Huangshan Highlights | 4-Day Southern Anhui Ancient Villages and Huangshan's Hidden Gems

Day 1: Across the Country → Huangshan

All day

Tourists come to Huangshan City from all over the country and check in at Xixinan B&B. Xixinan is 7km away from Huangshan North Station, and the drive takes about 10 minutes.

Xixinan Village is a renowned cultural town with over 1,200 years of history. Located at the southern foot of Mount Huangshan, on the upper reaches of the Xin'an River, and on the banks of the Fengle River, Xixinan Village was once known as the "richest village in She County." Within the village are numerous private gardens and orchards. Beyond the village lie vast maple and poplar forests, the clear Fengle River, and its shallows and stone bridges. Strolling through the village's old streets, visitors can admire century-old houses juxtaposed with newly constructed buildings, a harmonious blend of old and new, nature and culture, and a picturesque setting nestled between mountains and water.

After checking in, you can freely explore Xixi South Village, find unique cultural and creative shops, experience the new look of the ancient village, and explore the maple and poplar forest - this green wonderland.

Please be careful during your free time. We will inform you of the meeting time the next morning in the evening.

Note: ① If you order the basic package, you will be required to check in at the Xixinan B&B on the same day. The driving time from the high-speed rail station to Xixinan is approximately 10 minutes.
② If you order the upgraded package, a driver will pick you up from the high-speed rail station/airport and take you to the Xixinan B&B on the same day (this car is the hotel car, not the driver-guide car).

Day 2 Xixi South → Hongcun → Huangshan

·morning

08:00 Get up early and enjoy the breakfast carefully prepared by the B&B to welcome a full day;

08:30 After breakfast, we will go to Hongcun, a world cultural heritage ancient village (approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car). Hongcun is the epitome of Hui style architecture and a tourist attraction of Huangshan area. The village is rare in China for its "elaborate layout, ingenious structure, beautiful decoration and profound cultural connotation".

10:00 Walk through the streets and alleys of Hongcun, listen to the stories of Hongcun, understand the culture behind the buildings, and get close to the architecture and culture of Hongcun.

12:00 Free lunch. There are many good restaurants in Hongcun Scenic Area, so you can enjoy it.

·afternoon

13:30 Depart for Huangshan Scenic Area (approximately 1 hour drive). Huangshan Scenic Area is known as a national treasure and a world wonder, and has become a symbol of the magnificent mountains and rivers of the Chinese nation.

Arrive at Huangshan Scenic Area at 2:30 PM and ascend the mountain by cable car (the cable car fee is included; we recommend traveling light and leaving any large luggage at the base of the mountain or at your hotel for the first night). Today's mountain excursions include Black Tiger Pine, Shixin Peak, Lion Peak, and Monkeys Watching the Sea. In the evening, enjoy the stunning sunset over Huangshan and its enchanting pine and rock formations.

Stay at a mountain hotel (included in your reservation) for the evening, and slowly savor the tranquility of Huangshan. While the hike may be a bit strenuous, the moonlight and starry sky are unforgettable. The nights are clear and windy, and the bright moon often reflects against the pines and peaks, offering a breathtaking experience of "Huangshan Moon Viewing." With a bit of luck, you might even spot a shooting star streaking across the sky!

Notes: 1. Large luggage can be stored at the transfer center. Today's hike is approximately 5 kilometers, mostly on mountain roads. Please wear suitable hiking clothing and travel light.
2. Food and beverage costs at the top of the mountain are slightly higher than at the foot of the mountain. The tour
package at the top of the mountain will also be adjusted according to actual conditions. Please understand. 3. If you order the basic package, a dedicated driver will pick you up today to visit Hongcun and Huangshan Scenic Areas for your own tour. If you order the upgraded package, a driver-guide (a certified Chinese tour guide) will accompany you today to explain the tour of Hongcun and Huangshan Scenic Areas.

Day 3 Huangshan → Taohuatan

·morning

Don't miss the Huangshan sunrise! Feel free to get up early to suit your schedule. If the weather is good, you'll witness a breathtaking sea of ​​clouds. The sun slowly rises, and the clouds drift beneath your feet. It's a sight you'll never forget. Of course, beautiful scenery requires the right opportunity, so be sure to keep a calm mindset.

08:00 Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Don't waste the food you've harvested on the mountaintop. Then, start your itinerary for the day. The tour order is: Bright Summit, Aoyu Peak, Welcoming Pine, and Xihai Grand Canyon. (Train fare is 100 yuan per person one way, to be paid on site.)

12:00 Free lunch at the top of the mountain, and have a good rest;

·afternoon

13:00 Continue hiking down the mountain and visit the highlights of Huangshan. After reaching Guangmingding, hike towards the Welcoming Pine. Then take the cable car down the mountain (cable car fee included), and then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus to the transfer center to start the return journey.

