Day 1: All-day gathering day · All locations → Arrive at Huangshan North Station/Huangshan Station; → Arrive at Huangshan Tunxi International Airport (self-drive) → Arrive at designated hotel in She County
All day
Today is the gathering day. Tourists from all over the country can go to She County, Huangshan, Anhui to gather and register.
Arrive at your designated hotel and check in using "China-TravelNote + Name." Check-in is typically after 2:00 PM. (If you arrive early, you can leave your luggage at the hotel. Early check-in is subject to availability.) Afterwards, you'll have free time to explore Huizhou!
Transportation Recommendations
High-speed rail/train to: Huangshan North Station, Huangshan Station.
Arrival by plane: Huangshan Tunxi International Airport. As it's quite far, we recommend taking a taxi. Upon arrival, you can explore downtown Tunxi first.
Driving: Navigate directly to the hotel.
Recommended travel
1. Tunxi Old Street
The Old Street is not very long, but it is the only well-preserved commercial pedestrian street in China that features architectural styles from the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It is also a bustling commercial street in Huangshan City. Many first-time visitors to Huangshan stop here to experience the bluestone slabs and ancient Huizhou architecture, walk across the old Ming Dynasty bridge, browse museums, and enjoy a good meal.
2. Liyang Old Street
Here, you'll find classic Hui-style architecture, with its gray tiles, white walls, bluestone slabs, and horse-head-shaped walls. And just around the corner, you might find a cozy cafe, a chapel, or even a cinema. Classical and modern, history and fashion, merge here. The mottled walls speak of history. Free from the crowds of Tunxi Old Street, this place offers a breathtaking view, a leisurely stroll along the stream, a picturesque experience. Around the next corner, you might find a cafe or a wine cellar, a harmonious blend of East and West.
Food recommendations
Anhui cuisine, as the least well-known cuisine among the four provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai and Anhui in the Yangtze River Delta, although it is not as good as Huaiyang cuisine, Zhejiang cuisine and Shanghai cuisine, its unique flavor is still loved by many people!
Our product manager highly recommends Huizhou cuisine to tourists! It emphasizes its "earthiness," embodying its natural, earthy essence. Start with a bite of the Huizhou Mosu dessert, which will fill your lips with a sesame aroma. In winter, a bowl of heart-warming, heart-warming traditional chicken soup, paired with bracken and winter bamboo shoots and stir-fried bacon, creates a truly festive atmosphere. Huizhou's famous Mao tofu and stinky mandarin fish are known for their distinctive flavors, so try them first and then choose according to your taste.
Tip: Anhui cuisine is known for its salty flavor, making it perfect with rice! Tourists who prefer a lighter palate can ask for less salt when ordering. You can also prepare a bowl of water to rinse the food for a lighter taste.
Day 2 Huangshan → Qiyun Mountain → Xiake Ancient Trail → Zuyuan/Muli Cave
08:30
After finishing our meal early at the hotel, we headed to Qiyun Mountain.
09:30
Arriving at Qiyun Mountain Scenic Area, in order to ensure sufficient time for sightseeing in Qiyun Mountain, we took the cable car up to Wangxian Tower and checked our tickets to enter the scenic area.
Cross the Mengzhen Bridge and pass through the "Dongtian Fudi" cliff carvings. Mi Fu's original "First Mountain" from the Northern Song Dynasty and Tang Bohu's "Qiyunyan Poetry" from the Ming Dynasty appear one after another. Touch the nine-foot-tall "Shou" character inscribed by Zhu Xi at Shouzi Rock. Ascend the steps through Tianyi Gate to marvel at the suspended Taoist temple of Zhenxian Cave. The Eight Immortals reliefs, the colossal Xuanwu statue, and Xianglu Peak form a "natural Tai Chi" spectacle. Looking back from Tianyi Gate, the whitewashed walls and black tiles of Yuehua Tianjie are already looming through the sea of clouds. The aroma of stinky mandarin fish wafts from the farmhouses of this "First Taoist Village in China."
13:00
After lunch at Yuehua Tianjie, we hiked the back mountain to Fangla Village, the Danxia landform, and Ziyun Pass, where we admired Wulao Peak from afar. We then passed through Yixiantian (One Line Sky) and Yuxu Palace, looping counterclockwise back to Wangxian Tower. We then descended the mountain via the Xiake Ancient Trail, passing Dengfeng Bridge. Alternatively, you can take the cable car at your own expense (line lengths may be expected during National Day holidays). In spring, Qiyun Mountain offers rapeseed fields and in autumn, golden rice paddies.
3:30 PM
Gather down the mountain and meet up with the bus, then head to Xikou Town and head to Zuyuan/Mulikeng (due to the shortage of accommodation on the top of the mountain during the National Day holiday, we will arrange accommodation in Mulikeng or Zuyuan based on the actual situation. To Zuyuan, you need to transfer to a small car to go up the mountain)
4:30 PM
Stay at Zuyuan Farmhouse. Explore the village's 1,600-year-old yew trees, stroll through the village, take photos, and plan dinner accordingly! Just thinking about the authentic Huizhou farmhouse cuisine makes you savor it!
