A rendezvous with the sea of clouds! A 3-day in-depth guide to Huangshan: Unlock the secret realms of the "Four Wonders" and Huizhou’s local charm

Hidden in the folds of the southern Anhui mountains, Huangshan holds the totem of Chinese landscape—here, ancient pines have rooted on cliffs for 800 years, bizarre rocks shift shapes in the mist, the sea of clouds surges like a fairyland, and hot springs flow with millennia of warmth. This guide helps you avoid the crowds and fully experience the natural wonders and Huizhou flavor of the "Number One Marvelous Mountain Under Heaven." 1. Pre-trip Tips: Decoding Huangshan’s Practical Secrets Best Travel Periods - Spring and Autumn Golden Period (April-May, September-November): Temperatures stay between 10-25°C, with little rainfall and over 60% chance of sea of clouds. Rhododendrons bloom in April, and in October, maple leaves and pine needles create layered autumn colors—perfect for photography and hiking. - Winter Snow Season (December-February): After snowfall, Huangshan is draped in silver, with frost hanging on branches. Visitors drop by 30%, but some plank roads may be closed, so check park announcements in advance. Transportation and Accommodation Tips - Transportation: Prioritize high-speed rail to Huangshan North Station, then take a 1-hour tourist shuttle bus to Tangkou Town (the park’s transfer center) for 20 RMB. Inside the park, a "bus + cable car" system connects core areas via three cable cars: Yungu, Yuping, and Taiping. In 2025, a new "electronic queue system" will allow advance QR code reservations to avoid 2-hour lines during peak season. - Accommodation Choices: - Mountain Top: For sunrise lovers, choose Bright Summit Pavilion Lodge, where floor-to-ceiling windows open to the rolling sea of clouds. Standard rooms average 680 RMB/night, with higher prices for bottled water (15 RMB/bottle). Beihai Hotel and West Sea Hotel offer fewer crowds and quiet scenery with exclusive canyon views. Popular hotels require booking 30 days in advance; some packages include luggage transfer services directly from the foot of the mountain. - Mountain Foot: Tangkou Town offers the best value. Dexin Cultural Boutique Hotel’s "Sunrise Package" includes early shuttle, breakfast, and down jacket rental for about 80 RMB per person, making it easy to catch the early sunrise. The hotel’s shuttle takes 5 minutes directly to Yungu Temple cable car station. Must-Bring and Avoid List - Must-Bring: Lightweight windbreaker (day-night temperature difference over 15°C), professional hiking shoes (non-slip for wet steps, avoid flat shoes), folding trekking poles (save 30% energy), sunscreen and sunglasses (strong UV at the summit); carry ID and reservation code as the park enforces real-name entry. - Avoid: Power banks (charging stations are sufficient at the summit, reduce weight), excessive snacks (park food is pricey but acceptable; West Sea Hotel’s Huizhou fried rice is 45 RMB and very filling). 2. Core Itinerary: Fully Experience Huangshan in 3 Days Day 1: Leisurely Back Mountain Tour, Unlocking Strange Pines and Rocks Take the cable car from Yungu Temple in the morning, reaching Bai’e Ridge in 10 minutes. Follow the gentle trail to Shixin Peak, the "exhibition hall" of Huangshan’s strange pines—Black Tiger Pine, Twin Pines, Dragon Claw Pine all with unique shapes. The viewing platform near Beihai Hotel offers great shots of pine branches and bizarre rocks together. In the afternoon, explore Monkey Watching the Sea. On clear days, you can see a stone monkey crouching on the cliff gazing afar; on misty days, it becomes "Monkey Watching the Clouds." Note there is a hidden camera spot here—ask your guide in advance to avoid crowds. At dusk, climb Danxia Peak; around 6:00 PM, the sunset dyes the sky golden-red, and the glow spills over the West Sea Grand