Anhui Huangshan Autumn Travel Guide

Huangshan, known as "the most magnificent mountain under heaven," is breathtakingly beautiful in autumn! The mountains are covered with red leaves intertwined with seas of clouds, and the strange pines and bizarre rocks appear mysteriously in the morning mist—every snapshot looks like a masterpiece. Below is a super detailed 2025 autumn travel guide for Huangshan to help you easily plan your trip!

📍 Location and Best Season

- Location: Huangshan City, Anhui Province, with the core scenic areas divided into the Front Mountain (Yupinglou) and the Back Mountain (Yungu Temple).

- Best Time: Late October to mid-November (peak season for red leaves and sea of clouds).

- Red Leaf Viewing Period: Late October, when Huangshan pines, maples, and ginkgo trees gradually change color; Bright Summit and West Sea Grand Canyon are especially spectacular.

- Sea of Clouds Peak Period: After rain clears or early morning (over 80% chance); Bright Summit and Lion Peak are the best viewing spots.

🚗 Transportation Guide

- External Transportation:

- Airplane: Direct flight to Huangshan Tunxi International Airport, then about 1 hour by taxi to Huangshan Scenic Area.

- High-speed Rail: Arrive at Huangshan North Station, turn right after exiting to take the scenic area shuttle bus (30 RMB/person, 1 hour direct to Huangshan South Gate).

- Internal Scenic Area Transportation:

- Cable Cars: Front Mountain Yuping Cableway (one-way 90 RMB), Back Mountain Yungu Cableway (one-way 80 RMB). It is recommended to take one cable car up and the other down to save energy.

- Scenic Area Shuttle Bus: From Tangkou Town to Hot Spring Area/Yungu Temple/Ciguang Pavilion, one-way 20 RMB, about 15 minutes.

💰 Tickets and Discounts

- Entrance Ticket: 190 RMB/person (regular season from January 21 to December 19), limited free tickets every Wednesday (must grab tickets via the "Huangshan Tourism Official Platform" mini program).

- Cable Car Tickets: Yungu/Taiping Cableway one-way 80 RMB, Yuping Cableway one-way 90 RMB.

- Free Admission: Seniors over 65, active military personnel, children under 1.2 meters (with valid ID).

- Repeat Visit Benefit: Visitors entering in October-November 2025 can revisit once for free between December 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026!

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations

- Mountain Top Accommodation (recommended to stay 1 night for sunrise viewing):

- High-end Options: Baiyun Hotel (floor-to-ceiling window rooms, floor heating + VIP viewing platform), Shilin Hotel (near Shixin Peak).

- Budget-friendly: Bright Summit Lodge dormitory rooms (150-300 RMB/person, 2-minute walk to sunrise platform), Paiyun Hostel (cost-effective, public viewing platform open).

- Booking Tips: Book 3-6 months in advance during peak season; Bright Summit Lodge dormitory rooms are the most sought after!

- Accommodation at the Foot of the Mountain: Hotels in Tangkou Town (100-300 RMB/night), recommended Huanman Hotel (over 300 RMB for three days and two nights, including transfers + trekking poles).

🗺️ Classic Route Recommendations

- One-day Highlights Tour (requires good stamina):

Yungu Cableway up → Shixin Peak (view strange pines) → Lion Peak (monkeys watching the sea) → Paiyun Pavilion (entrance to West Sea Grand Canyon) → West Sea Grand Canyon (ride the popular small train) → Bright Summit (panoramic sea of clouds) → Yupinglou (Welcoming Pine) → Yuping Cableway down

- Note: Hiking trail closes after 3:00 PM; recommended to start at 6:00 AM.

- Two-day In-depth Tour (leisurely sightseeing):

- Day 1: Yungu Cableway → Shixin Peak → Black Tiger Pine → Beihai Hotel → West Sea Grand Canyon (small train uphill) → overnight near Bright Summit.

- Day 2: Watch sunrise at Bright Summit → Flying-Over Rock → Aoyu Peak → One Line Sky → Welcoming Pine → Yuping Cableway down.

- Three-day Leisure Tour (including nearby ancient villages):

- Day 1: Tunxi Old Street → Liyang In Alley (night tour).

- Day 2: Full-day Huangshan tour (same as the two-day route above).

- Day 3: Hongcun (painted village) → Xidi (Hui-style architecture) → return trip.

