rainy season (June-July foggy) -⚠️ Pitfall tips 1. Don’t carry too much up the mountain! Prices are high but carrying heavy loads uphill is more tiring. 2. Book mountain top accommodation in advance! No rooms on the day, prices outrageous. 3. Check weather before departure! Rainy days = whiteout. 4. Avoid holidays! National Day/Labor Day queues are maddening. 5. Wear non-slip shoes! Steps are slippery, especially after rain. -🎒 Essential packing list - ID card, power bank, sunscreen - Lightweight down jacket (big temperature difference on the mountain) - Hiking poles (5 RMB each at the foot, lifesaver) - Snacks + water (instant noodles on the mountain cost 30 RMB, bringing your own is cheaper) -📢 Summary: Is Huangshan worth visiting? ✅ Suitable for: travelers who love natural scenery, can endure hardship, and have sufficient budget ❌ Not recommended for: those who hate hiking, travel with elderly or children, or seek comfort "After visiting the Five Great Mountains, no other mountains compare; after visiting Huangshan, no other peaks compare" — but the premise is, you are ready! 🚡