Huangshan Wonderland Awaits You

Core Itinerary Concept

· Theme: "Huangshan Wonders + In-depth Huizhou Ancient Charm Experience"
· Style: Comfortable independent travel, balancing mountain climbing challenges and cultural leisure
· Budget Allocation: Transportation (30%), Accommodation (25%), Tickets (20%), Dining (20%), Others (5%)

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Itinerary Overview

· Day 1: Arrive in Huangshan → Tunxi Old Street → Liyang in Alley
· Day 2: Huangshan Scenic Area → Yungu Cableway up the mountain → Visit Beihai Scenic Area → Stay on the mountaintop
· Day 3: Huangshan Sunrise → West Sea Grand Canyon → Bright Summit → Yuping Cableway down the mountain → Hongcun
· Day 4: In-depth tour of Hongcun → Bishan/Lucun (lesser-known choice) → Huizhou cultural experience
· Day 5: Huizhou Ancient City → Return trip
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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: First Encounter with Huizhou · Stroll through Old Street

· Morning/Afternoon: Arrive in Huangshan City. It is recommended to take the high-speed train to "Huangshan North Station" for the most convenient transportation.
· Accommodation: Stay in a hotel in Tunxi District (Huangshan city area). Recommended are the five-star Crowne Plaza Huangshan Yucheng or the four-star Huangshan International Hotel, both comfortable to reserve energy for the next day's mountain climb. Budget about 500-700 RMB/night.
· Afternoon/Evening:
· Tunxi Old Street: Experience the "living Qingming Riverside Scene," stroll on bluestone paths, and admire Huizhou-style architecture. Try Huizhou specialties like fermented tofu and stinky mandarin fish.
· Liyang in Alley: Just across the river from the old street, this is a creative cultural block blending old and new, more youthful and fashionable, perfect for an evening walk, coffee, or a drink.
· Dining:
· Lunch: Casual meal in the city, try a bowl of Huangshan sesame seed cake or Huizhou tart.
· Dinner: Choose a well-reviewed Huizhou cuisine restaurant on the old street, such as "Da Sha Huicaiyuan" or "Old Street No.1 Building," about 100-150 RMB per person.

Day 2: Challenge Huangshan · First Exploration of the Wonderland

· Morning: After breakfast, take a taxi or tourist bus from the hotel to the South Gate of Huangshan Scenic Area (about 1 hour). At the transfer center, take the park shuttle to Yungu Temple Station, then take the Yungu Cableway up the mountain.
· Afternoon: After the cableway ride, start sightseeing:
· Shixin Peak (to appreciate Huangshan’s famous pines)
· Black Tiger Pine, Twin Pines
· Dream Pen Produces Flowers
· Monkey Watching the Sea
· Accommodation: Must stay on the mountaintop tonight! To watch the sunrise and save energy. Mountaintop accommodation is limited and expensive, so book in advance.
· Comfortable options: Paiyun Lodge, West Sea Hotel, Beihai Hotel. Budget about 1000-1400 RMB/night (standard room).
· Budget options: Baiyun Hotel, Bright Summit Villa with shared rooms and private bathrooms. Budget about 200-300 RMB/person.
· Dining:
· Lunch: At a mountaintop restaurant, about 60-80 RMB per person. You can also bring your own snacks.
· Dinner: At the hotel restaurant or buffet, about 120-150 RMB per person.

