Huangshan Travel Tips
The mountains of Huangshan (the Yellow Mountains), one of China’s greatest wonders, host thousands of travelers every year. We have listed here our x
1. Choose the Right Time to Visit
Given its stunning natural scenery, Huangshan’s mountainous scenic area is worth visiting all year round. You can admire different types of beauty in each season. On days with clear skies, you will be awe-struck by the amazing views of the Yellow Mountains. But even on rainy days, you will have a chance to see a sea of clouds surrounding the mountains, rainbows, and powerful waterfalls.
The peak tourist season is from April to November. To get the best experience, avoid public holidays such as the Chinese National Day (1–7 October), Chinese New Year, and school summer holidays (July and August).
Please note that some of the attractions are not open round the year. West Sea Grand Canyon, Celestial Capital Peak (Tian Du Feng), and Lotus Peak close down every winter (December to March) as the paths become slippery due to snowfall.
To protect the forest, Celestial Capital Peak and Lotus Peak take turns to close every three to five years since 1987. So, these two attractions will not open at the same time. In 2019, Lotus Peak reopened to the public and Celestial Capital Peak closed. In 2023, Celestial Capital Peak will reopen.
2. Travel Light
You will climb numerous stairs while hiking on the mountain. We suggest you travel with a light pack and leave heavy luggage at the foot of the hill or in the downtown area to save energy. A backpack will be more comfortable to carry.
Depositing luggage at downtown hotels is a good choice. If the hotel option is unavailable, you can store your luggage at the Tourist Distribution Center (in Tangkou Town) or Huangshan Tourism Passenger Transport Hub (near Huangshan North Railway Station). The cost is about CN¥10–20.
If you prefer, you can hire a porter to carry your luggage around on the mountain. However, negotiate a price in advance. Anywhere around CN¥150 would be a fair price to pay for this service.
3. Take Cable Cars for a Better Experience
You are expected to climb more than 5 km (3 mi) every day on the mountain. To save time and energy, you can take a cable car to the top of the mountain and avoid the numerous steep and narrow stairs that lead up the mountain.
For a more comfortable trip, we recommend you take cable cars instead of hiking the entire way. Moreover, the cable cars offer spectacular views that are quite different from what you will see hiking up the mountain. Click here to get more details about Huangshan cable cars.
4. Plan the Hiking Route in Advance before Booking Your Stay
There are eight hotels actually on the Yellow Mountains. Some of them are located in the Beihai Scenic Area, some near the West Sea Grand Canyon, and only one in Front Huangshan.
The location of the hotel is critical while designing a hiking route. Choosing the right place to stay will make your hiking trip more relaxed, and you can see more highlights. Click here to find out Where to Stay in Huangshan.
Yellow Mountain Accommodation Map
5. Expect Beautiful Scenery but Modest Menus and Limited Hotel Luxuries
Needless to say, the views from any hotel on the Huangshan mountains is bound is to be stunning. However, meals and accommodation in the mountains are comparatively simple and extremely expensive due to their remote location and the limited number of options.
The prices are about three times higher than those in the downtown area, but you may find that the hotel facilities are not very good, especially the basic breakfasts and lower levels of service.
Travel Huangshan with Us
If you are planning a visit to Huangshan, feel free to contact us and tell us your requirements. We can tailor-make a tour package for you based on your preferences.
Check out our top Huangshan tour packages.