Huangshan's most treacherous peak has reopened. Discover how to reach the summit within 3 hours.

Huangshan, renowned as 'the Number One Wonder of the World,' is celebrated for its 'Five Wonders'—strange pines, bizarre rocks, sea of clouds, hot springs, and winter snow. This majestic site has captivated historical figures like the legendary painter Zhang Daqian and acclaimed director Ang Lee.

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Global Geopark, and a World Network of Biosphere Reserves, Huangshan allures millions of tourists annually, especially hiking enthusiasts. Accessing Huangshan is now more convenient with new flights from the Greater Bay Area (operating three times a week) directly to Huangshan Tunxi International Airport. Public transportation is available to explore various attractions in Huangshan City and the mountains.

Once you climb Huangshan, you'll comprehend its ranking as the third national 5A-level tourist attraction in the MBI Top 100.

Don't Miss the Reopening of Tiandu Peak! Huangshan spans approximately 1,200 square kilometers and boasts three main peaks: Lotus Peak, Bright Summit, and Tiandu Peak. Tiandu Peak, known for its challenging terrain, offers breathtaking vistas of the sea of clouds and mist. After a 5.5-year hiatus for restoration, Tiandu Peak has reopened to the public this year.

At the Tindau Peak one can see clouds and mist swirling around, giving it the ancient name "Gathering Place of Immortals," implying a celestial gathering place for gods and immortals.

The practice of implementing a 'rest' period was established in the 1980s to preserve natural attractions. Following thorough inspections, geological hazard assessments, and facility repairs spanning over five years, authorities have announced the reopening of Tiandu Peak, much to the delight of hiking enthusiasts! The peak currently under rest is Lotus Peak, which began its rejuvenation in 2023!

Tiandu Peak features numerous uniquely shaped mountain formations, including the famous "Jiyu Back." Tiandu Peak features numerous uniquely shaped mountain formations, including the famous "Jiyu Back."

Although Tiandu Peak is steep, it boasts many stunning spots, such as Jiyu Back, Tiger Mouth, One-Line Sky, and the Trial Stone. The authorities have also added stairs to facilitate visitors, but some peaks are nearly 85° steep, making climbing extremely challenging.

Adults Can Reach the Summit in Under 3 Hours Despite Huangshan’s altitude of 1,864.8 meters, reaching the summit is not overly difficult! The authorities have installed various climbing steps and stairs throughout the scenic area, allowing visitors to hike while enjoying the views along the approximately 9-14 kilometer trail of this 5A-level tourist site. Informal statistics suggest adults can hike to the summit in about 3-4 hours, with an additional 1.5 hours if rest is needed.

In the "Guest-Greeting Pine" area, visitors can witness the "Five Wonders" of Huangshan, where they can appreciate the unique pine trees and peculiar rocks. At the Lion Peak in the Beihai Scenic Area, you can see the "Stone Monkey" rock, where you can quietly gaze out at the sea of clouds. The large stone erected below the picture is named after the locals associated it with the image of "Immortals Sunning Their Boots".

Of course, travelers or hikers should assess their capabilities. If one's strength falters, in Huangshan Scenic Area, sedan chair (bamboo pole) services are available on the mountains. Charges vary depending on the distance (segmented charging is also available, remember to negotiate the price with the sedan chair bearers before boarding!). For a few hundred yuan, you can be "carried" from Beihai/White Goose Ridge to the Bright Summit!

Cable Cars to Help You Huangshan currently has four cable cars. The Yun Gu Cableway was the first to be built in 2006, with a total length of 2.6 kilometers. Riding this cable car offers views of attractions such as the Shisun Jing, Shixin Peak, and Guanyin Peak, continuing on to spots like Mengbi Shenghua, Monkey Gazing at the Sea, and Qingliang Tai in the Beihai Scenic Area. The Yuping Cableway, which opened in 2016, allows visitors to reach the Yuping Building and Welcome Pine in just 8 minutes.

The Taiping Cableway, located at the North Gate, provides an 8-minute ride from the Songgu An in the Songgu Scenic Area to the Paiyun Pavilion in the Xihai Scenic Area. The Xihai Grand Canyon Sightseeing Cable Car, opened in 2013, starts from the bottom of the valley and goes directly to the Shichuang Peak in the Tianhai Scenic Area.

