My fifth trip to Mount Huangshan: Here's the ultimate itinerary to avoid 80% of the tourists.

🌅[Cloud Wonderland Route]
✅ Morning Mist Viewing Platform → Beginning-to-Believe Peak → Black Tiger Pine → Refreshing Terrace
(Take the first cable car before 6:30 am to enjoy the sea of clouds all to yourself. This is a photographer's secret route.)

⛰️[Amazing Photo Spots]
1️⃣ Stone Monkey Watching the Sea Cliff Plank Road
(Navigate to Beihai Hotel and walk for 15 minutes. Use the 0.5x wide-angle lens on your phone for instant Insta-worthy shots.)
2️⃣ The third car of the Xihai Grand Canyon train
(The descent feels like traveling through the world of Avatar. The best lighting is between 3-4 pm.)
3️⃣ Yupinglou's popular balcony
(Take photos with the Welcoming Pine without the crowds. A cup of Huangshan Maofeng tea adds to the perfect shot.)
4️⃣ Sunset viewing platform at Danxia Peak
(Three times fewer people than Guangming Peak. Watch the sunset paint the granite rocks.)

🚫 Things to avoid:
× Tiandu Peak is currently closed.
× Whether the popular 3-minute train ride is worth it depends on the weather.
× Book mountaintop hotels 30 days in advance for early bird discounts.

🍲 Must-try food:
✔️ Lao Jie Fang Huizhou Cuisine: Stinky Mandarin Fish three ways
✔️ Cloud Sea Cafe: Welcoming Pine Latte Art
✔️ Huangshan baked cakes: Recommended with slightly spicy preserved mustard greens

📸 Outfit recommendations:
Brightly colored hiking jacket + non-slip hiking shoes + bandana
(There's a large temperature difference on the mountaintop, so bring a light down jacket even in July.)

💌 Insider tips:
The least crowded route is ascending from the back mountain, Yungu Temple.
Self-heating hot pot is better than instant noodles.
When a porter says "5 more minutes," it actually means half an hour. 😂