After dinner at the foot of the mountain, we'll depart for Taohuatan (approximately a 2.5-hour drive) and check into the Taohuatan Poetry and Painting Mountain Water Hotel, a distinctive Anhui-style resort within the scenic area. Invested and built by renowned Chinese painter Mr. Song Yugui, this hotel, nestled beside Taohuatan, nestles against the mountainside and nestles beside the water. Its villa-style rooms are designed in the style of Anhui-style villas, offering a unique and stylish retreat ideal for a relaxing getaway.

Note: ① For tourists who have ordered the basic package, a dedicated driver will pick you up from the Huangshan Scenic Area Transfer Center today and transfer you to Taohuatan for your stay.
② For tourists who have ordered the upgraded package, a driver and guide (a certified Chinese-speaking tour guide) will accompany you from Huangshan Scenic Area today and transfer you to Taohuatan for your stay.

Day 4 Taohuatan → Tearful Farewell

All day

Don't be lazy, because the morning mist at Taohuatan is famously dreamy. (This is a new natural phenomenon.) Taohuatan is located downstream of the Taiping Lake Reservoir. The river water flowing out of the reservoir dam bottom maintains a constant temperature of around 14-17°C year-round. Four kilometers downstream from the dam, the river surface at Taohuatan is cold morning and evening, and the large temperature difference with the air causes condensation into water vapor, forming fog. The peach blossom wonderland that the poet Li Bai once saw was nothing like this. You need to seize the moment!

After a quick nap, stroll through the ancient town after breakfast, quietly immersing yourself in this pure land and witnessing the past of Taohuatan. As you approach the river, you can't help but recall the poem "To Wang Lun," which goes, "The waters of Taohuatan are a thousand feet deep, yet they cannot compare to the love Wang Lun bestowed upon me." Here, you'll find well-preserved, millennia-old cultural relics. Climb a pavilion to overlook the ancient town, or explore the tomb of the heroic figure Wang Lun.

Return in time, leave Taohuatan, and head to Gaotie North or the city to disband, kiss goodbye with tears, and see you next time.

If you return to Tunxi on the same day and do not leave, you can choose the Huixiu performance.

The Huangshan Huixiu performance is a must-see in Huangshan. This live-action performance showcases the profound culture and history of Huizhou, showcasing its merchants, opera, Huizhou-style architecture, and ancient villages. Experience an immersive audio-visual experience, resonate with the performers, and immerse yourself in a dreamlike Huizhou, fully understanding its history through the vibrant colors of ink and color. (You can click the link below to order discounted tickets separately. VIP seats are reserved for the 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM showtime during holidays. Tickets can be collected at the Huangshan Huixiu Service Center, also known as the Huangshan Performing Arts City. Tickets can be collected approximately half an hour before the show. The exact time will be announced on the day. Arriving early also allows access to the theater's surroundings for a variety of exciting performances, including acrobatics, dances, and character shows. One adult can bring one child under 1.2 meters free of charge. Children without a ticket do not have a seat; please check the box if you wish to reserve a seat.)

Note: ① For tourists who order the basic package, a dedicated driver will pick you up from Taohuatan and transfer you to Huangshan High-Speed ​​Railway Station/Huangshan City today.
② For tourists who order the upgraded package, a licensed Chinese-speaking driver and guide will accompany you from Taohuatan Scenic Area to the high-speed railway station/Huangshan City today.

Xixinan Village, located in Huizhou District, Anhui Province, is a renowned cultural town with over 1,200 years of history. Nestled at the southern foot of Huangshan Mountain, on the upper reaches of the Xin'an River, and on the banks of the Fengle River, Xixinan Village was once known as the "richest city in She County." Within the village, there are numerous private gardens and orchards. Beyond the village, there are vast maple and poplar forests, the clear Fengle River, and its shallows and stone bridges. Strolling through the village's old streets, you'll see century-old houses juxtaposed with newly constructed buildings, a harmonious blend of old and new, nature and culture, and a picturesque setting nestled between mountains and water.

Huangshan, located in southern Anhui Province, was formerly known as Yishan and renamed Huangshan in the Tang Dynasty. It is now part of Huangshan City. Hailed as a national treasure and a wonder of the world, Huangshan Scenic Area has become a symbol of the Chinese nation's magnificent landscape. Its three main peaks, Lotus, Bright Summit, and Heavenly Capital, all rise over 1,800 meters above sea level. Huangshan combines the grandeur of Mount Tai, the precipitousness of Mount Hua, the misty clouds of Mount Heng, the cascading waterfalls of Mount Lu, the intricate rocks of Yandang, and the beauty of Mount Emei. It is particularly renowned for its four unique features: unusual pines, grotesque rocks, sea of ​​clouds, and hot springs. Huangshan is a first-tier national key scenic spot and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.

Hongcun is one of the first 12 famous historical and cultural villages in China. As of 2014, the town has well-preserved more than 140 Ming and Qing dynasty dwellings. Its main attractions include: Spring Dawn at Nanhu Lake, Reading in the Academy, Lotus in the Moon Pond, Niuchang Canal, Green Water in the Twin Brooks, Ancient Trees in Front of the Pavilion, and Sunset at Leigang. It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2000.