"Anhui, Half Landscape, Half Poetry! A Dream of Huizhou, Ink Painting of Jiangnan"

**Anhui Travel Guide: 6 Stunning Spots + Foodie Heaven + Budget Accommodation Guide** As a seasoned traveler who has "climbed Huangshan, eaten stinky mandarin fish, and been captivated by the beauty of Hongcun" in Anhui, I declare: **Anhui is a hidden "carb paradise + landscape king"!** Here, you'll not only find the "Number One Mountain Under Heaven," but also picturesque ancient villages and irresistible, strong-flavored cuisine! --- ### **1. Huangshan—A Fantastic Journey Through the Sea of Clouds and to the Greeting Pine** **Recommended reason**: Xu Xiake, a famous traveler, certified it as "Return from the Five Great Mountains and you'll see no other mountains; return from Huangshan and you'll see no other peaks." Every photo you take here is a masterpiece! **Things to do**: - Must-see "Four Wonders of Huangshan": unique pines, grotesque rocks, the sea of clouds, and hot springs (rime can also be seen in winter). - It is recommended to ascend from the back mountain (Yungu Temple) and descend from the front mountain (Ciguang Pavilion) for a less strenuous and more impressive experience. - Accommodation at the mountaintop is expensive (standard rooms start from CNY 800), but if you want to see the sunrise, it's worth it! Alternatively, you can climb at night (for the brave). **Nearby cuisine**: - **Huangshan baked cakes** (with preserved mustard greens and lard, crispy to the point of crumbling, CNY 2/piece). - **Stinky mandarin fish** (smells strong, tastes delicious, approx. CNY 60 per person). **Humorous warning**: - Don't brag "I can reach the top in one breath" before climbing the mountain. The steps of Huangshan will teach you humility. - Make way for the porters. They might be carrying your hot pot ingredients for tonight. --- ### **2. Hongcun—Eating Hairy Tofu in an Ink Painting** **Recommended reason**: A village straight out of a Chinese painting, with white walls and black tiles reflected in the Moon Pond, so beautiful it looks Photoshopped! **Things to do**: - Get up early to photograph the South Lake in the morning mist and avoid the tour groups (free before 7am). - Eavesdrop on tour guides to hear about the feng shui metaphysics of the "ox-shaped village" (like what "matching social status" actually looks like). **Nearby cuisine**: - **Hairy tofu** (tofu with hair! Fried and dipped in chili sauce, CNY 10/serving). - **Laba tofu** (savory and chewy, perfect with porridge). **Interesting fact**: - Villagers still wash vegetables in the clothes-washing channel, but it's not recommended to follow suit—someone might be washing a mop upstream. --- ### **3. Xidi—An Even More Authentic Ancient Village Than Hongcun** **Recommended reason**: A textbook example of Hui-style architecture, less crowded and peaceful, perfect for relaxing and sketching. **Things to do**: - Find the "filial piety" stele (written by Zhu Yuanzhang). Touching it might make you more filial (to be verified). - Explore Xidi at night. When the lanterns light up, you'll be transported back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. **Foodie guide**: - **Stone-baked cakes** (pies baked under stones, fragrant, crispy, and filling, CNY 5/piece). - **Huizhou Yipin Pot** (layered with meat and vegetables, approx. CNY 40 per person). **Humorous tip**: - The thresholds of ancient houses are high. Chant "promotion and fortune" as you step over them. If you trip, it's on me. --- ### **4. Jiuhua Mountain—Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva's "Buddhist" Office** **Recommended reason**: One of the four sacred Buddhist mountains, shrouded in clouds and mist like a fairyland, super effective for making wishes! **Things to do**: - See the "incorruptible body" in the Hall of the Incorruptible Body (an unsolved scientific mystery). - Take the cable car up to the Hundred-Year-Old Palace and hike down (knee-friendly). **Nearby cuisine**: - **Vegetarian food** (CNY 20 for an all-you-can-eat meal at the temple canteen, pretending to eat meat but it's actually tofu). - **Jiuhua Huangjing Cake** (a healthy dessert, sweet but not greasy). **Advice**: - Don't ask the Bodhisattva for "overnight riches," or you might be assigned to carry goods up the mountain to fulfill your vows. --- ### **5. Xin'an River Landscape Gallery—Take a Boat Trip to See the Rapeseed Flowers** **Recommended reason**: Rapeseed flowers in spring + sun-drying in autumn, boating on the river is like traveling through a painting. **Things to do**: - A must-visit in March-April! Ancient villages and flower fields along the river will fill up your camera's memory card. - Boat tickets cost CNY 100. It is recommended to choose an open-air seat on the second floor. **Foodie surprise**: - **Shendu Baofu Dumplings** (wontons shaped like bundles, incredibly delicious). - **Shexian Loquats** (available in May, sweeter than first love). **Dry humor**: - The boatman's dialect sounds like encrypted communication. Just nod and smile. --- ### **6. Tianzhu Mountain—Anhui's Hidden "Little Huangshan"** **Recommended reason**: Less crowded and beautiful, with grotesque rocks and dangerous peaks comparable to Huangshan, and the entrance fee is only half the price! **Things to do**: - Explore the caves in "Mystery Valley" (not for the plus-sized) and see the reflections in "Alchemy Lake." - Hiking up and down takes about 5 hrs. The cable car is an option for the lazy (CNY 80/person). **Nearby cuisine**: - **Sweet potato noodles with braised pork** (sweet potato flour + pork belly, sticky and perfect with rice). - **Doumu Ancient Pottery Braised Pork** (braised in pottery, incredibly fragrant). **Real experience**: - Don't shout "I can't do it anymore" while climbing the mountain. The echo will mock you all the way. --- ### **[Budget Accommodation Guide]** - **Huangshan/Hongcun**: Hostel beds from CNY 50, standard rooms in guesthouses from CNY 150 (choose those near the village entrance for lower prices). - **Jiuhua Mountain**: Farmhouse guesthouses at the foot of the mountain from CNY 100/night. Be prepared to "splurge" if you stay on the mountain. ### **[Transportation Tips]** - Anhui's attractions are scattered. Take the high-speed train to Huangshan North/Hefei South, then transfer to a bus. - There is a bus between Hongcun and Xidi (CNY 8). Don't get ripped off by unlicensed taxis! I wish you a trip to Anhui where you: - Climb mountains without jelly legs, eat stinky mandarin fish without regrets, and take photos without needing Photoshop! (¡Vamos!)