7-Day Huangshan, Jingdezhen & Wangxian Valley Tour

After arriving at Huangshan, proceed to the hotel to check in. Take a short rest to recharge your energy for the afternoon journey.

In the afternoon, head to Hongcun Village, a representative of ancient Huizhou-style villages and known as the "Village in Traditional Chinese Paintings". With a history of over 800 years, wandering through Hongcun allows you to witness its unique ox-shaped water system layout (a traditional water management system designed to resemble an ox), well-preserved Huizhou-style architectures from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the distinctive scenery where these ancient buildings are reflected in the pond water. There are numerous well-preserved ancestral halls in the village, where you can experience the family culture of Hongcun.

Hongcun Village

Scenery of Hongcun

Your Journey’s Rewards:

Appreciate the characteristics of Huizhou-style architecture and experience the family culture in the ancestral halls of Hongcun.

Educational Focus:

What are the characteristics of the architectural layout of Huizhou-style dwellings?

Takeaway:

Most Huizhou-style dwellings adopt a courtyard-style structure. Smaller residential houses are usually in the form of a three-sided courtyard (sanheyuan). Generally, the houses face south with mountains behind and water in front. The layout emphasizes central symmetry: each house typically has three bays (rooms side by side), with a main hall in the middle and bedrooms on both sides. A skylight (called "tianjing" in Chinese) is installed in front of the main hall, which serves for lighting and ventilation, and symbolizes the traditional concept of "four waters returning to the hall" (sishui guitang, meaning water from all directions converges in the courtyard, implying the accumulation of fortune). These dwellings reflect the concept of hierarchical order (respect for superiors and elders) and a strong sense of order, implicitly embodying Confucian thought.

Thought Challenge:

As a World Cultural Heritage site, how does Hongcun balance the protection of its original architectural style and ecological environment with the growing demand for tourist experiences and the need to improve the living standards of local residents in the process of protection and development?

After breakfast, you will take a bus to Huangshan Scenic Area. Along the way, you can listen to the tour guide’s introduction to Huangshan and enjoy the natural scenery around Huangshan. Upon arriving at the lower station of the scenic area’s cableway, you will take the cableway up the mountain — this is an excellent opportunity to visually appreciate Huangshan’s scenery. From the cable car, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Huangshan from different directions and angles. Along the way, you can overlook many scenic spots such as Tiandu Peak (Heavenly Capital Peak), Lianhua Peak (Lotus Peak), Fozhang Peak (Buddha’s Palm Peak), Tiangou Wangyue (Dog Watching the Moon), Yangzi Guojiang (Sheep Crossing the River), Xianren Piaohai (Immortal Floating on the Sea), and Hulu Stone (Gourd Stone). The cable car shuttles through these landscapes, as if floating in a fairyland.

In the afternoon, walk along the hiking trail on the mountain top and immerse yourself in Huangshan’s three iconic landscapes: "Strange Pines", "Grotesque Rocks" and "Sea of Clouds". You will have more time to leisurely explore key scenic spots like the West Sea Grand Canyon and watch the stunning "Sea of Clouds" scenery. Immerse yourself in the beautiful landscape, experience true relaxation, breathe in fresh air, and integrate into nature. At sunset, the golden sunlight shines on the clouds, as if covering Huangshan with a piece of golden silk cloth. The scene is magnificent and well worth taking photos to commemorate.

Xihai Grand Canyon in Huangshan

Huangshan Sunset

Your Journey’s Rewards:

During the cableway ride, you can overlook Huangshan’s unique scenery. After reaching the mountain top, you can appreciate unique landscapes such as "Strange Pines, Grotesque Rocks, and Sea of Clouds" during the tour, and enjoy the spectacular sunset over the Sea of Clouds in the evening.

Educational Focus:

How is the "Sea of Clouds", the top wonder of Huangshan, formed?

Takeaway:

Huangshan is covered with lush trees, and the valleys are rich in water vapor. When the water vapor is cooled, it condenses into small water droplets, forming mist. However, the formation of the Sea of Clouds also requires unique meteorological conditions. In situations where the weather is clear after rain, humidity is high, and the wind is gentle, a large amount of cloud and mist gathers in the valleys and is difficult to dissipate, thus forming the vast and boundless Sea of Clouds landscape.

Thought Challenge:

In the process of development and operation of Huangshan Scenic Area, how to protect the ecological environment of Huangshan?

In the early morning, head to the viewing platform of Huangshan Mountain to wait for the sunrise. During the waiting process, you can watch the color changes of the sky — the gradual color transition is romantic and charming. At sunrise, the sun, like a big fireball, slowly rises from the edge of the Sea of Clouds. Golden light spreads over the Sea of Clouds, dyeing the entire Huangshan Mountain golden yellow. The scenery at this moment is like a fairyland. After watching the sunrise, take the cableway down the mountain and set off for Emerald Valley (Feicui Gu).