Day 3 Zuyuan → Mengli Ancient Road → Muli Village → Bishan Village → Hongcun
·morning
Zuyuan Village and Muli Village are prone to sea of clouds, with sunrises visible nearly half the year. Tourists hoping to see the sunrise should bring their headlamps. We rushed to the observation deck in the dark (expected time: 5:00 PM), arriving before sunrise to see the entire village and the spectacular sunrise.
08:30
After having breakfast at the farm, I packed my belongings and set off along the Mengli Ancient Road to Mulikou. The entire ancient road was mainly dirt roads and stone steps, which felt comfortable to walk on.
12:00
Arriving at the Mulihu Observation Deck, one of the "100 Best Photo Spots in Huangshan," the beauty of the alpine village unfolds before your eyes. This little-known clifftop village, suspended on three sides and boasting a 300-year history, sits atop a mountain like a lost secret, veiled in the drifting mist. While there's no road access to this area, there's an observation deck on the mountain opposite the village, just a dozen minutes' walk away. It offers a panoramic view of the village and is also a great spot for photographing the sea of clouds.
2:00 PM
There are many farmers in Mulikeng. After lunch, we went down the mountain and drove to Yixian County.
3:30 PM
We arrived at Bishan Village in Yi County. Compared to other ancient villages in Huizhou, Bishan Village stands out. Far from the city center, it's not a popular tourist destination. Yet, within this remote village, you'll find: quaint yet artistic bookstores, period-themed cultural and creative shops, modern cafes, bourgeois-inspired bars, and artistically decorated guesthouses...
Must-see spots: the famous Bishan Bookstore (Pioneer Bookstore), the Pig Pen Bar, the Cow Pen Cafe, the Bishan Industrial and Commercial Society, and the Yunmen Pagoda, which was built in the Qing Dynasty.
5:30 PM
We continue to the world cultural heritage - Hongcun, the "Village in the Painting". We will stay in Hongcun tonight and feel the charm of the ancient Jiangnan village in the original village.
Hongcun, a representative of the Huizhou-style ancient villages, is an unmissable name among ancient Chinese villages. A visit to Hongcun is primarily to admire the waterscapes created by its irrigation system, with Nanhu Lake and Yuezhao as its highlights. Secondly, the architectural masterpieces of the Huizhou style—brick, stone, and wood carvings—are as intricate as paper-cuts, seamlessly integrating the cultural and natural landscapes. The horse-head walls are layered and staggered, while the exterior walls, with their gray and white mottled appearance, convey a sense of age. The gatehouses, with their raised eaves and angled corners, exude a rustic elegance. The courtyards, with their carved beams and painted rafters, are a vibrant and intricate display of art.
Day 4 Hongcun → Shuyuan → Tongling Ancient Road → Chengkan Ancient Town → Huizhou Ancient City
08:00
We had a farm breakfast. In the morning, Hongcun had not yet welcomed many tourists. We avoided the peak of the crowds and walked around the village, enjoying the quiet time in Hongcun.
10:00
Go to Shuyuan Village, step onto the Tongling Ancient Road, and visit the ancient village of Huizhou.
11:30
The Tongling Ancient Road, located southeast of Qiankou Town and Chengkan Town in Huizhou District, served as a former road leading from Shuyuan Village in the north and Chengkan Village in the east to Lingshan Village. With a history of over a thousand years, the road stretches over 7,200 meters. It primarily consists of mountain paths and sloping roads, paved primarily with granite slabs or muddy sand. Connecting three traditional Chinese villages, Chengkan, Lingshan, and Shuyuan, the Tongling Ancient Road offers breathtaking scenery of mountains, forests, springs, rocks, terraced fields, and bamboo forests, rich in Huizhou culture. The road features 47 unique Huizhou ancient architectural features across 10 categories, including ancient villages, streets, dwellings, ancestral halls, pavilions, memorial archways, bridges, and monuments. The road, primarily composed of stone slabs and dirt paths, offers minimal climbing and is in excellent condition. It passes through a forest of 550-year-old Castanopsis scleractinianus trees, each forming a single forest and shading the sky.
In spring, you can stroll through the rapeseed fields, in summer, the fields are full of sunflowers, and in autumn, the ancient trail is covered with a large area of ginkgo and sweetgum forests, and the autumn colors dye the mountains and fields. The Tongling Ancient Trail is a cultural hiking route for enjoying the scenery in all four seasons.
5:00 PM
We hiked to Chengkan Ancient Town, where everyone enjoyed their own leisurely exploration. Chengkan is renowned for its unique Bagua layout and rich historical and cultural heritage, rivaling Xidi and Hongcun. Built on a hillside and facing a river, the ancient town sits west and faces east, facing Lingjin Mountain and backed by Geshan. The entire village's layout is based on the I Ching's principle of "the unity of yin (Kan) and yang (Cheng), the unity of nature and man." Fish lantern display location: Chengkan Yongxing Lake Autumn Drying Square.
·night
After the tour, proceed to the She County hotel and check in to rest. If there is a fish lantern parade in Chengkan Ancient Town in the evening, you will arrive after the parade ends! (Expected arrival time is 21:00, so please go to bed early if it is late.)
