Deep Dive into Southern Anhui | 6-Day 5-Night Road Trip Guide from Shanghai to Anhui

Want to escape the city bustle for a slow-paced journey through mountains and rivers? Drive from Shanghai to Anhui, where you'll admire the ink-painting villages of Hongcun, marvel at the sea of clouds and terraced fields in Poshancun, and explore the Taoist wonderland of Qiyun Mountain. Spend six days and five nights immersing yourself in nature and culture! Save this guide covering food, stays, and transportation to effortlessly embark on a healing journey~ 🚗 Itinerary (Shanghai → Anhui, ~500km+, flexible route) 🔹Day 1: Shanghai → Hongcun Morning: Drive along the Hukun Expressway, then switch to Jingtai Expressway (~6h to Hongcun, with rest stops). Afternoon: Stroll through Hongcun! See white walls and black tiles reflected in Moon Pond, walk the flagstone paths by South Lake, and explore ancient alleys to discover old mansions—experience the serenity of a "village straight out of a Chinese painting." Evening: Stay in a Hongcun guesthouse, where horse-head walls greet you at the door, and fall asleep to the sound of frogs~ 🔹Day 2: Deep Dive into Hongcun Early morning: Head to the viewing platform to capture Hongcun’s morning mist (if lucky, you’ll witness an ethereal ink-wash scene). Daytime: Visit Chengzhi Hall and Jingxiu Hall to admire the "three carvings" (wood, stone, and brick) of Huizhou architecture. Bring a Hanfu outfit for stunning photos on South Lake Bridge and Painting Bridge📷 Evening: Dine at a lakeside restaurant—try stinky mandarin fish and hairy tofu paired with rice wine for authentic Huizhou flavors~ 🔹Day 3: Hongcun → Poshancun (~1.5h drive, scenic provincial roads) Morning: Head to Poshancun, "Huangshan’s most beautiful highland village!" Enjoy mountain views along the winding road, and be awed by terraced tea fields at the village entrance. Afternoon: Hike through the village! Walk ancient flagstone paths past centuries-old Huizhou homes nestled in the hills. Find a high spot to wait for the sea of clouds—especially after rain, when mist blankets the terraces and curls around houses like a dream☁️ Evening: Stay in a Poshancun homestay, savor home-cooked dishes (bamboo shoots with pork, stone fungus omelet), and unwind to mountain breezes and insect songs~ 🔹Day 4: Poshancun → Qiyun Mountain (~1h drive) Morning: Leisurely drive to Qiyun Mountain, with a quick stop at Yuliang Dam (perfect for photos). Take the cable car up (or hike the ancient "Sky Street" path) to marvel at Danxia landforms and patchwork-like farmland below. Afternoon: Explore Moonlight Sky Street! This "heavenly market" hides Taoist temples and old teahouses. Try Qiyun vegetarian noodles, then sit on the steps watching Taoist priests pass by to the sound of temple bells—pure zen~ Evening: Stay at a Qiyun Mountain lodge, brew tea, and reflect on the day’s mystical adventures~ 🔹Day 5: Qiyun Mountain → Free Exploration (or a "recharge day" before heading back) Early morning: Return to Qiyun Mountain for sunrise! Watch the first light spill over clouds from Incense Burner Peak—breathtaking! Or explore hidden cliff carvings and lesser-known viewpoints. Daytime: Visit nearby Huizhou villages (like Chengkan or Tangmo) for more cultural gems, or lounge at your lodge, soaking up the sun. Evening: Recharge with a bowl of free-range chicken soup for the journey home~ 🔹Day 6: Qiyun Mountain → Shanghai (~6h drive, rest as needed) After a relaxed morning, pack up, grab a bite at a service area, and drive back to Shanghai, carrying the tranquility of mountains and rivers with you~ 🍜 Must-Try Dishes (Huizhou flavors + rustic mountain cuisine) ✔️Hongcun: • Stinky Mandarin Fish: Funky aroma, tender flesh—unmissable! • Hairy Tofu: Golden-fried with spicy sauce, crispy outside, soft inside. • Hongcun Rice Wine: Sweet-tart and low-alcohol, perfect with night views~ ✔️Poshancun: • Bamboo Shoots with Pork: Local bamboo shoots simmered with free-range pork—divine! • Stone Fungus Omelet: Wild mountain fungus + farm eggs—unbelievably fresh! ✔️Qiyun Mountain: • Qiyun Vegetarian Noodles: Simple yet infused with mountain spring water’s freshness, best paired with Huangshan chrysanthemum tea. 📌 Pro Tips 1. Anhui’s mountain roads are winding—drive cautiously, especially around Poshancun and Qiyun Mountain (slow driving = safer + better views~). 2. Rent an e-guide in Hongcun for deeper insights into ancient homes. Qiyun Mountain offers combo tickets (cable car + entry); hiking the ancient path is free but strenuous—choose wisely! 3. Best times for Poshancun’s sea of clouds: Spring (Mar-Apr) for rapeseed flowers + mist, summer (Jun-Aug) post-rain, autumn/winter (Oct-Dec) for mist with red leaves/snow—each season dazzles! 4. For a slower pace, extend stays in Hongcun or Poshancun: join tea-picking or Hui ink cake-making, or attend a Taoist lecture at Qiyun Mountain—more healing than rushing! From Shanghai, pack Hongcun’s poetic charm, Poshancun’s misty terraces, and Qiyun Mountain’s Taoist mystique into your soul. Six days, five nights—no rush, no checklist—just sync with nature’s rhythm for the ultimate unwind🌿 Let Anhui’s mountains and villages heal your weariness~