Huangshan Sunrise

In the afternoon, go to Emerald Valley. The water here is as green as jade, and the scenery is beautiful. Here, you can appreciate the Emerald Colored Pools (Caichi), which display a variety of colors under different lights — it is very romantic. Wander in the quiet environment of the valley, bamboo forests and streams to relax your body and mind. After the tour, take a bus back to the city.

Your Journey’s Rewards:

Watch the stunning sunrise scenery of Huangshan Mountain and wander in Emerald Valley, which enriches your travel experience and helps you relax both physically and mentally.

Educational Focus:

What is the cause of the Colored Pools in Emerald Valley?

Takeaway:

The main reason for the formation of the Colored Pools lies in the unique water quality — the water can absorb a variety of blue and green light, so its color is as beautiful as jade. In addition, the water surface, impacted by the upstream current and stirred by the wind, reflects light of various colors through ripples. Hence, these pools are called "Colored Pools".

Thought Challenge:

As an emerging natural landscape tourist destination, how can Emerald Valley avoid over-commercialization during its development, protect the water quality and native vegetation in the valley, and maintain its "natural purity" landscape characteristics?

After breakfast, set off for Huangling Scenic Area. Huangling is an ancient Huizhou-style village with a history of over 500 years. Renowned for its unique Huizhou-style ancient village architecture, terraced landscape and "Shaiqiu (Autumn Sun-Drying)" culture, it is known as one of "China's Most Beautiful Villages" and "the World's Most Beautiful Villages". On the way, you can listen to the tour guide explain the background knowledge about Huangling and enjoy the scenery along the way through the car window.

After lunch, start exploring Tianjie (Sky Street) in Huangling. Tianjie is the central street of Huangling Scenic Area. On both sides of the street stand various well-preserved Huizhou-style ancient buildings, and Huizhou-style shops are in great numbers, with stores at the front and workshops at the back—just like a real-life version of Along the River During the Qingming Festival (a famous ancient Chinese painting depicting a bustling urban scene). If you visit Tianjie in spring or autumn, you can enjoy the terraced flower sea scenery and experience Huangling's "Shaiqiu" culture. While touring the ancient street, you can choose to experience traditional handcraft making or taste local specialty snacks.

Terraced Flower Sea Scenery

Huangling's "Shaiqiu" Culture

Your Journey’s Rewards:

By visiting Tianjie, which is called the "Sky Market" in Huangling, you can deeply explore the characteristic Huizhou-style dwellings, experience traditional craftsmanship and taste local specialty snacks, while immersing yourself in the traditional Huizhou culture of the ancient village.

Educational Focus:

What does Huangling's "Shaiqiu (Autumn Sun-Drying)" culture refer to?

Takeaway:

The so-called "Shaiqiu" means that villagers dry crops such as chili peppers, corn and chrysanthemums on their rooftops. Combined with the persimmons on the persimmon trees, the scene is vibrant with colors. Looking from a high place, you can see every household engaged in "Shaiqiu", presenting a spectacular view. There is also a local "Shaiqiu Festival", which is held on June 6th and September 9th every year and lasts for five months. This "Shaiqiu" cultural festival aims to protect the "Shaiqiu" cultural heritage and inherit the traditional Chinese farming culture.

Thought Challenge:

In the tourism development of Huangling, how to protect the original style and features of the ancient Huizhou-style village while meeting the consumption needs of tourists, and avoid the loss of the village's cultural core caused by over-commercialization?

Today, you will start a full-day ceramic culture exploration. In the morning, set off for Jingdezhen, known as "China's Porcelain Capital". After arrival, first head to Taoxichuan Cultural and Creative Market. It is a new-type community focusing on ceramic art, with a great number of creative ceramic workshops. In front of the ceramic stalls, you can observe hand-made ceramic products such as jewelry, tableware and sculptures, communicate with ceramic artists, learn about the innovative ideas of contemporary ceramic design, and immerse yourself in the charm of ceramic culture. Then proceed to the Imperial Kiln Factory National Archaeological Site Park — as the site of the royal porcelain factories in the Ming and Qing dynasties, it preserves the remains of imperial kilns and landmark buildings like Longzhu Pavilion (Dragon Pearl Pavilion), making it an excellent spot for taking photos with ceramic culture as the theme.

In the afternoon, first go to the China National Ceramic Museum. As the ceramic museum of the Porcelain Capital, it has a rich collection of ceramic exhibits. You can learn about the development history of ceramics and different ceramic craftsmanship in the museum, or visit various exhibition halls to appreciate exquisite ceramic masterpieces from different eras, so as to deepen your understanding of ceramic craftsmanship. Next, visit the Ancient Kiln Folk Custom Expo Area, where traditional ancient Chinese ceramic factories are reproduced, and you can watch the process of traditional hand-made ceramics. Finally, go to the Old Porcelain Carving Factory. The ceramic items here are cost-effective, and personalized customization services are also available. You can choose to buy a ceramic product as a travel souvenir.