🌄 Must-Visit Attractions

1. Welcoming Pine: The symbol of Huangshan, best photographed early morning when fewer people are around.

2. West Sea Grand Canyon: Ride the small train through the canyon, overlooking karst landforms; autumn red leaves and mist create a fairyland.

3. Bright Summit: At 1860 meters, the second highest peak of Huangshan, the best spot for sea of clouds and sunrise viewing.

4. Flying-Over Rock: Filming location for the opening of the 1987 TV series "Dream of the Red Chamber," very atmospheric at sunset.

5. Hongcun: Ink-wash style representation of Huizhou, with Nanhu Academy and Moon Pond reflecting white walls and black tiles; autumn harvest scenes are picturesque.

📸 Photography Tips

- Sea of Clouds Photography:

- Time: After rain clears or early morning (6:30-10:30 best), use a polarizing filter to enhance layers.

- Locations: Bright Summit (panorama), Qingliang Terrace (sunset glow over sea of clouds), Paiyun Pavilion (sunset sea of clouds).

- Red Leaf Photography:

- Composition: Use strange pines and bizarre rocks as foreground, such as Black Tiger Pine at Shixin Peak paired with red leaves.

- Lighting: Side or backlighting to highlight leaf texture; soft light in early morning or late afternoon.

- Sunrise Photography:

- Equipment: Tripod + shutter release cable, use low ISO for image quality.

- Tips: Arrive 30 minutes early at Bright Summit to secure a spot; wear thick clothes to keep warm.

⚠️ Practical Tips

1. Gear Recommendations:

- Non-slip hiking shoes (many stone steps on Huangshan), windbreaker + fleece (big temperature difference between morning and night), trekking poles (save energy).

- Bring raincoat (autumn is rainy), thermos (hot water available on the mountain), high-energy snacks (like chocolate).

2. Food and Drink:

- Simple meals on the mountain are expensive (50-80 RMB/portion), recommend bringing your own snacks; after descending, try Huizhou cuisine in Tangkou Town (recommended stinky mandarin fish, fermented tofu).

3. Ticket Reservation:

- Book 1-3 days in advance via the "Huangshan Tourism Official Platform" mini program, real-name and timed entry to avoid queues.

4. Hot Springs Relaxation:

- After descending, experience Huangshan Piaoxue Hot Spring (188 RMB/person, includes 30+ pools) or Hongcun Qishu Hot Spring (newly opened, early bird ticket 39.9 RMB).

🍂 Nearby Activities

- Hongcun: Autumn harvest drying (chili peppers, corn hanging from eaves), recommended Moon Pond and Nanhu Academy.

- Xidi: Ancient village with a 50-meter giant "Corn Dragon" and Hui opera performances to experience Huizhou culture.

- Tachuan: 2 km from Hongcun, one of "China’s three great autumn sceneries," where red leaves dance with morning mist.

📅 Sample Itinerary (5 days 4 nights)

- Day 1: Arrive in Huangshan → Dinner at Tunxi Old Street.

- Day 2: One-day Huangshan tour (Yungu Cableway → Bright Summit → Yuping Cableway).

- Day 3: Full day in Hongcun → Night tour at Hongcun Moon Pond.

- Day 4: Xidi → Tachuan → Return to Huangshan city.

- Day 5: Free activities → Departure.

🎨 Huangshan Autumn Wallpaper-worthy Scenery

Attraction / Recommended Reason / Best Time to Shoot
Bright Summit Sea of Clouds / Peaks emerge mysteriously from the sea of clouds, majestic / After rain clears early morning
West Sea Grand Canyon / Red leaves contrast with canyon walls, small train ride feels like time travel / Before 10 AM
Welcoming Pine at Dawn / Morning sun shines on pine branches, layered light and shadow / 30 minutes after sunrise
Hongcun Autumn Harvest / Perfect blend of Hui-style architecture and harvest scenes / Around 4 PM

📌 Pitfall Avoidance Guide

- Don’t buy unofficial package tickets! Cable car tickets can be purchased directly via the mini program for faster on-site exchange.

- West Sea Grand Canyon small train tickets (one-way 100 RMB) must be purchased separately; it’s recommended to scan the QR code at the entrance to book in advance.

- Signal is weak on the mountain; download offline maps (like Amap) and mark key spots.

The beauty of Huangshan needs to be experienced in person! Remember to bring your camera and an adventurous heart to leave unforgettable memories in this ink-wash fairyland~ 🌄✨