A Place Where You Don’t Look Back at the Mountains—Huangshan

Huangshan 3 Days 2 Nights In-Depth Travel Guide (Budget 3000 RMB)
Suitable for: Independent travelers / Students / Photography enthusiasts
Theme: Classic attractions + off-the-beaten-path experiences, cost-effectiveness prioritized

📅 Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Hiking + West Sea Grand Canyon + Sunset
Day 2: Sunrise + Welcoming Pine + Popular Mini Train + Hot Springs
Day 3: Hongcun Ancient Village + Return
💰 Budget Breakdown (Total about 2800-3000 RMB)
Transportation: 600 RMB (round-trip high-speed train/bus + scenic area transport)
Accommodation: 600 RMB (1 night standard room on the mountain + 1 night guesthouse off the mountain)
Tickets: 450 RMB (Huangshan entrance + cable car + West Sea mini train)
Meals: 300 RMB (bring your own snacks + simple meals on the mountain)
Others: Hot spring ticket 150 RMB, Hongcun ticket 100 RMB, spare cash 200 RMB
📍 Day 1: Hiking + West Sea Grand Canyon
Morning
Transportation: Take the scenic area shuttle bus from Huangshan North Station at 7 AM (30 RMB/person, 1.5 hours) → Yungu Temple Cable Car Station (80 RMB/person, cable car recommended to save energy).
Route: Cable car → Shixin Peak (famous for unique pines) → Black Tiger Pine → Beihai Hotel (drop off luggage).
Afternoon
Highlight: Hike the West Sea Grand Canyon (about 3 hours, stunning canyon plank road), then take the popular mini train (100 RMB/person) back to Tianhai Station.
Sunset: Head to Bright Summit Peak or Paiyun Pavilion to watch the sunset glow.
🍜 Dinner: Mountain top restaurant about 60 RMB per person (recommended self-heating rice + ham sausage as backup).
🏠 Accommodation: Beihai Hotel / Bai’e Mountain Villa (standard room 600-800 RMB/night, book in advance).
📍 Day 2: Sunrise + Hot Springs + Leisure Tour
Early Morning
Sunrise: Arrive at Bright Summit Peak / Monkey Watching Sea by 5:30 AM to secure a spot (free, hotel provides down jackets).
Classic route: Descend passing Welcoming Pine → Lotus Peak (optional, steep but with excellent views) → Yuping Cable Car down (90 RMB/person).
Afternoon
Hot spring relaxation: Piaoxue Hot Springs at the foot of the mountain (150 RMB/person, relieves fatigue).
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Tangkou Town (200 RMB/night, recommended “Nuanshan Ting”).

🍲 Dinner: Tangkou Town “Old Neighbors Hui Cuisine” about 80 RMB per person (must-try stinky mandarin fish, Mao tofu).

📍 Day 3: Hongcun Ancient Village + Return
Morning
Transportation: Tangkou Town → Hongcun by bus (25 RMB/person, 1 hour), ticket 104 RMB (half price for students).
Sightseeing: Nanhu Painting Bridge → Moon Pond → Chengzhi Hall (Hui-style architecture photo spots).
Afternoon
Return: Hongcun → Huangshan North Station by bus (carpool 50 RMB/person), allow 2 hours travel time.

⚠️ Notes

Travel light uphill: Essential hiking poles, sunscreen, raincoat (weather on the mountain changes frequently).
Avoid cable car peak times: Long queues on weekends, recommend arriving before 7 AM at the cable car station.
Money-saving tip: Book tickets in advance on the “Huangshan Tourism Official Platform,” bring student ID.