Huangshan’s autumn scenery is insanely beautiful! Explore red maple leaves and sea of clouds in 2 days and 1 night, plus some off-the-beaten-path autumn spots

🚌｜Transportation Guide: Direct routes to the scenic area without detours

• External Transportation (Choose the right entrance to save 2 hours)

◦ Airplane: Prefer Huangshan Tunxi International Airport, then take the direct shuttle bus to the scenic area (25 RMB/person) for 1.5 hours to the South Gate, saving over 50 RMB compared to a taxi

◦ High-speed Rail: Huangshan North Station is the top choice! Turn left after exiting the station to take the “North Station - Huangshan Scenic Area” bus (20 RMB/person, 1 hour direct), don’t trust unlicensed taxis at the station entrance

• Internal Transportation (Must-see money-saving tips)

◦ Scenic Area Shuttle Bus: A must-buy! 21 RMB/person for a pass covering South Gate - Cable Car Stations - all transfer points, walking is impossible to cover it all

◦ Cable Cars: For autumn trips, prioritize the Yungu Cable Car (up) + Yuping Cable Car (down). The Yungu Cable Car route is full of red maples, and the Yuping Cable Car offers views of the Welcoming Pine. Don’t take the wrong direction!

🏠｜Accommodation Recommendations: Stay in the right place to catch the sunrise

• Mountain Accommodation (Must choose if you want to shoot the sunrise)

◦ High-end option: Bright Summit Villa (Guangmingding Mountain Villa): 50 meters from the door to see the sunrise, heated in autumn and winter, downside is expensive (1000+ RMB/night), book 1 month in advance

◦ Cost-effective option: Paiyunxing Inn: 10-minute walk to Paiyun Pavilion, can watch the sunset, off-season prices start at 600+ RMB including breakfast

• Accommodation at the foot of the mountain (for limited budgets)

◦ Stay in Tangkou Town: Closest to the South Gate, guesthouses 150-300 RMB/night, authentic Huizhou cuisine available, recommended around “Tangkou Old Street,” very pleasant for evening strolls

🍱｜Food Recommendations: Must-try Huizhou dishes without risk

• Must-try signature dishes (local favorite restaurants)

◦ Stinky Mandarin Fish: Choose “Old Street First Building,” the fish is fermented for 7 days, firm texture. Avoid street vendors selling under 100 RMB, they might be frozen fish

◦ Mao Tofu: Must eat freshly pan-fried! Recommended “Huizhou Renjia,” crispy outside and tender inside, perfect with chili sauce. If hesitant, try a small piece first

• Snacks & Souvenirs (Don’t overpay)

◦ Huangshan Sesame Seed Cake: Buy at “Zhan’s Sesame Seed Cake” in Tangkou Town, 10 RMB/bag, the preserved vegetable and meat filling is the most fragrant. Don’t buy in the scenic area (15 RMB/bag)

◦ Qimen Black Tea: Look for the “Tianzhi Hong” brand, tea shops outside the scenic area offer tastings. Don’t buy from tour guide-recommended “specialty shops,” you might get scammed

🗺️｜Autumn Viewing Routes: 3 routes for different travelers

• 1-day Highlights Tour (for tight schedules)
South Gate → Yungu Cable Car up → Shixin Peak (dense red maple area) → Lion Peak (best spot for sea of clouds photos) → Paiyun Pavilion (watch sunset) → Yuping Cable Car down → Return

• 2-day In-depth Tour (must see sunrise and sunset)

◦ Day 1: South Gate → Yungu Cable Car up → Shixin Peak → Beihai Scenic Area → Paiyun Pavilion (sunset) → Overnight at Paiyunxing Inn

◦ Day 2: 5:30 AM sunrise at Bright Summit → West Sea Grand Canyon (take the popular small train) → Aoyu Peak → Welcoming Pine → Yuping Cable Car down

• Off-the-beaten-path Autumn Spots (avoid crowds)

◦ Mukeng Bamboo Sea: In autumn, red maples dot the bamboo forest, few people and beautiful scenery, 20 minutes by taxi from Tangkou Town

◦ Tachuan Village: Less crowded than Hongcun! From late October to mid-November, the Chinese tallow trees at the village entrance turn fully red, perfect for ancient-style photos

⚠️｜Pitfall Avoidance Guide: Don’t fall for these traps!

• Tickets: Book in advance on the “Huangshan Tourism Official Platform,” don’t trust “agent discount tickets,” most are fake. Peak season (Oct-Nov) limits visitors, no reservation means no entry

• Gear: Don’t bring too much luggage! Mountain porters charge 10 RMB per jin (0.5 kg). Bring a lightweight down jacket for autumn and winter (it’s 5-8°C colder on the mountain), wear non-slip sports shoes, and bring trekking poles on rainy days

• Expenses: Bottled water inside the scenic area costs 10 RMB/bottle, better to buy a 1.5L bottle at the foot of the mountain; don’t buy “Huangshan specialty jade,” mostly fake

• Guides: Unless you don’t know the way at all, don’t hire unofficial guides (charge 200-300 RMB). There is a free audio guide in the scenic area, just scan the QR code to listen