Live Your Best Lives
The summer solstice has arrived, and the hot months are connected. Along with the summer vacation comes the high temperature of more than 30 degrees. "If it's not to cool down, I will wave the fan because my hands are tired and I need to rest for a while." How can we spend all the good holiday time hiding in the air-conditioned room?
In fact, did you know that Anhui, a major tourist province adjacent to the free shipping area of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, has more than 50 summer resort destinations?
(Photo source: Photo Network)
The highest peak of Huangshan, Lotus Peak, is 1,864 meters above sea level. In the scorching summer, when the temperature in the city reaches 36°C, the highest temperature monitored at Guangmingding is only 25°C. Take the cable car up to the top, and you will have a panoramic view of the undulating peaks, towering pine trees, and the vast sea of clouds. If you have plenty of time, you can stay at the top of the mountain, watch the stars at night and admire the sunrise in the morning. While cooling off, you may even encounter the rare and endemic short-tailed macaques in my country.
Tips:
Recommended play time: 1-3 days
Price reference: Ticket price 190 yuan + scenic bus one way 19 yuan * 2 + upward cable car 80 yuan + downward cable car 90 yuan
Transportation: Huangshan North Station - Huangshan Scenic Area West Gate Shuttle Bus 20 yuan/person, about 50 minutes
Notes:
1. Currently, the scenic spot implements a real-name time-sharing reservation system, and advance reservation is required to enter the scenic spot.
2. There are many steps on the mountain and you need to walk. It is recommended that you leave your large luggage at the transfer center or the hotel at the foot of the mountain.
Compared with the beautiful Huangshan Mountain, other mountains and rivers in Anhui seem to have become embellishments, but Qiyun Mountain has been as famous as Huangshan Mountain in history. "The White Mountain of Huangshan is the best in the south of the Yangtze River", and the White Mountain here refers to Qiyun Mountain. This is a fairy mountain with sea of clouds for an average of 260 days a year. The scenic area is also creating an image of ancient Chinese style. The experience of retro Hanfu tours and checking in on the mountain for travel photography is still very good.
Tips:
Recommended play time: 0.5-1 day
Price reference: Ticket price 68 yuan
Transportation: Huangshan North Station to Qiyun Mountain Scenic Area, take bus No. 1 for ¥2, about 50 minutes, or take a taxi for ¥120, about 40 minutes
recommend:
1. It is recommended to take the cable car up the mountain and walk down the Xiake Ancient Trail to see the Jiuli Thirteen Pavilions
2. Hanfu rental: Qiyun Town Menghui Qiyun Hanfu Experience Hall, rental fee ¥98 (about 3 hours)
(Photo source: Qiyun Mountain Ecological and Cultural Tourism Resort)
The Dabie Mountains, a revolutionary base steeped in red, lie at the junction of Anhui, Hubei, and Henan provinces. Its main peak, Baimajian, is located in Lu'an, Anhui, at an elevation of 1,777 meters. It's a beloved adventure destination for many outdoor enthusiasts. The scenic area is relatively undeveloped, but the resort at the foot of the mountain offers a delightful atmosphere, with standard hotel rooms, unique wooden cabins, tent camping, bonfire barbecues, and signature hanging pots. It's a truly enjoyable escape from the summer heat.
Tips:
Recommended play time: 1-2 days
Price reference: Baimajian ticket 80 yuan
Transportation: You can directly navigate from Dabie Mountain Resort to the entrance of Baimajian Scenic Area
When talking about the Huihang Ancient Road, many people think of outdoor hiking, but according to monitoring, the average temperature here from July to August is only 27.6℃, making it a veritable summer resort.
Take a cool stroll in Xiaoyao Valley, listen to the story of the red-topped businessman Hu Xueyan, and see the characteristic Hui-style architecture of Matou Wall and Bench Bridge in the nearby Longchuan Ancient Village. Your memories of summer are poetic and rich.
Tips:
Recommended play time: 1-2 days
Price reference: Huihang Ancient Road ticket 62 yuan
Transportation: Navigate to "Huihang Ancient Road Entrance, Fuling Town, Jixi County"
Notes:
1. There are two entrances to the Huihang Ancient Road, one in Lin'an, Zhejiang, and the other in Jixi, Anhui. The Xiaoyao Canyon section is on the Jixi side.
2. The entire Huihang hiking route spans two provinces, so it is not convenient to drive by yourself. It is recommended to stay in the mountains and take the round-trip route.
The most developed tourist destination is undoubtedly the Xin'an River Reservoir (Qiandao Lake), which can also be reached by car along Anhui-Zhejiang Highway 1. However, this time, I recommend the Xin'an River section in Anhui Province, stretching from Yuliang Dam upstream to Shendu Town. The 100-mile landscape gallery is dotted with ancient villages along the way, and the average river temperature is only 15-16°C. A self-drive tour offers breathtaking views of both the mountains and the water.
Tips:
Recommended play time: 1-2 days
Reference: There are many free viewing platforms and holiday villas along the river
Transportation: Anhui-Zhejiang Tourist Highway No. 1, starting point: Huizhou Ancient City, She County, Huangshan City
There hasn't been much news about Taiping Lake, most recently focusing on environmental reforms and the removal of the floating hotel. However, Taiping Lake itself offers many unique and stunning attractions. Staying by the lake, gazing out the window at the picturesque waters and vibrant life would have captivated even the poet Li Bai.
