Hidden Immortal Mountain at the Foot of Huangshan! A 2-Day Leisure Tour of Qiyun Mountain, Even Xu Xiake Checked In Twice

Always thought Huangshan’s unique beauty was the pinnacle of Jiangnan, until stepping into Qiyun Mountain in Xiuning, then I understood what "Danxia as a curtain, Taoist temples floating in mist" means in terms of immortal charm. This Taoist holy site hidden at the foot of Huangshan, even Xu Xiake couldn’t resist visiting twice. Night tours sparkle with fireworks, daytime offers immortal mountain quests—definitely a hidden gem around Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai!

📍Must-See Before You Go: Transportation & Accommodation Guide

- Location: Qiyun Mountain Town, Xiuning County, Huangshan City
- Transportation: Super convenient after taking the high-speed train to Huangshan North Station! A 30-minute taxi ride (about 50 RMB) directly to the mountain foot. Budget travelers can take Xiuning Bus Line 1, which also easily gets you there in about an hour.
- Accommodation: Highly recommend Xiangfurui Hotel! Just a 5-minute walk to the cable car entrance, no need to rush in the morning, and you can see the dark mountain scenery right from your window. Waking up to clouds swirling around the mountains is simply breathtaking. For those wanting a wild experience, the Freedom Home Treehouse offers a super healing stay immersed in the forest.

🌙Day 1: Night Tour of Qiyun, Jiangnan Immortal Town in Fireworks

After arriving in the afternoon, drop off your luggage first, don’t rush up the mountain—the night at Qiyun Mountain holds surprises!

At 4:00 PM, leisurely take the Hengjiang bamboo raft drift (40 RMB/person). With a gentle push of the bamboo pole, the raft drifts along the emerald river. The Huizhou-style houses on the shore appear faintly, occasional light rain drifts by, and the misty air creates a real-life Jiangnan rain scene. Every photo you take looks like an ancient-style masterpiece.

At 6:00 PM, head straight to the farmhouse restaurant on Yuehua Tianjie, must-try local specialties! Mao tofu is crispy outside and tender inside, with a unique bean aroma (if you’re hesitant, just try a bite—you might fall in love). The stinky mandarin fish is amazing, firm and bouncy meat, smells "stinky" but tastes delicious, perfect with rice for two big bowls!

At 7:30 PM, the highlight of the night tour begins! First, watch the Hengjiang dragon boat dance by the Dengfeng Bridge. The lights reflect on the water as the dragon boats shuttle back and forth, lively and atmospheric. Then comes the intangible cultural heritage iron flower show, where molten iron at 1600°C is thrown into the night sky by craftsmen, instantly turning into a shower of sparks. The explosive moment makes you say "wow"—so stunning! The fire pot parade follows, with waves of heat and a full-on fireworks vibe.

At 8:00 PM, don’t miss the fish lantern night tour! Carrying antique-style fish lanterns, walk through the alleys of the town. The flickering lights and dancing shadows create a perfect atmosphere. Grab a passerby to take a photo of you holding the lantern, and your social media grid is guaranteed to be the star!

☁️Day 2: Immortal Mountain Quest, 6-Hour Circular Hike to See the Best

At 8:30 AM, take the cable car up the mountain on time (round trip 130 RMB, one way 10 minutes). The cable car slowly ascends, the Danxia red cliffs below become clearer, and the sea of clouds flows through the valley, as if stepping into a fantasy martial arts drama scene.

After getting off the cable car, follow the circular hiking trail (about 6 hours total, packed with scenery, tiring but worth it!). Every step is a surprise:

- Start at Wangxian Tower, overlooking the rolling sea of clouds. Use your phone’s live mode to capture the dynamic beauty of the flowing clouds.
- At Dongtian Fudi, see the cliff inscriptions. Touching the ancient characters feels like conversing with literati from a thousand years ago.
- Don’t miss the Zhenxian Cave! The giant "Heaven Opens, Divine Beauty" stone carving is magnificent, and the cliff hanging coffin nearby is mysterious, making you wonder how ancient people placed coffins on steep cliffs.
- Arriving at Yuehua Tianjie is stunning. This Huizhou-style village built on a cliff looks like a floating market in the sky when the morning mist hasn’t cleared. From aerial shots, the white walls and dark tiles are nestled among the Danxia mountains—absolutely beautiful.
- The incense at Taisu Palace is thriving. The symmetrical aesthetics of Taoist architecture are beyond photos. Standing in front of the hall with the incense burner peak behind is solemn yet ethereal.
- Enter the secret cave of Xiaohutian. Use the cave as a frame to shoot silhouettes. If it rains, the cave’s mist creates a natural fairy-tale filter, like a wonderland.
- The Ming Dynasty red walls of Yuxu Palace contrast strikingly with the Danxia red cliffs. Hanfu enthusiasts must come here; every pose is a perfect ancient-style shot.
- Climb to the top of Fanglazhai. The steep steps are a bit challenging (not for those afraid of heights!), but the panoramic view of the Danxia canyon from the top instantly heals all fatigue.
- Finally, walk the Danxia Corridor. At 4 PM, the sunlight slants on the red cliff fault, creating interlaced light and shadow. The red rock walls seem to glow, and every photo looks like wallpaper material.

⚠️Key Reminder: The cable car stops running at 4:50 PM! Don’t get too caught up in the scenery and miss the time to descend, or you’ll have to hike down for 3 hours, exhausting yourself to the point of questioning life.

📸9 Top Photo Spots, Even Beginners Can Shoot Masterpieces

1. Zhenxian Cave: "Heaven Opens, Divine Beauty" carving + cliff hanging coffin, full of ancient mystery vibes
2. Yuehua Tianjie: Aerial shot of cliff village, shoot the "market in the sky" vibe in morning mist
3. Taisu Palace: Main hall and incense burner peak in one frame, perfect Taoist architectural symmetry
4. Xiaohutian: Cave frame silhouette shots, rainy days bring natural fairy filters
5. Yuxu Palace: Ming Dynasty red walls + Danxia cliffs, top spot for Hanfu photos
6. Fanglazhai: Summit panoramic shot of Danxia canyon, breathtaking scenery heals all
7. Danxia Corridor: Best light and shadow at 4 PM, red cliff fault is super photogenic
8. Wangxian Tower: Cable car station overlooking sea of clouds, use live mode to capture cloud flow
9. Hengjiang Night Tour: Capture dynamic light trails during fish lantern parade, full atmosphere

💡Practical Tips to Avoid Pitfalls and Enjoy Worry-Free

- Gear: Bring a lightweight backpack! Pack 2 bottles of water + sun protection clothing. Hiking poles save 30% of your effort and are your lifeline for the whole hike.
- Night Tour: The iron flower show is only on Friday and Saturday nights! Plan ahead if you want to see it, and get there early to grab front-row seats, or you’ll only see heads.
- Ticket Benefits: Students get free admission in summer! University student combo tickets are only 88 RMB, super cost-effective. Students, just go for it!

With Danxia red cliffs as the canvas and Taoist temples in the clouds, this Qiyun Mountain trip blends Jiangnan’s gentleness with the grandeur of an immortal mountain. Are you ready to embark on a journey where fireworks and immortal charm intertwine?