Guniujiang Travel Guide

Here's your Guniujiang 🏞️ travel guide! 🎉 📍Location: Guniujiang Scenic Area is located at the junction of Shitai County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province and Qimen County, Huangshan City. It is the main westward extension of the Huangshan Mountains and was anciently known as "West Huangshan" ⛰️. 🚗Transportation: • High-speed Rail 🚅: Get off at Chizhou Station, then transfer to a Shitai County bus (approx. 1.5 hrs). You can then take a chartered car to the scenic area (carpooling is recommended, approx. CNY 30 per person). • Self-driving 🚗: Take the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway and get off at the Lingyang exit. Then follow Provincial Road 221 (note that there are many curves on the mountain road. A four-wheel drive vehicle + snow chains are recommended). 🏞️Tour Route: • Day 1: Natural Wonders Route 🌄 • Morning: Scenic Area Entrance → Longmen Lake (the reflection in the emerald lake is stunning!) → Shuanniu Rock → Four-tiered Waterfall (the frozen waterfall in winter is spectacular) 📸. • Lunch: Enjoy local specialties at a farmhouse restaurant in the scenic area, such as stewed chicken with stone ear mushrooms 🍲. • Afternoon: Yanjia Ancient Village → Yuanyang Lake → Bamboo Forest Plank Road (a great place to take photos in Hanfu) 👗. • Day 2: Main Peak Challenge Route 🏔️ • Take the cable car up the mountain early in the morning (CNY 60 one way) to watch the sunrise 🌅. There's a high chance of seeing a sea of clouds! • Morning: Hike the main peak loop → Mystery Valley (the birthplace of cave light and shadow photography) 🎬. • Afternoon: Visit Lingshan Scenic Area → Shuanglong Valley (a must-visit for stream trekking enthusiasts) → Return 🏃‍♂️. 🍴Food: • Shitai Yipinguo 🍲: A traditional local dish with rich ingredients and a thick soup. • Huangshan Sesame Seed Cakes 🥮: A local snack with a crispy crust and a soft interior. • Guniujiang Farmhouse Dishes 🥗: Authentic farmhouse cuisine, such as chicken soup and braised pork. 🏨Accommodation: • Julong Hotel 🏨: A five-star luxury hotel with a tranquil environment and beautiful scenery, but the price is relatively high. • Homestays 🏠: There are many homestays to choose from in the scenic area or opposite the ticket office. The prices are relatively affordable, and they are very close to the scenic area, which is very convenient. 💡Tips: • Tickets are CNY 100 (half price for students, free for soldiers/journalists) 🎟️. • It is recommended to bring ice cleats + trekking poles (the stone steps are very slippery when icy! You can rent them in the scenic area) and safety equipment 🎒. • Entry to the mountain is prohibited after 16:30 in winter 🚫, so don't miss the time! Hope this guide will make your trip to Guniujiang more enjoyable and memorable! 😊