Ancient Kiln Folk Custom Expo Area

Ancient Kiln Folk Custom Expo Area

Witnessing the Process of Traditional Handmade Ceramics

Your Journey’s Rewards:

In Jingdezhen, you will explore places such as Taoxichuan Market, Imperial Kiln Factory, China National Ceramic Museum, Ancient Kiln Expo Area and Old Porcelain Carving Factory, learn about the development history and craftsmanship of ceramics, and experience the charm of ceramic culture.

Educational Focus:

What are the differences between pottery and porcelain?

Takeaway:

The first difference is the raw material: porcelain clay has higher density and is thicker. The second is the firing temperature: porcelain is fired at a temperature of 1200 to 1400℃, while pottery is fired at 1000 to 1200℃. In terms of finished products, porcelain is stronger and more aesthetically pleasing.

Thought Challenge:

While selling ceramics, how can Jingdezhen guide tourists to pay attention to the value of the manual craftsmanship behind the ceramics?

In the morning, you can continue your tour in Jingdezhen. You may explore the local specialty cuisines of Jingdezhen or head to a ceramic-making workshop to experience ceramic crafting. Under the guidance of professionals, you can personally participate in the core steps of hand-made ceramic production. If time permits, you can also try "painting on the blank" — using blue and white pigment to draw simple patterns on the unglazed ceramic blank, thus deeply appreciating the charm of ceramic craftsmanship.

Ceramic Crafting Experience

After lunch, take a bus to Wangxian Valley Scenic Area. Upon arrival, check into a cliffside hotel. Perched on Baihe Cliff, which has a vertical height of over 110 meters, the homestay offers a bird's-eye view of the entire valley and a distant sight of the "Dragon Backbone" of Lingshan Mountain, earning it the title of "City in the Sky". In the evening, you can stroll through the stilted building complex built against the mountains. Bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, the stilted buildings glow with a golden hue, presenting a spectacular scene. After dusk falls and the lights of Wangxian Valley are turned on, you can go to a higher place to overlook the valley's night view — the brightly lit building complex looks both mysterious and romantic in the night. Additionally, you can watch performances within the scenic area or join a bonfire party.

Night View of Wangxian Valley

Your Journey’s Rewards:

If you experience making ceramics by hand in Jingdezhen, it will help you gain a deeper understanding of ceramic craftsmanship and feel the allure of ceramic culture. In Wangxian Valley Scenic Area, you can appreciate the integration of the "fairy-tale style" landscapes with the natural mountains and waters, and immerse yourself in the romantic atmosphere of the setting sun at Baihe Cliff. Admiring the magnificent night view of Wangxian Valley after the lights are on will add unforgettable memories to your journey.

Educational Focus:

What are the procedures of hand-made ceramic production?

Takeaway:

The hand-made ceramic craftsmanship in Jingdezhen features an extremely high level of professionalism and an extremely detailed division of labor in the industry. The five core procedures include clay throwing, trimming, glazing, blank painting, and kiln firing.

Thought Challenge:

Wangxian Valley attracts a large number of tourists with its "fairy-tale style" man-made landscapes. When developing such "Internet-famous" landscapes, how can we avoid excessive commercialization from damaging the original ecological environment of the canyon while preserving the uniqueness of the local mountain culture?

In the morning, you can visit the core landscapes of Wangxian Valley. First, find a photography spot to take photos of the cliffside hotels in the daytime and experience the "xianxia (a genre featuring immortals and chivalry)" world as described in novels. Then, head to Lanyue Bridge (Moon-Embracing Bridge), which is like a silk ribbon spanning across the canyon. Together with the surrounding forests and waterfalls, it forms a beautiful picture, allowing people to appreciate the stunning scenery while relaxing their minds. You can go hiking to explore other beautiful views in Wangxian Valley, or choose to experience canyon rafting. The exciting water sports can add more fun to your journey.

Baihe Cliff of Wangxian Valley

After lunch, check and pack your luggage. A driver will take you to Shangrao High-Speed Railway Station, and finally you will return to your hometown with wonderful memories.

Your Journey’s Rewards:

You will have an in-depth tour of Wangxian Valley Scenic Area, immersive yourself in the "xianxia-style" world, enjoy the beautiful scenery and relax both physically and mentally during the tour.

Educational Focus:

What are the actual landscape characteristics of Wangxian Valley in reality?

Takeaway:

Wangxian Valley is a place that combines magnificent landscapes with the artistic conception of xianxia. It boasts waterfall canyons, high mountains and flowing water, and the most spectacular feature is the buildings constructed on the cliffs. Stepping into the scenic area is like entering a secluded world from martial arts novels.

Thought Challenge:

A large number of tourists visit Wangxian Valley every day. How can we reduce the impact of tourist transportation on the local ecological environment?