Canyon’s cliffs, creating stunning light and shadow layers. Stay overnight at Beihai Hotel, a 25-minute walk from the next day’s sunrise spot. Day 2: Canyon Trekking, Chasing Sea of Clouds and Sunrise Depart at 5:30 AM, take the secret passage beside West Sea Hotel to Danxia Peak viewing platform, saving 40% energy compared to the usual route and securing front-row spots for sunrise. In October, sunrise is between 5:45-6:15 AM; when sunlight pierces the sea of clouds, the entire mountain is bathed in golden light. In the morning, challenge the West Sea Grand Canyon. The cliff plank roads of Loop 1 and Loop 2 are thrilling, with deep valleys below and strange peaks beside. If energy is low, take the popular small train (100 RMB one way) directly to the valley bottom. In the afternoon, climb Bright Summit Pavilion, the second highest peak of Huangshan and the best spot to watch the sea of clouds. Around 2 PM, the mist moves fastest, sometimes cascading like a waterfall, sometimes dancing like light veils. At dusk, head to Paiyun Pavilion to see bizarre rocks like "Immortal Drying Boots" gradually changing shape in the twilight. Stay overnight at Bright Summit Pavilion Lodge. Day 3: Front Mountain Sightseeing, Farewell and Reflection Early morning, catch the Bright Summit Pavilion sunrise again (arrive early as it’s crowded). Then follow the trail via Aoyu Peak and Hundred-step Cloud Ladder to the summit of Lotus Peak (Huangshan’s highest peak at 1864 meters). From the top, enjoy panoramic views of Huizhou villages and Qiandao Lake. Arrive at Yuping Building by 10 AM to take photos with the welcoming pine tree over a thousand years old, a symbol of Huangshan. Avoid the 9 AM tour group rush. Then take the Yuping cable car down to end the mountain journey. In the afternoon, rest in Tangkou Town and reward yourself with a Huizhou cuisine dinner. 3. Huizhou Flavors: Tastes Hidden Among Mountains and Waters Must-Try Classic Dishes - Huizhou Stinky Mandarin Fish: Signature dish at "Big Fool Huizhou Cuisine Garden" on Tunxi Old Street. Peach blossom mandarin fish fermented in wooden barrels, braised until the meat flakes like garlic cloves. Smells pungent but tastes delicious, best paired with homemade rice wine. About 73 RMB per person. - Mao Tofu: A must-visit stall by an elderly lady at Liyang in Alley Night Market. 5 RMB per skewer, freshly fried and eaten on the spot. Crispy outside, soft inside, dipped in spicy sauce for an explosive flavor. Said to have been praised by Emperor Qianlong. - Huangshan Double Stone Soup: A rustic delicacy at Tangkou farmhouse restaurants. Stone chicken and stone ear mushrooms slow-cooked over fire for 4 hours, milky white broth rich in flavor. About 50 RMB per person for a hearty meal. - Huangshan Baked Flatbread: Freshly baked at Hu Xingtang theme store, 12 RMB per bag. The combination of preserved vegetables and fatty pork is crumbly and delicious. New flavors like spicy and seaweed are great snacks. Pitfall Warnings - Beware of "599 RMB all-inclusive" low-price tours, often involving room downgrades or canceled guide services. Choose reputable agencies and confirm "double compensation for substandard accommodation" clauses. - Be cautious buying "wild specialty products" at park entrances. Authentic souvenirs include Wucheng tea cakes from Xie Yuda Tea Shop and kudzu starch balls from Wang Yitiao Wonton Shop. - Stay on marked trails, do not climb over railings. Undeveloped areas lack safety guarantees. For disputes, call complaint hotline 0559-12345 for protection. From Danxia Peak’s sunset to Bright Summit Pavilion’s sea of clouds, from the sturdy welcoming pine to the rich stinky mandarin fish, Huangshan’s beauty goes beyond landscapes. Here, every step is a scene, every bite a story. Slow down to truly understand the mountain’s millennia-old spirit.