Anhui's Little Tibet! Sea of Clouds and Rime Ice at Mount Jiuhua

Things to Know Before You Go
- Weather: The average temperature in February is -5°C to 8°C. Rime ice and seas of clouds are common, with occasional snowfall. Windproof down jackets and non-slip hiking boots are recommended.
- Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Chizhou Station, then transfer to a scenic bus directly to the area (about 1 hour). For self-driving, pay attention to snow chains and transfer to a shuttle bus within the scenic area (50 CNY/person).
- Tickets: Off-season tickets are 140 CNY. The Tiantai cable car line costs 85 CNY (winter operation until 4:30 pm).

Must-See and Do
1️⃣ Snow Viewing at Baisui Palace: Take the cable car to the top and enjoy a distant view of the snow-covered "Natural Sleeping Buddha," capturing the red walls, golden roofs, and rime ice in one frame.
2️⃣ Praying for Blessings at the Flesh Body Hall: Circle the hall three times in the snow. The Hall of the True Body of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva appears even more solemn in the snow.
3️⃣ Huatai's Glass Wonderland: Admire the spectacular icicles from the cliffside plank road. On clear days, you can see the sea of clouds rising and falling (free admission).
4️⃣ Sutra Copying by the Fire at Zhiyuan Temple: The temple provides charcoal braziers for a calming and meditative experience in the snow.

2-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Jiuhua Street → Flesh Body Hall → Huacheng Temple → Baisui Palace Cable Car (stay overnight at a guesthouse in Jiuhua Street and enjoy a vegetarian hot pot in the evening).
Day 2: Tiantai Cable Car → Hike to the summit to view the sea of clouds → Stroll along the snowy bamboo path in Minyuan Bamboo Forest → Return.

Tips
- The steps can be slippery in snowy weather. You can purchase simple ice grips (10 CNY/pair at the foot of the mountain).
- For photographing rime ice, it is recommended to arrive at Tiantai before 7 am and bring hand warmers to protect your camera batteries.
- Recommended farmhouse dishes on the mountainside: Stone Fungus Chicken Soup and Pickled Mustard Green with Winter Bamboo Shoots.

Advantages of Winter Travel: Fewer crowds, pristine scenery, accommodation prices as low as 100 CNY, and excellent photo opportunities of ancient temples in the snow!