Day 3: Huangshan Highlights · Encounter Hongcun

· Early Morning: Depending on your hotel location and sunrise time (check with the front desk in advance), go to Danxia Peak, Lion Peak, or Bright Summit to watch the magnificent Huangshan sunrise.
· Morning: After breakfast, challenge the most scenic West Sea Grand Canyon. It is recommended to take the popular small train (track cable car) up and down to save energy and time.
· Afternoon: Pass through Bright Summit, Aoyu Peak, Hundred-step Cloud Ladder, arrive at Yuping Building, and take photos with the iconic Welcoming Pine. Then take the Yuping Cableway down the mountain.
· Evening: Take a pre-booked private car or park shuttle bus (about 1 hour) to the "painting-like village" — Hongcun.
· Accommodation: Stay in a Huizhou-style guesthouse inside Hongcun Scenic Area to experience living by the water. Recommended are Shilili Qingmei Academy (high-end) or Hongcun Old Street Moye Huizhou Guesthouse (mid-to-high-end). Budget about 400-700 RMB/night.
· Dining:
· Lunch: Simple meal on the mountain or bring your own snacks.
· Dinner: Enjoy authentic Huizhou cuisine at the guesthouse or a restaurant by the Moon Pond, about 80-100 RMB per person.

Day 4: Painting-like Village · Slow Life in Huizhou

· Morning: Experience the quietest moment of Hongcun in the morning mist. Follow a guide or use a map to savor attractions like South Lake, Moon Pond, Chengzhi Hall, Wang Clan Ancestral Hall, and appreciate the exquisite Huizhou "Three Carvings" (wood, stone, and brick carvings).
· Afternoon: (Choose one)
· Option A (Classic): Visit nearby Lucun to admire the world-unique wooden carved buildings, quieter than Hongcun.
· Option B (Artistic): Visit Bishan Village to explore the Huizhou branch of Vanguard Bookstore — Bishan Bookstore and Gongxiaoshe, experiencing the clash of trendy and traditional.
· Evening: Enjoy Hongcun’s night, find a quiet bar to relax, or experience the guesthouse’s tea room and handicrafts (such as Huizhou ink gold painting).
· Dining:
· Lunch: Taste farmhouse dishes in Hongcun or Lucun/Bishan, about 60-80 RMB per person.
· Dinner: Specialty restaurants inside Hongcun, about 80-100 RMB per person.

Day 5: Ancient City Charm · Journey Home

· Morning: After breakfast, take a private car or bus to Huizhou Ancient City in She County (about 1 hour). It is one of China’s four great ancient cities and the seat of Huizhou Prefecture. Visit Xuguo Stone Archway, Huizhou Prefecture Office, Doushan Street, and feel the profound historical atmosphere.
· Noon: Enjoy your last Huizhou lunch near the ancient city.
· Afternoon: Pack up and head to Huangshan North Station (about 40 minutes) or Huangshan Airport according to your flight or train schedule, concluding a pleasant trip to Anhui.

Estimated Per Person Budget Details

Item Details Per Person Cost (RMB)
Transportation Round-trip major transport (based on second-class high-speed train seat), local private car/bus, park shuttle, cableways 1800 - 2200
Accommodation 4 nights (1 night city five-star + 1 night mountaintop + 2 nights boutique guesthouses in Hongcun) 1500 - 1800
Tickets Huangshan (190), Hongcun (94), Huizhou Ancient City (including Prefecture Office, 100), West Sea small train (100) About 500
Dining 5 days meals + snacks + drinks 800 - 1000
Others Souvenirs, snacks, emergency medicine, etc. 300
Total 4900 - 5800

Conclusion: This budget plan is very ample. Even during peak seasons like National Day or May Day, when transportation and accommodation costs rise, 6000 RMB can fully cover expenses. Choosing more economical mountaintop lodging and city hotels can further reduce the budget.

Helpful Tips

1. Book in advance! Especially mountaintop accommodation in Huangshan and round-trip major transport tickets, book at least 1-2 weeks ahead.
2. Travel light: On the climbing day, bring only essentials and leave large luggage at the hotel in the city or at the mountain base.
3. Wear comfortable shoes: Be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes or hiking boots as Huangshan trails are steep. Mountain weather changes frequently, bring rain gear and warm jackets.
4. Manage your energy: Days 2 and 3 require high physical strength; proceed according to your ability and consider skipping some spots if needed.
5. Food experience: Huizhou cuisine is rich in oil, color, and cooking techniques. Signature dishes like stinky mandarin fish and fermented tofu are worth trying but may not suit everyone’s taste.