Huangshan Hongcun, Anhui | 3-Day Qingming Travel Guide

| 3-Day Qingming Travel Guide. Embark on a cultural journey through millennia in Huizhou, where the majestic Huangshan Mountain to the north meets the serene Qiandao Lake to the south, with the Xin'an River meandering through. The picturesque natural scenery blends harmoniously with profound cultural heritage. ➡️Hongcun, not far from the Huangshan Scenic Area, is known as "the village in Chinese paintings." This ancient village, dating back to the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty, is famed for its unique ox-shaped water system and Hui-style architecture. ➡️The Huangshan Scenic Area is renowned worldwide for its peculiar pines, grotesque rocks, sea of clouds, sunrise, and winter snowscapes, earning the title "the most spectacular mountain under heaven." Xu Xiake once praised, "After visiting the Five Great Mountains, no other mountains are worth seeing; after visiting Huangshan, even the Five Great Mountains pale in comparison." 🚇Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Yixian East Station. Discounted tickets are available for Xidi and Hongcun! ✅Day 1 🔸Arrive at Yixian East Station around 10 AM. Tourist shuttles are conveniently available right outside the station, reaching Xidi Ancient Village in just over ten minutes. 🔸Xidi is quite small and can be explored in about an hour. There are cheongsam shops to browse, and it's a great spot for photos. 🔸Around 3 PM, take the tourist bus from Xidi to Hongcun (about 30 minutes). Hongcun is much more crowded than Xidi, so the experience can be average. Staying overnight in Hongcun is recommended—the courtyard accommodations are lovely, with mountains right outside your door. ✅Day 2 🔸Wake up at 5:30 AM to head to Huangshan. Hongcun at dawn around 6 AM is truly beautiful—it’s best enjoyed when fewer people are around. 🔸Shared taxis from Hongcun cost 30 RMB/person and take about an hour to reach the base of Huangshan. It’s advisable to start your hike as early as possible during holidays. 💰Essential Costs for Huangshan: 🔸Entrance fee: 190 RMB (half-price discounts available for active military family members!) 🔸Shuttle bus to the cable car: 19 RMB/one-way, 38 RMB/round-trip per person. 🔸Cable car ticket: 90 RMB/one-way. I chose to take the cable car up and hike down. ✅Hiking Route It’s recommended to ascend via the front mountain (Yuping Cable Car—Ciguangge direction) and descend via the back mountain (Yungu Temple Cable Car). The front mountain is steeper but features more stunning sights like the Welcoming Pine, One-Line Sky, and Xihai Grand Canyon—these spots often have long queues. Starting from the front allows you to dedicate most of your energy to the best views. After passing Bright Summit, the back mountain is more relaxed for strolling and snacking before hiking down. ✅Food and Drinks on the Mountain Avoid carrying too much—it’s exhausting. Two bottles of water should suffice. Free water refill stations are available at tourist centers, especially around Bright Summit where the terrain levels out.