Day 5 Hotel → Yangchan Tulou → Zhangshan Grand Canyon → Huizhou Ancient City
08:30
After breakfast at the hotel, we headed to Yangchan Tulou
09:00
The Wenchang Ancient Road served as the main thoroughfare for the people of Nanxiang, She County, and also served as the route for them to carry rice to Jingde. Legend has it that it was built in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic period by a wealthy man from Wenshan Village to marry a daughter-in-law. Back then, this ancient road was bustling, dotted with pavilions, teahouses, inns, and shops. Even merchants from Zhejiang traveled along it, traveling to She County, Jixi, and Jingde for business.
The Yangchan Tulou, a representative example of this route, boasts a rich history spanning over 400 years. Unlike the typical whitewashed walls and black tiles of the Hui-style architecture, the buildings here are constructed from red earth, forming a staggered, orderly pattern. The bright yellow buildings nestle amidst the vibrant forest, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The surrounding hills are a vibrant spectacle, and villagers dry a variety of produce, including peppers, persimmons, corn, and pumpkins, in front of and behind their houses.
We hiked the highlight of the Wenchang Ancient Trail, connecting three villages—Yangchan, Xiachan, and Wangshan. Bluestone paths connected the earthen buildings, and strolling in the afternoon sun was quite picturesque.
Entering this mysterious, untouched village, you'll discover the village nestled against the mountain, stretching from its base to its summit. Over 300 towering buildings, each in a vibrant red, black, and white, complement each other beautifully. First-time visitors will be struck by the rows and rows of quaint, well-proportioned buildings.
13:00
Go to the Zhuangshan Grand Canyon Scenic Area, transfer to the local scenic shuttle bus at the bus parking lot to reach the starting point, go to the bathroom, pack up your things and start walking along the hiking trail into the depths of the canyon.
As you descend deeper into the canyon, the roar of waterfalls and the hum of rushing water fill your ears. Mountain spring water swirls along the winding streambed, revealing a rocky riverbed and swimming groupers. As you ascend, the water gradually darkens, becoming a glass-like hue that's truly captivating. It's arguably the pinnacle of jelly water in southern Anhui. Passing through Tianzi Lake and Yuyang Valley, you'll find numerous waterfront trails and pavilions along the way. The canyon is shaded by trees, keeping it exceptionally cool in the summer.
After arriving at Tianmen Zhongkai and Baizhang Rock, take the scenic shuttle bus back to the starting point.
6:00 PM
We return to the center of Huizhou - Huizhou Ancient City.
The ancient city of Huizhou is a national historical and cultural city. It was the seat of Huizhou Prefecture in ancient times. It is the birthplace of Huizhou culture and the national quintessence Peking Opera. It is also the main birthplace of Huizhou merchants and the main production area of Huizhou ink and She inkstone, two of the four treasures of the study. It is one of the "Four Ancient Cities".
Day 6 Hotel → Xin'anjiang
08:00
After breakfast at the hotel, we headed to take a cruise on the Xin'an River
We admired the scenery along the Xin'an River, climbing the Three Ponds, exploring the thousand-year-old King Camphor Tree, and watching a performance of the Nine Surnames Fishermen's Song. "People walk in a mirror, birds fly through a screen," and "Spring brings the river green as blue." The verdant peaks along the Xin'an River contrast beautifully with the ancient villages and dwellings with their whitewashed walls and black tiles, creating a picturesque scene of green mountains and a riverside village, forming a beautiful landscape painting in traditional Chinese medicine.
11:00
After the cruise, we headed to the ancient village of Xixinan.
Among the many ancient villages in southern Anhui, Xixinan, nestled between mountains and water, boasts lush vegetation: millennia-old ginkgo trees, century-old osmanthus trees, sprawling ancient maple and poplar forests, tranquil and beautiful wetland landscapes, and a rich birdlife. This secret retreat is a haven steeped in ancient charm and natural beauty. Surrounded by the intertwined roots and branches of century-old trees, the Banben Bridge and Dingbu Bridge complement each other, while the gently flowing stream dapples the afternoon sun across the water, creating a picturesque and picturesque experience.
Entering the ancient village, one discovers numerous ancient, remarkably well-preserved Hui-style dwellings. The village's Laowu Pavilion is particularly exquisite. This U-shaped quadrangle has two floors, with the upper floor higher than the lower. This design, adapted to local conditions based on geography and climate, is also known as the "upper hall." The beauty backrests and flying chairs on the side of the attic are both ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing. The corridors and corners reveal the ingenuity of ancient design.
3:00 PM
At the end of the trip, we will drop you off at the station and then at the airport. It takes about 15 minutes to reach Huangshan North Station and 45 minutes to reach Huangshan Tunxi International Airport.
Traffic jams are common during holidays, so it is recommended that you reserve at least one hour for high-speed trains and two hours for flights. It is also recommended to book high-speed train tickets after 16:30 and flights after 18:00.
If you have booked an earlier departure, you can leave the group early and take a taxi to the high-speed rail station/airport on your own.
