Day 1 Across the Country → Huangshan → Shexian
·afternoon
Today we will pick you up at the station or airport according to your high-speed train or flight schedule to Huangshan.
Our recommended time is: arrive before 15:30 in the afternoon, then go to Huizhou Ancient City for a tour and stay overnight near the ancient city.
Afterwards, we will visit the ancient city of Huizhou in She County. She County has always been the seat of Huizhou Prefecture. Built during the Qin Dynasty, it is one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China, boasting a thousand-year history and culture.
The tour guide will take us to visit the Xuguo Stone Archway, a unique eight-legged memorial archway in China, and then go to visit the Huizhou Government Office, climb the Huizhou ancient city wall, and experience the historical relics of the ancient city.
After descending the city wall, you still have time to explore Dousan Street, a hidden alley known as the "ancient wealthy area."
Tips: If you are interested in Huizhou culture, you can coordinate with the tour guide to visit the Anhui Huizhou History Museum (last admission at 16:30) first to gain a deeper understanding of Huizhou culture before visiting other places.
In the evening, we recommend tasting the local Wang Yitiao wontons, the ceiling hairy tofu in tofu dishes, and Lingshan fermented rice wine, to taste the mellow flavor that only Huizhou can offer.
Today we stayed at a special hotel near the ancient city, where we felt the profound heritage of Huizhou amidst the scholarly culture.
Day 2 She County → Tangyue Memorial Archway → Tangkou → Huangshan Scenic Area
·morning
If you get up early today, you can stroll to Yuliang Ancient Town, not far from your accommodation, to check in at Yuliang Dam, known as the "Dujiangyan of Jiangnan," and see the Xin'an Ancient Road and Yuliang Ancient Street. The morning mist curls up, and small boats drift across the river.
After breakfast, we left the ancient city around 8:00 and headed for the Tangyue Memorial Archway Group. Here, we listened to the guide's in-depth explanation of the memorial archway, one of the characteristics of Huizhou's ancient architecture. Huizhou's memorial archways are a national model. Walking all the way from Tangyue Village, seven staggered memorial archways are lined up in a row. The glory of Huizhou merchants, the hardships of official careers, the secret sorrow of Huizhou women, family affection, hometown love, and love are all frozen in the not-so-distant past with the memorial archways.
If you are interested, you can visit the nearby Bao Family Garden and appreciate the Huizhou bonsai art.
Around 10:30 AM, we boarded a bus and headed for the south gate of Huangshan Scenic Area. Arriving at Tangkou around 11:30 AM, we enjoyed a free lunch in the small town at the foot of the mountain. Afterwards, we packed light (large luggage will be stored at the foot of the mountain) and followed our guide to the scenic shuttle bus to the Yungu Cableway at the back of the mountain, where we ascended to Huangshan.
·afternoon
After going up the mountain, we followed the tour guide along the hiking trail, passing the Black Tiger Pine, Shixin Peak, Lion Peak, and Monkey Watching the Sea. The guide talked as we walked, and we also left enough time to take photos and check in along the way.
In the evening, you can enjoy the beautiful sunset over Huangshan Mountain from the mountain, and see the magnificent pines and rocks of Huangshan Mountain.
Checking into a hotel on the mountain at night, you can slowly feel the tranquility of Huangshan. The hike may be a bit tiring, but you can't miss the moonlight and starry sky of Huangshan. The night is clear and the air is bright, and there are often bright moonlights reflecting the pines and peaks. You can experience the wonderful artistic conception of "watching the moon in Huangshan" and feel so proud.
Rest in time to welcome the sunrise over the sea of clouds the next day. (The weather is highly affected by the weather, so please keep a normal mindset.)
Day 3 → Huangshan → Hongcun
·morning
If the weather is good, get up early in the morning and head to a sunrise viewing spot near your accommodation to slowly enjoy the beautiful sunrise. If you are lucky, you may even see the rolling sea of clouds.
·morning
After breakfast, around 8:00 AM, we continued our guided hike along the trail. Those with better physical fitness may consider walking down the Xihai Grand Canyon (all steps, about a 2-hour walk) to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Huangshan's rock formations. Upon reaching the valley floor (1,300 meters above sea level), we could take the popular Xihai Cable Car (100 yuan per person one-way) up to the Tianhai Scenic Area. Alternatively, you can skip the Xihai Grand Canyon.
For those with average fitness, we will lead you from the Echo Wall and Flying Rock all the way to Bright Summit, where you can overlook the main peaks of Huangshan, including Lotus Peak (which will be closed for a five-year period starting at the end of 2023 and is inaccessible), Aoyu Peak, and Tiandu Peak.
At noon, we had a free lunch on the mountain, and then continued on our way, passing Aoyu Cave, Yixiantian, etc., and headed to Yuping Tower on the front mountain to admire the national treasure Welcoming Pine.
·afternoon
At around 2:30 pm, we arrived at the Welcoming Pine at Yuping Tower, a landmark site, and took photos and group pictures.
Then return to the Yuping Cableway Entrance to take the cableway down the mountain, and follow the tour guide to transfer to the downhill scenic shuttle bus to the transfer center.
Around 16:00, we left the south gate of Huangshan by car and headed for Hongcun Scenic Area in Yi County.
We arrived at Hongcun around 17:30 and took our luggage into the ancient village to stay at a selected homestay. In the evening, we were free to have dinner in the village and enjoy the beautiful night view of Hongcun.
If you choose to upgrade your accommodation that night, you will stay at the Huizizai·Shanshui Hongcun Boutique Hotel, which is located at the entrance of Hongcun Scenic Area. After touring Hongcun, you can walk back to the hotel and enter Hongcun Scenic Area again the next day.
Day 4 Hongcun → Huangshan North Station/Huangshan Tunxi Airport → → Return home
·morning
You can sleep in a little to relieve fatigue from climbing Mount Huangshan today. If you prefer to get up early, you can also go to the heart of the Hongcun Scenic Area - Nanhu Lake for a scenic view. Nanhu Lake is particularly tranquil in the early morning.
After breakfast at 9:30, we'll follow our guide to Hongcun for an in-depth tour, learning about the history and present of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll visit Nanhu Academy, Yuezhao, the Wang Clan Ancestral Hall, Chengzhi Hall, and more. (The tour will last approximately one hour.)
In the morning, we will leave enough time for everyone to take photos, explore and enjoy the scenery of Hongcun during the day and the local customs and folk customs.
At noon, everyone can have lunch freely in the village.
In the afternoon, we will send you to the station or airport according to your return high-speed rail or flight schedule.
Reference return time: Depart from Hongcun at 13:30 in the afternoon. It is recommended to book a high-speed rail train departing from Huangshan North Station after 15:00, and it is recommended to book a flight departing from Huangshan Tunxi Airport after 18:00.
Tip: If you need to extend your tour time due to a late return, please note this when placing your order. We can also recommend other scenic spots and Hui-style villages in Yi County, such as Xidi and Nanping.
