Mount Qiyun, Infinite Joy

Here's a popular guide to Mount Qiyun:

Pre-Trip Preparation

- Documents: Bring valid IDs like your ID card for ticket purchases and hotel check-in.
- Clothing: Dress according to season - light jackets for spring/autumn, sun-protective wear for summer, and thick coats for winter. Wear anti-slip shoes for hiking.
- Essentials: Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and an umbrella or raincoat. Bring snacks and water to replenish energy.

Transportation Guide

- Public Transport: Arrive at Huangshan North Station, then take "Xiuning Route 1 Bus" directly to the scenic area or share a ride.
- Self-Drive: Navigate to "Mount Qiyun Scenic Area". Ample parking available. About 4 hours drive from Jiangsu/Zhejiang/Shanghai.

Accommodation Recommendations

- Xiangfurui Resort Hotel: Near the cable car station with convenient access and complete facilities.
- Elephant Home Study Inn: Artsy vibe with rooms named after writers, featuring a ground-floor bookstore and mountain-view terrace - perfect for photos.
- Moonlight Cliff Homestay: Offers views of Xianglu Peak at night and unique mountain living experience.

Itinerary Suggestions

- One-Day Route: Cable car up - Wangxian Tower - Longevity Character Rock - Zhenxian Cave - Moonlight Street - Taisu Palace - Small Pot Heaven - Yuxu Palace - Fangla Fortress - Cable car down. Covers core attractions showcasing Taoist culture and Danxia landforms.
- Two-Day Route: Day 1: Qiyun Town - Bamboo Rafting on Heng River - Evening Dragon Dance and Iron Flower Show. Day 2: Cable car exploration - Twelve Fairyland Scenes (including all one-day spots plus Danxia Corridor and Summit).

Food Recommendations

- Taoist Vegetarian Feast: Don't miss Songluo Tea Chicken and Mushroom Soup at "Baiyue Restaurant" near Taisu Palace.
- Local Specialties: Try Wucheng Tea Tofu, Preserved Vegetable Pastry, and Stinky Mandarin Fish Stuffed Tofu at Qiyun Town night market or local restaurants.

Photo Spots

- Yuxu Palace: Shoot backlit red walls against cliffs in morning, or drone shots of architecture embedded in Danxia formations.
- Danxia Corridor: Use polarizing filter after rain to capture red rock textures without glare.
- Moonlight Street: Compress village and Xianglu Peak layers with telephoto lens at dawn when chimney smoke rises.