Mount Huangshan

Introducing Mount Huangshan
Mount Huangshan, literally translated as Yellow Mountain, ranks among the Great Wall and the famous Terracotta Warriors as one of China's most luring tourist attractions. Located in the eastern province of Anhui, Mount Huangshan is a convenient train or bus ride from urban centers like Hangzhou and Shanghai—a perfect getaway for visitors in search of fresh air and a chance to experience China’s natural beauty. As an international ecotourism point of interest, UNESCO listed Mount Huangshan as an official World Cultural Heritage Site in 1990.

Mount Huangshan Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Huangshan 黄山
• Best Time to Visit: March to November
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 days
• Things to Do: Photography, Hiking, Nature
• Opening Hours: 06:30-16:30 (Monday to Friday, Sunday); 06:00-16:30 (Saturday)
• Entrance Fee: ¥190 from Jan 21 to Dec 19; ¥150 from Dec 20 to Jan 20
• Address: Huangshan District, Tangkou Town, Huangshan, Anhui Province

What to expect at Mount Huangshan

Known for its unique pines, geological formations, dream-like clouds and clear hot springs, Mount Huangshan is known in China as The Number One Mountain Under Heaven; though, with close to eighty awe-inspiring peaks in excess of 1,000 meters tall, Mount Huangshan is actually an entire range of mountains and valleys, sure to impress the dedicated outdoor tourist or those in search of China's best mountain resorts. The jutting rocks, shimmering pools, gurgling water falls and the ephemeral clouds that make up the mountain's dreamlike ambience are sure to invoke images of the most famous Chinese art.

Of Mount Huangshan's many peaks, the three most widely known are The Lotus Peak, The Brilliant Top Mountain, and The Celestial Capital, all of which rise a stunning 1,800 meters above sea-level. The granite mountains are dotted with massive natural stone colums, webbed with deep crevices, and feature the jutting peaks so often illustrated by Chinese artists.

Besides the dense forests that blanket the region, the unique terrain and latitudinal climate change cause noticeable distinctions in the mountain flora as elevation rises: plants on the summit must be able to thrive in frigid air and on frozen ground, temperate-zone vegetation can be found on the middle levels of the mountain, and at the foot of the mountain subtropical plants.Mount Huangshan is a botanical garden unlike anywhere else in the world. The trees of Mount Huangshan occupy an especially important place in China's botanical research. Here you will find century-old pines, firs, ginkgoes, actinidia, Chinese torreyas and camphor woods-- remnants of the glacial era. Many of the trees are celebrated on account of their age, contorted shape, or precipitously perched position. Mount Huangshan is also home to flowers unique to the mountain, such as orchids and the Mount Huangshan magnolias.

Mount Huangshan's climate is mild and humid, and the temperature is agreeable during all four seasons. In July, the summer's hottest month, the temperature falls between 70 and 80 °F. The white, billowy cloud cover alleviates sunrays, ensuring that guests to the mountain are always comfortable. The area lies in a subtropical zone, so winter months range from 25 °F to 40 °F—cold enough to result in unmatched snow scenery, but mild enough to enjoy outdoor activity in a world draped with icicles. Today, Huangshan Mountain has developed a world-famous reputation as a must-see tourist site. With its convenient facilities: three cable lines, four three-star hotels on the peak, and all the paths paved with flat stones, it lures millions of visitors, foreign and domestic.

How to get to Mount Huangshan

From Huangshan
• Take a bus from Huangshan Long-distance General Bus Station (Tunxi Bus Statioin) to the scenic area directly.

From Shanghai
• Take a bus from Shanghai Long-distance South Bus Station to Huangshan Scenic Area (6-8hours) directly.

From Hangzhou
• Take a bus from Hangzhou West Bus Station to Huangshan Scenic Area (4-5hours) directly.

Additional travel advice on Mount Huangshan
• Please wear comfortable hiking shoes with a good grip.
• It often rains on the mountain. Please prepare an umbrella or a raincoat along with you.
• Long-sleeved clothes or warm jackets are necessary as the temperature on the mountain is lower than that at the foot of the mountain.
• Many attractions inside the scenic area (such as West Sea Valley, etc.) are closed in winter. Please check the most updated information in advance.