Attractions · Huangshan

Huangshan Scenic Area is a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, famed for its five wonders: odd pines, grotesque rocks, sea of clouds, hot springs and winter snow. The main peak, Lotus Peak, rises 1,864 metres, with peaks competing in beauty and ever-changing weather. The Welcoming Pine, with its graceful form, has become a symbol of Chinese hospitality. Highlights include Bright Summit, Tiandu Peak and the West Sea Grand Canyon. Famous for its odd pines, grotesque rocks, sea of clouds, hot springs and winter snow, it offers spectacular sights such as the Welcoming Pine, Bright Summit, Tiandu Peak and the West Sea Grand Canyon; from the summits you can watch the sunrise over the sea of clouds — the foremost of all wondrous mountains. Tip: it is recommended to ascend by the front mountain and descend by the back mountain, with cable car assistance available. Practical info: located at Tangkou Town, Huangshan District, Huangshan City, Anhui; ticket ¥190 (peak season); opening hours 06:30–17:00. Best season: spring (Mar–May) offers a high chance of seeing the sea of clouds; autumn (Sep–Nov) turns the forests red and gold; winter (Dec–Feb) brings rime ice and snow. Combine with Hongcun, Xidi and Tunxi Old Street in Huangshan for a half-day or full-day itinerary.

Tip: It is recommended to ascend by the front mountain and descend by the back mountain, with cable car assistance…

• Address: Tangkou Town, Huangshan District, Huangshan City, Anhui
• Ticket: ¥190 (peak season)
• Opening: 06:30–17:00

Founded in the Southern Song dynasty, Hongcun is laid out in the shape of an ox: Moon Marsh is the stomach, South Lake the belly and the water channels the intestines. White-walled, dark-tiled Hui-style buildings are reflected in Moon Marsh and South Lake, forming a natural ink-wash painting and earning the name 'village in a Chinese painting'. Highlights include Chengzhi Hall and the Hui-style building cluster. A World Cultural Heritage site and a model Hui-style ancient village, Hongcun is shaped like an ox, with Moon Marsh and South Lake reflecting white walls and dark tiles; it is known as a 'village in a Chinese painting' and a living fossil of Huizhou architecture. Tip: light is most beautiful at dawn and dusk, ideal for photography. Practical info: located at Hongcun Town, Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui; ticket ¥104; opening hours 07:30–17:30. Best season: spring (Mar–May) offers a high chance of seeing the sea of clouds; autumn (Sep–Nov) turns the forests red and gold; winter (Dec–Feb) brings rime ice and snow. Combine with Huangshan Scenic Area, Xidi and Tunxi Old Street in Huangshan for a half-day or full-day itinerary. Check the day's opening and reservation rules before you go, and allow enough time to explore.

Tip: Light is most beautiful at dawn and dusk, ideal for photography.

• Address: Hongcun Town, Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui
• Ticket: ¥104
• Opening: 07:30–17:30

Huizhou Ancient City lies in Huicheng Town, Shexian County. Since Shexian was established in the Qin dynasty it has been the seat of Huizhou prefecture, and it is a relatively well-preserved prefectural and county-level ancient city. The Xu Guo Archway stands at its centre, linked with the Huizhou Prefecture Office, Hui Garden, Doushan Street, the Xu Guo residence and the Tao Xingzhi Memorial; outside the city, Yuliang Dam is one of the oldest dams on the upper Xin'an River and the wharf from which Huizhou merchants set sail. Compared with the village landscapes of Hongcun and Xidi, it emphasises the complete structure of prefecture, clan and merchant guild. The seat of the old Huizhou prefecture and, with Lijiang, Pingyao and Langzhong, one of China's four great ancient cities, it links the Xu Guo Archway, Hui Garden, Doushan Street and Yuliang Dam into a prefectural layout — more of a city than Hongcun or Xidi, and the place to see the Huizhou prefecture office and archways. Tip: combine with other Shexian sights on the same day; see the prefecture office and archway first, then Yuliang Dam. The old city is walkable, and combo ticket details are subject to on-site notice. Practical info: located at Huicheng Town, Shexian County, Huangshan; ticket about ¥80 (combo ticket including the Xu Guo Archway and Hui Garden; subject to official notice); opening hours 08:00–17:30.

Tip: Combine with other Shexian sights on the same day; see the prefecture office and archway first, then Yuliang D…

• Address: Huicheng Town, Shexian County, Huangshan
• Ticket: About ¥80 (combo ticket including the Xu Guo Archway and Hui Garden; subject to official notice)
• Opening: 08:00–17:30

Founded in the Northern Song dynasty, Xidi preserves 124 Ming and Qing dynasty houses and 3 ancestral halls. The village is mainly inhabited by the Hu clan, with well-preserved archways, ancestral halls and houses, and superb brick, wood and stone carvings; it is known as a 'museum of Ming and Qing folk houses'. Highlights include the Hu Wenguang Archway, Jing'ai Hall, Zhuimu Hall and the three carving arts. A World Cultural Heritage site and an ancient village of the Hu clan, it preserves 124 Ming and Qing dynasty houses, with exquisite archways and ancestral halls and brick, wood and stone carvings at their peak — a microcosm of Huizhou culture. Tip: a combo ticket with Hongcun is available; visit Xidi first, then Hongcun. Practical info: located at Xidi Town, Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui; ticket ¥104; opening hours 07:30–17:30. Best season: spring (Mar–May) offers a high chance of seeing the sea of clouds; autumn (Sep–Nov) turns the forests red and gold; winter (Dec–Feb) brings rime ice and snow. Combine with Huangshan Scenic Area, Hongcun and Tunxi Old Street in Huangshan for a half-day or full-day itinerary.

Tip: A combo ticket with Hongcun is available; visit Xidi first, then Hongcun.

• Address: Xidi Town, Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui
• Ticket: ¥104
• Opening: 07:30–17:30

Tunxi Old Street was first built in the Ming and Qing dynasties and is the best-preserved Hui-style commercial street. Hui-style buildings line both sides, with shops selling Hui ink, She inkstones, tea, snacks and other local specialities; it is known as a 'moving Along the River During the Qingming Festival'. Highlights include Hui ink and She inkstones, Huangshan Maofeng tea and Huizhou snacks. Several hundred years old, this Hui-style commercial street is lined with shops where you can buy Hui ink, She inkstones and Maofeng tea, taste Huizhou snacks and feel the life of a 'moving Along the River During the Qingming Festival'. Tip: the street has a lovely atmosphere when the lights come on at night. Practical info: located at Old Street, Tunxi District, Huangshan City, Anhui; free entry; open all day. Best season: spring (Mar–May) offers a high chance of seeing the sea of clouds; autumn (Sep–Nov) turns the forests red and gold; winter (Dec–Feb) brings rime ice and snow. Combine with Huangshan Scenic Area, Hongcun and Xidi in Huangshan for a half-day or full-day itinerary. Check the day's opening and reservation rules before you go, and allow enough time to explore.

Tip: The street has a lovely atmosphere when the lights come on at night.

• Address: Old Street, Tunxi District, Huangshan City, Anhui
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: Open all day