Compared to Huangshan, I love this low-key hidden fairy mountain even more!
Instead of squeezing into Huangshan, head to this "White Mountain"—Qiyun Mountain! Facing Huangshan across the mountain, with Danxia red cliffs paired with Huizhou ink-wash style, full of Taoist fairy vibes. The key point: from November 15 to 30, Zhejiang residents get free admission. Just a 1.5-hour drive, fewer crowds, stunning scenery, and great photo ops. Autumn and winter trips here are a guaranteed win!
Qiyun Mountain Scenic Area, Qiyun Mountain Town, Xiuning County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
2 days 1 night in-depth itinerary (suitable for both self-driving and non-self-driving)
Day 1: Have fun in Qiyun Town (the night scene is even better than the day!)
- Weather: Sunny, 18-24°C
- Outfit: Light-colored dress + denim jacket, paired with canvas shoes (easy for strolling, eating, and dancing), bring a silk scarf (great for photos and wind protection)
- Itinerary & Prices:
1. Arrive at 2 PM: First rush to Hengjiang mountain water bamboo rafting (80 RMB/person, 40 minutes). The Huizhou-style horse-head walls on both sides reflect on the water, like stepping into an ink painting.
2. Photo tips: Sit in the front row of the bamboo raft, turn your head back with a smile, have the boatman as the background, let the scarf flutter for better shots; bring an oil-paper umbrella as a prop, look down while adjusting the umbrella surface for a full atmosphere.
3. 4 PM: Explore Qiyun Town, free NPC interactive games, win silver tickets to exchange for handmade small ornaments, take photos with NPCs dressed as Taoist priests, do peace signs or bow with hands clasped, very immersive.
4. Dinner: Head to a local Huizhou cuisine restaurant, must-try Mao tofu (20 RMB/portion), Huangshan baked cake (10 RMB/box), and a bowl of Huizhou stinky mandarin fish (68 RMB/portion), so fresh it’ll blow your mind. For food photos, shoot from above, chopsticks holding fish meat to boost appetite.
5. 7 PM: White Mountain Phantom Sound Festival (free), DJ party, dance with the crowd, capture jumping moments, turn on the flash for more atmosphere.
6. 8:05 PM: Visitor center small square iron flower show + fire pot shaking + fireworks show (free), stand at the back on higher ground, capture sparks flying from the iron flower, pose sideways looking up, backlighting looks great too.
7. Bonus: Every Friday and Saturday, Hengjiang Golden Dragon Dance (free), follow the dragon lantern, shoot dynamic videos with ancient-style BGM, don’t miss it!
- Transportation: Walkable within the town, park your car and explore easily, super convenient.
Day 2: Qiyun Mountain Hiking (Danxia + Taoist secret realm)
- Weather: Cloudy, 15-22°C
- Outfit: Quick-dry base layer + light shell jacket + sports pants + hiking shoes, bring a hat (sun and wind protection), wear light-colored clothes (contrast well with Danxia red for photos)
- [Angel] Itinerary, prices & order:
1. 8:15 AM: Take the Yuehua cableway up the mountain (60 RMB/person one way, operating 8:15-17:00, don’t be late!), easy even if not driving, avoid exhaustion.
2. Hiking route (5-hour loop, no backtracking): Wangxian Pavilion → Dongtian Fudi → Shouzi Rock → First Heaven Gate → True Immortal Cave → Second Heaven Gate → Third Heaven Gate → Yuehua Sky Street → Taisu Palace → Little Pot Heaven → Yuxu Palace → Five Old Peaks → Ziyun Pass → Fang La Village → Danxia mysterious corridor → highest peak → cableway down.
3. Key photo spots:
- First Heaven Gate: Stand inside the gate facing out, turn sideways and look up, use Danxia rock wall as background, arms open wide as if embracing nature.
- True Immortal Cave: Shoot side profile on the plank road, use light and shadow on the rock wall, bring a string of Buddhist beads, look down and touch them, very zen.
- Yuehua Sky Street: Free autumn harvest installation photos, stand in front of corn cobs and red chili racks, reach up to pick chili, bright smile full of life.
- Little Pot Heaven: Shoot silhouette at the cave entrance, best at sunset, hands behind back, look up at the sky.
4. Lunch: Yuehua Sky Street farmhouse, stir-fried greens (18 RMB), native chicken pot (88 RMB), great value, sit by the window for photos with distant mountains as background, very cozy to eat and shoot.
5. 3 PM: Reach the highest peak, overlook the entire Danxia landform, take full-body photos with arms wide open, feeling like "all other mountains are small," bring a small national flag for full atmosphere.
- Hiking tips: Wear moisture-wicking base layers, hiking makes you sweat, it’s windy at the top so don’t catch a cold; Yuehua Sky Street has small shops, no need to carry much water or snacks, lighten your load.
- Tickets: Original price 75 RMB (includes scenic area transport), Zhejiang residents free with ID from 11.15 to 11.30 (only admission free, cableway extra)
- Weather: Autumn 15-25°C, cool mornings and evenings, warm midday, dry with little rain, perfect for hiking
- Transportation: Self-driving (1.5-3 hours direct from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai; parking 20 RMB/day); Non-driving (high-speed rail to Huangshan North Station/Yixian East Station, taxi 30 minutes 30-50 RMB, or direct bus 10 RMB/person)
Which do you want to experience more, bamboo rafting or night clubbing?