Hongcun - Bishan - Nanping - Xidi - Xixinan - Chengkan - Huangshan

⭐ Conclusion first: Chengkan and Bishan are the highlights; the others are just because you’re already there. Regarding the itinerary: a reasonable route should be Airport or Huangshan North Station - Xixinan - Chengkan - Xidi - Nanping - Bishan - Hongcun in that order. However, since we arranged a photoshoot in Hongcun, we went there first to shoot early the next morning. ✅ Arrived in the afternoon, stayed at Huangshan Resort Wanglu Courtyard, with a view of Lucun (Photo 2). It had just rained, giving a misty, rainy southern Anhui feel. The room was, haha, probably a model room. Dinner was at an affordable small restaurant in Lucun. Breakfast was at the nearby Banyan Tree. ✅ Hongcun (Photo 3) was very crowded. Hongcun + Xidi tickets cost 178 RMB. The photoshoot, compared to the Platinum Duke in Xishuangbanna, was quite different; the price was not cheap, 599 RMB for nine photos, makeup was rough with heavy powder, and costumes were limited. ✅ Bishan has no entrance fee and is a small village suitable for relaxing vacations. Bishan Youzha Inn (Pigpen Bar) serves lunch; navigate to the old Bishan Oil Factory store, behind which is a small river. The dessert shop opposite the cooperative store is also okay. Inside the cooperative store, there is a "Five Stripes Popular Store" that has nothing. Check in at Bishan Bookstore. ✅ Nanping ticket is 35 RMB. Takes about 20 minutes. Seems to be the filming location of "Ju Dou." ✅ Xidi. About 50 minutes. ✅ Xixinan (Photo 9). Buyer’s show vs. seller’s show. Water bamboo raft costs 48 RMB per person and can go upstream. Optional visit. ✅ Chengkan. The homestay owner helped buy tickets, 95 RMB per person, valid for three days, so we went to Chengkan again on the last day. The homestay "Huajian Stroll Leisure Courtyard" has a nice owner. Parking is in front of his restaurant; the homestay is inside Chengkan. Chengkan requires a guide; it’s like a maze. At the south gate, there is a Korean BBQ restaurant with two small portions of grilled meat for 158 RMB (Photo 13). The Bagua Gate is outside the south gate of the scenic area; further back, it’s quiet and pleasant. The Fish Lantern performance and fireworks are at Yongxing Lake, called "One Night Fish and Dragon Dance." The fish lantern performance circles around and is participatory, with fish lantern dancing on the bridge. ✅ Huangshan is not hard to climb if you skip Tianfeng. After descending, you can get a massage, but it didn’t feel necessary. It’s less tiring than Yunqiu Mountain. Buy a trekking pole. If your stamina is really poor, it’s recommended to go up Yuping and down Yungu because Yuping starts right at the Welcoming Pine and is not far from Bright Summit Peak. Feilai Stone and Monkey Watching Sea depend on your stamina. It’s not as steep as Huashan, and there aren’t many steps; there are many gentle paths. We didn’t go to the West Sea Grand Canyon, fearing missing the cable car down. It’s recommended to stay at the south gate; don’t listen to the restaurant people at the gate who say to go to the west or north gate—it’s very far. ✅ Skip Tunxi Old Street; go to Liyang In Alley across the street instead. Local transportation is inconvenient; renting a car is more convenient. The roads are mostly mountain roads with speed limits. Parking requires attention; you can only park at a restaurant if you eat there, even if it’s far away, as long as it’s within their designated area. Photo 15 shows attractions around Hongcun. Photo 16 is the small Huangshan loop, which saves effort.