Tips:
Recommended play time: 1-2 days
Transportation: Taipinghu Town, Huangshan District, Huangshan City
Note: Taiping Lake has a total area of 88 square kilometers, and the roads along the lake are winding. If you are driving there, it is recommended to plan your accommodation and parking spots in advance.
What does The Wizard of Oz look like? Go to Xixinan and you’ll find the answer.
Walk across the long stone bridge and explore the ancient village hidden in the maple and poplar forest. Together with the stream of Fengle River, it is activated by the summer. Lazily leaning on the bamboo bed, watching the children chasing butterflies, the hot summer also has its own unique comfort.
Tips:
Recommended play time: 1-2 days
Cost reference: Free admission to the ancient village
Transportation: Xixinan Village, Xixinan Town, Huizhou District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
Note: The default navigation direction for Xixinan Ancient Village is Songmingshan Road, which is only accessible by car.
(Photo source: Xixi South Town)
(Photo source: Xixi South Town)
Muliku, one of the most sought-after ancient villages in southern Anhui in recent years, is undoubtedly this. Once on the verge of extinction, this high-altitude village is gradually being revitalized thanks to the development of tourism. Almost all the farmhouses on the mountain have been converted into guesthouses. From the window, you'll be greeted by the view: a sea of bamboo, shrouded in mist, and the ancient village looming above the mountaintops, a truly heavenly experience.
Recommended play time: 0.5-1 day
Tips:
Cost reference: Free admission to the ancient village
Transportation: Xikou Town, Xiuning County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
Kind tips:
1. You need to walk up a staircase to enter the ancient village. It is recommended to store large luggage and travel light with backpacks.
2. The conditions of the ancient village homestay are limited, and there are few standard rooms. It is recommended to book in advance
Ancient Huizhou is mountainous and rich in water. In history, many prominent families from the Central Plains took refuge here to avoid wars. Yangchan Village was built by the ancestors from Zhengzhou more than 400 years ago. Therefore, unlike the typical Huizhou architecture with white walls and black tiles, the most special thing about Yangchan is its more than 300 earth buildings. The simple and rustic earth buildings are scattered in an orderly manner. It is also known as the last pure land in southern Anhui.
Tips:
Recommended play time: 0.5 days
Cost reference: Free for the ancient village, round trip bus 30 yuan/person
Transportation: She County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
Notes:
1. The ancient village is at a high altitude and the mountain road is rugged. To enter the ancient village, you need to transfer to the local scenic bus at the foot of the mountain
2. There are only two B&Bs in the ancient village, and there are few accommodation resources. It is recommended to stay in Shendu Town at the foot of the mountain.
(Photo source: Yangchan Tulou, She County)
Places with sea of clouds are usually cool in summer. Poshan is one of the best places to see the sea of clouds in She County. It is also a beautiful ancient village privately collected by photography enthusiasts. The small basin in front of the village and the Changyuan River at the foot of the mountain create conditions for the magnificent sea of clouds. You may also see spectacular waterfall clouds when the sky clears up after rain.
Tips:
Recommended play time: 0.5-1 day
Cost reference: Free admission to the ancient village
Transportation: She County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province. You can drive directly to the ancient village on the mountain top via the winding mountain road.
Note: The sea of clouds is affected by the weather. If it rains the day before and there is no wind at night, you will most likely see the sea of clouds the next day.
First-time visitors to Chaji often find it remote, sparsely populated, and with many buildings in dilapidated condition, as if it were a forgotten mountain village. Only with a deeper understanding can one discover its splendor and elegance. "Ten miles of Chaji are shrouded in smoke, nine miles away; three streams converge to flow through thousands of houses. Beneath the shadows of temples, pavilions, and pagodas, small bridges flow through the water, and apricot blossoms bloom." Chaji is also home to the largest extant ancient residential complex in China.
Tips:
Recommended play time: 0.5-1 day
Cost reference: Ancient Village Ticket 70 yuan
Transportation: Chaji Village, Taohuatan Town, Jing County, Xuancheng City
The river is 8.8 kilometers long. The rafting channel is sometimes narrow and sometimes wide, with a cumulative drop of 160 meters and a maximum single drop of 19 meters. It is thrilling and the rafting time is about 2.5 hours. It is one of the most popular rafting routes at present.
Tips:
Reference cost: 198 yuan/person (including rafting ticket + one-way scenic shuttle bus)
Transportation address: Lutushipu, Baiyunan Village, Luoerling Town, Huoshan County, Lu'an City, Anhui Province
Note: Children under 1.1 meters are not allowed to participate
High-altitude glass rafting, rainbow slide, wetland sightseeing bamboo raft, kayaking, water bikes, dragon boat racing, Huangshan's popular outdoor resort is a cool world that is perfect for experiencing with children or a few friends.
There are still many sparsely populated and beautiful destinations waiting to be discovered in the poetic and picturesque Anhui. Take advantage of the summer vacation to experience your own cool summer.
