Dare to challenge the cliff plank road in the Taoist secret realm of Qiyun Mountain? A light luxury weekend micro-trip
Qiyun Mountain · Danxia Secret Realm|A lesser-known Taoist immortal mountain that rivals Huangshan|Hiking + Sea of Clouds + Cliff Dwelling full guide|Travel blogger tested route|Anhui’s hidden gem
In Anhui, there is a seriously underrated immortal mountain—
It has the strange peaks of Huangshan, but with less hustle and bustle;
It carries the Taoist charm of Wudang, yet with a touch more earthly warmth.
It is: **Qiyun Mountain**
📍 Qiyunshan Town, Xiuning County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
Not a “Little Huangshan,”
But one of China’s Four Great Taoist Mountains,
And the ultimate representation of the Danxia landform in southern China.
As a travel blogger who just returned from hiking,
I use this guide to tell you:
Why Qiyun Mountain
Is the most worthwhile “light luxury” niche destination around Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai.
🌄 Qiyun Mountain · Core Highlights
- ✅ Danxia Wonders: Red cliffs and towering stone peaks, like carved by knives and axes
- ✅ Taoist Holy Land: Thousand-year-old Taoist temples, morning bells and evening drums, continuous incense
- ✅ Cliff Plank Road: Walking along the cliff wall, with a thousand-foot abyss below, heart racing
- ✅ Sea of Clouds and Buddha’s Light: After rain clears, waves of clouds roll like a fairyland
- ✅ Niche and Quiet: Avoid Huangshan crowds, few tourists, peaceful and free
- ✅ Convenient Transport: High-speed rail to [Huangshan North Station], then 1-hour transfer by bus
🗺 Suggested Itinerary: 1-day essential hiking route (suitable for day trips/weekend micro-trips)
> Route type: Scenic area gate → Zhenxian Cave → Yuehua Street → Yuxu Palace → Summit Baiyun Ridge → Return
> Total distance: about 6 km (loop)
> Duration: 4–5 hours (including photos and breaks)
> Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (moderate-low, many steps but gentle slope)
📍 First section: Mountain Gate → Zhenxian Cave (0–40 minutes)
- Enter from the scenic area entrance, walk slowly up the stone steps
- Ancient trees tower on both sides, streams babble
- Arrive at the first stop—Zhenxian Cave:
- Taoist stone grottoes on the cliff, enshrining the Eight Immortals, Lü Dongbin, and others
- Deep inside the cave, incense lingers; legend says Lüzu once cultivated here
> 📸 Photo spot: Platform in front of the cave, perfect for “Danxia red cliffs + silhouette”
📍 Second section: Zhenxian Cave → Yuehua Street (40–80 minutes)
- Continue forward to Yuehua Street—
- An ancient street hanging on the mountainside, called the “Heavenly Market”
- On both sides are Ming and Qing style Taoist temples, inns, and tea houses
- Take a break, drink a cup of Qiyun Mountain wild tea, listen to Taoist priests talk about health preservation
> ✅ Recommended experiences:
> - Draw a Taoist fortune stick at “Taisu Palace” (free)
> - Taste Taoist vegetarian dishes (25 RMB/serving, light and healthy)
📍 Third section: Yuehua Street → Yuxu Palace → Baiyun Ridge (80–180 minutes)
- Climb higher into the core scenic area: Yuxu Palace
- The largest Taoist temple on Qiyun Mountain, red walls and black tiles, majestic
- The front plaza overlooks the valley; on clear days, the sea of clouds surges
- From Yuxu Palace, challenge the Baiyun Ridge plank road:
- 800 meters long, built along the Danxia cliff
- Narrow sections fit only one person, with a hundred-meter deep valley below
- Along the way are thrilling spots like “Flying Centipede Cliff” and “One Line Sky”
> ⚠️ Note: Not recommended for those afraid of heights! But the handrails are sturdy and safe
- Reach the highest peak, Baiyun Ridge (elevation 585 meters)
- Panoramic views of peaks like a sea, Danxia red cliffs interwoven with green forests
- If you encounter the sea of clouds, it feels like being in the fairyland of Penglai
📍 Fourth section: Descend → Return
- Return the same way or take the eastern route down (more gentle)
- Before leaving the scenic area, visit Xiaohutian: a miniature grotto garden, exquisite like a bonsai
🕯 Extended activities (for deep travelers)
| Activity | Details | Cost | Tips |
|----------|---------|------|------|
| Taoist temple overnight stay | Stay at a Taoist temple inn on Yuehua Street, hear morning bells and evening drums | 200–300 RMB/night | Reservation required |
| Tai Chi morning exercise | Practice Tai Chi with Taoist priests early morning | Free | Starts at 6:30, Yuxu Palace front plaza |
| Cliff photography | Plank road + sea of clouds + Danxia, great photo spots | Free | Recommend wide-angle lens + tripod |
| Taoist blessing | Request a peace talisman or join a ritual | 50–100 RMB | Sincerity is key |
💰 Cost reference (per person)
| Item | Cost |
|-------|------|
| Entrance ticket | 80 RMB (includes cable car down ticket) |
| Transport | Huangshan North Station → Qiyun Mountain bus/ride share 40 RMB round trip |
| Lunch | Taoist vegetarian meal 25 RMB |
| Accommodation | Taoist temple inn 250 RMB (optional) |
| Total | About 150 RMB and up (one-day trip) |
📸 Photo guide
- Best time: 6:00–8:00 AM (sea of clouds + light and shadow)
- Outfit suggestion: Plain robes, Hanfu, Zen style to match the ancient temples
- Recommended spots:
- Yuehua Street overlooking the “Heavenly Market”
- Baiyun Ridge plank road “cliff walk” silhouette
- Yuxu Palace red wall corner “light and shadow doorway”
🌿 Travel blogger’s whisper
Standing on Baiyun Ridge,
The wind blows from the valley,
Clouds flow beneath my feet,
I suddenly understand:
Taoism’s “wu wei” (non-action) is not lying flat,
But being still like a mountain, moving like a cloud.
Qiyun Mountain does not compete,
Yet it stands majestic;
It does not speak,
But with Danxia and Taoist sounds,
It tells the story of a thousand years of cultivation.
- If you are tired of check-in style tourism,
Come to Qiyun Mountain.
Walk a stretch of cliff plank road,
Drink a cup of mountain tea,
And let your soul
Reach a summit too.
📌 Practical information:
- Navigation: “Qiyunshan Scenic Area” (Xiuning County)
- High-speed rail: to [Huangshan North Station] → transfer to “Qiyunshan Tourism Express” bus (every 30 minutes)
- Phone: Scenic area inquiry 0559-757 9999
- Opening hours: 7:00–17:00 (until 16:30 in winter)