Yuping Cable Car Hours: 06:30-16:30 (Thu-Sun), 06:00-16:30 (Fri-Sat) Phone: +86 559 558 5530 Yun Gu Cable Car Hours: 06:30-16:30 (Thu-Sun), 06:00-16:30 (Fri-Sat) Phone: +86 559 558 6014 Taiping Cable Car Hours: 06:30-16:30 (Thu-Sun), 06:00-16:30 (Fri-Sat) Phone: +86 559 558 0606 West Sea Grand Canyon Cable Car Hours: 08:00-17:00 (Daily) Phone: +86 559 558 2299 Note: Closed from December 1 to March 27 the following year.

The cable car in the Xihai Grand Canyon, offers a scenic ride through the canyon.

Cable car fares:

Yuping Cable Car: CN¥ 90/adult (off-season CN¥ 75);

Taiping Cable Car: CN¥ 80/adult (off-season CN¥ 65);

Yun Gu Cable Car: CN¥ 80/adult (off-season CN¥ 65);

West Sea Cable Car: CN¥ 100/adult

**Off-season cable car prices are subject to the official announcements from Huangshan Scenic Area.

**The West Sea Grand Canyon Scenic Area is closed during the winter and does not offer off-season ticket prices.

West Sea Grand Canyon Cable Car - Tianhai Station

Address: Tangkou Town, Huangshan District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China

Phone: +86 559 558 2299

Website: hstd.com

The breathtaking scenery on the mountain is the main attraction Many who have climbed Huangshan say that the view below the halfway point isn’t very impressive. The unique sights of the Welcoming Pine, strange pines, bizarre rocks, and sea of clouds can all be seen at the top. Hence, it’s better to take a 15 minute cable car ride than to spend four hours hiking!

The front mountain features Yuping Peak, Welcoming Pine, Tiandu Peak, and Lotus Peak, offering grand views. The back mountain has Lion Peak, Shixin Peak, Danxia Peak, West Sea Grand Canyon, and Flying Stone, known for its serene beauty.

Climbing the mountain yourself allows you to capture photos that will leave your friends in awe! Huangshan is a destination where many photography enthusiasts hike and explore. Huangshan at sunset is incredibly beautiful.

Huangshan South Gate Front Mountain (Yuping Cable Car)

Address: Tangkou Town, Huangshan District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China

Recommended Descent Routes

Descending from Huangshan can indeed be challenging, and the recommended routes provided by hiking enthusiasts are valuable for a smoother journey. Here are two routes they suggest:

Route A (Ascending from the front mountain): Descend via Yun Gu Temple > Yuping Cable Car Station > Ciguang Pavilion > New National Line Scenic Shuttle > Huangshan Transfer Center. Route B (Ascending from the back mountain): Descend via Ciguang Pavilion > Bai'e New Station > Yun Gu Cable Car Station > Yun Gu Temple (around a 15-minute walk) > Scenic Shuttle > Huangshan Transfer Center. Essential items for hiking in Huangshan, considering the cold temperature and misty conditions, include:

Telescopic Trekking Poles for stamina on the challenging terrain. Portable Charger for essential navigation on your mobile phone. Disposable Raincoat for the frequent rainy days. Non-Slip Footwear with a good grip for slippery trails. These items are crucial for a safe and enjoyable hiking experience on Huangshan.

Tiandu Peak

Address: Huangshan Scenic Area, Huangshan District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China Phone: +86 559 556 1111

Suggested 3-Day Itinerary in Huangshan

Day 1: Fly with Greater Bay Area, about 2 hours flying time, earliest flight at 09:25) to Huangshan Tunxi International Airport > Check into the hotel > Explore Tunxi Old Street, enjoy local cuisine, and admire Huangshan City’s night view.

Day 2: Take a bus from Huangshan North Station to the southern gate of Huangshan Scenic Area (Tangkou Town), transfer to a scenic shuttle bus at the southern gate to Ciguang Pavilion (front mountain) and then take the Yuping Cable Car or Yun Gu Temple (back mountain) to ascend.

Day 3: Conclude your trip > Fly back with Greater Bay Area Airlines.