Best Huangshan Tours & Packages - Mountains & Hui Villages 2026

Huangshan city is located in eastern China. It is very convenient for you to get there by taking a speed train from Hangzhou or Shanghai for around 2-3 hours. People are attracted to the glorious natural landscape in Mount Huangshan, which is listed in both World Natural and Cultural Heritage. Besides that, Huangshan city is the important birthplace of Hui-Culture, such as Huizhou architecture, Huizhou sculpture, Xin'an painting, and Xin'an medicine.

The historical human culture makes your traveling days even more interesting. Like the ancient villages – Xidi and Hongcun – which display the characteristics of Huizhou architecture and sculpture. Having a go at making traditional handicrafts, and trying Hui cuisine (which is one of the eight major cuisines in China) are activities which are well worth a try.

The Huangshan Scenic Area is renowned for its "Five Wonders": unique pine trees, oddly-shaped rocks, seas of clouds, hot springs, and winter snow. The main attractions include the Beihai Scenic Area, Xihai Scenic Area, Tianhai Scenic Area, and Yupinglou Scenic Area. In the Beihai Scenic Area, Lion Peak, Qingliang Tai, and Shixin Peak are prime spots for viewing the sea of clouds and sunrise. The Xihai Grand Canyon is famous for its steep and secluded landscapes. The Tianhai Scenic Area is well-known for Bright Summit and Aoyu Peak. Yupinglou is home to the iconic Guest-Greeting Pine (Yingke Song), a must-see for visitors.

The Yellow Mountain is beautiful year-round, with each season offering its own unique charm. Generally, spring and autumn are considered the best times to visit due to the pleasant weather and stunning scenery. However, the sea of clouds is more likely to appear in winter and spring, and the snow-covered landscape in winter is particularly breathtaking, making winter another great option for visiting.

The ticket prices for the Huangshan Scenic Area vary between peak and off-peak seasons. During the peak season (typically from March to November), the ticket price is 190 RMB. In the off-peak season (usually from December to February), the price is reduced to 95 RMB. In 2024, to promote tourism, entry to Huangshan is free on Wednesdays, which has led to a significant increase in visitor numbers on those days.

Tiandu Peak reopened to the public on May 20, 2024, with daily opening hours from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and a daily visitor limit of 3,000 people. The Xihai Grand Canyon is currently open and is an excellent spot for experiencing the steep and tranquil beauty of Huangshan Scenic Area. However, Lotus Peak is closed for maintenance in 2024 and will not be open to visitors.

A 4-day trip is recommended:
Day 1: Arrival in Huangshan city, visit Tunxi Old Street.
Day 2: Visit the ancient villages of Xidi and Hongcun.
Days 3-4: Explore the Huangshan Scenic Area, then depart.

Ideally, two days are recommended to fully explore the yellow mountain. Staying overnight on the mountain allows you to catch both sunrise and sunset, and helps avoid peak crowds, though accommodation on the mountain can be expensive. For those with limited time, a one-day tour is also a good option, covering about 70% of the main attractions.

Climbing the yellow mountain can be challenging for the elderly and children. It is recommended to bring a walking stick to make the hike easier. Generally, routes with fewer steep climbs are suggested. Here are some options:

**One-day tour:**
- Start at the South Gate, take the Yuping Cable Car up the mountain, visit the Guest-Greeting Pine, Guangming Ding, and Shixin Peak, then take the Yungu Cable Car down the mountain and return to the South Gate.

If this itinerary still seems too strenuous, consider this alternative:
- Start at the South Gate, take the Yuping Cable Car up, visit the Guest-Greeting Pine, rest at Yupinglou, then take the Yuping Cable Car down. Afterward, take a shuttle to the Yungu Cable Car, go up to see the Beihai and Xihai Scenic Areas, have a meal at Shilin Hotel, and then take the Yungu Cable Car down.

This itinerary is relatively relaxed. For an even more leisurely experience, consider staying overnight on the mountain.