Huangshan: Sunrise, Sea of Clouds, Oddly-shaped Pines, Grotesque Rocks, and Hot Springs – The Four Wonders

🔥 Huangshan 3-Day 2-Night Classic Itinerary ✅ Core Concept: Stay on the mountaintop to witness the sunrise and sea of clouds, follow classic routes, ascend lightly, avoid peak times for ascent/descent, and experience a million-dollar trip on a thousand-dollar budget! 🏔 Huangshan: "It's not about climbing in the dark at dawn, but sleeping among the clouds, awaiting a miracle at daybreak." ✅ Itinerary Summary: Day, Accommodation, Highlights Day 1: Arrive at Huangshan → Tangkou Town → Ascend via Yungu Temple → White Goose Ridge → Beihai/Xihai Huangshan Mountaintop Economy Hotel. Ascend in the afternoon to avoid crowds and reach the summit easily. Day 2: Watch the sunrise in the early morning → West Sea Grand Canyon → Bright Summit → Guest-Greeting Pine → Yuping Tower. Follow the most essential route and photograph the sea of clouds and oddly-shaped pines. Day 3: Descend via Yuping Cableway → Ciguang Pavilion → Return. Easy descent by cable car. 💰 Budget Breakdown Round-trip Transportation (High-speed rail/bullet train + scenic area bus) ¥600. If departing from Shanghai/Hangzhou/Nanjing, round-trip second-class high-speed rail is approximately ¥300/person. Tickets + Cableway + Scenic Area Shuttle ¥780. Entrance Ticket ¥190/person, Yungu Cableway ¥80/person (up), Yuping Cableway ¥90/person (down), Scenic Area Shuttle Bus ¥38/person. Accommodation (1 night on mountaintop + 1 night in Tangkou) ¥600. Mountaintop Economy Room ¥400 (standard room for 2), Tangkou Guesthouse ¥200. Meals (3 days) ¥400. Simple meals + instant noodles + mountaintop bento boxes, ¥65/person/day. Others (Hot water/Souvenirs/Contingency) ¥100. Thermos for hot water, small snacks, emergency medicine. Estimated total: ¥2480. Approximately ¥1250 per person.💡 If departing from Hefei/Hangzhou, the budget is around ¥2200. 📅 Detailed Itinerary 🌞 Day 1: Afternoon Ascent · Avoid Peak Times, Stay Among the Clouds Morning: Arrive at [Huangshan North Station] by high-speed rail. After exiting, take the [Scenic Area Shuttle Bus] directly to [Tangkou Town] (¥20/person, 30 minutes). Noon: Lunch in Tangkou Town: Recommended [Huizhou Hairy Tofu] + [Bamboo Shoot with Braised Pork] (approx. ¥35/person). Afternoon 13:30 Ascent (Crucial to avoid morning rush hour): Take the scenic shuttle bus to the [Yungu Temple] entrance (¥19/person). Take the [Yungu Cableway] up the mountain (¥80/person, 7 minutes, saves effort). After exiting the cableway, walk to [White Goose Ridge] → [Beihai Hotel] area (approx. 40 minutes). Evening: Arrive at the mountaintop hotel before 17:30: By this time, tourists have already descended, so it's not crowded, and you can capture the sunset casting light on the oddly-shaped pines and grotesque rocks. Recommended accommodations: [Huangshan Baiyun Hotel] or [Xihai Hotel Economy Room] (¥400/night, includes basic heating, book in advance).💡 Rooms on the mountaintop are limited; be sure to book 2 days in advance during peak season. Dinner: Simple meal at a mountaintop restaurant (bento box ¥45/portion) or instant noodles (¥15, popular "Huangshan Instant Noodles" for a photo op). It's recommended to bring your own chocolate and nuts for energy. ✅ Bring a thick coat. The temperature at night on the mountaintop is around 5℃, and it's windy. 🌞 Day 2: Sunrise and Sea of Clouds · West Sea Grand Canyon + Guest-Greeting Pine Check-in Early morning 5:00-5:30 wake-up (adjust according to season): Head to [Danxia Peak] or [Shizi Peak] to watch the sunrise (Beihai area is best). If the weather is good, you can see the sea of clouds surging, golden light breaking through, and peaks resembling floating islands. Morning: Visit [West Sea Grand Canyon] (a must-see, the most breathtaking section of Huangshan). Walk down the valley (First Ring → Second Ring → Third Ring). The plank road is built along the cliff, like a sky road. You can take the [Ground Cable Car] out of the valley (¥100/person, saves effort) or return the same way. Ascend [Bright Summit] (elevation 1860 meters, Huangshan's second highest peak) for panoramic views. Pass through [Flying-over Rock] → [Hundred-Step Ladder] → [Aoyu Peak] → [Guest-Greeting Pine] (Huangshan's symbol). Noon: Simple meal near Yuping Tower (vegetarian bun ¥5/each, bento box ¥45). Afternoon: Take the [Yuping Cableway] down the mountain (¥90/person, 8 minutes direct to the foot of the mountain). Take the scenic shuttle bus back to [Ciguang Pavilion] → Tangkou Town (¥19/person). Evening: Check into a guesthouse in Tangkou Town (¥200/night, clean and comfortable, with showers available). Have dinner with [Huizhou Stinky Mandarin Fish] + [Stone Ear Mushroom Stewed Chicken] (approx. ¥60/person). 🌞 Day 3: Tangkou Rest + Return Morning: Sleep in naturally. You can visit [Hongcun] or [Chengkan] (if time permits, add ¥100/person for tickets). Or buy some local specialties in Tangkou: Huangshan Sesame Cake, Maofeng Tea, Dried Bamboo Shoots. Noon: After lunch in Tangkou, take the bus back to [Huangshan North Station]. Afternoon: High-speed rail return. A journey of the "Four Wonders": Oddly-shaped Pines, Grotesque Rocks, Sea of Clouds, and Hot Springs. 🎒 Essential Items for Climbing Warm Outerwear: Fleece or light down jacket, as it's cold on the mountaintop in the morning and evening. Comfortable Hiking Shoes: Non-slip! Many stone steps, don't wear new shoes. Hiking Pole: Optional, saves effort when descending (bamboo poles can be bought for ¥10 at the foot of the mountain). Headlamp/Phone Light: If getting up early for sunrise or walking at night. Thermos: For hot water, instant noodles/tea, eco-friendly and saves money. Small Snacks: Chocolate, energy bars, beef jerky (expensive on the mountain). Camera/Phone: Sunrise and sea of clouds are too beautiful, you must take photos! Recommended to bring a tripod. 🌟 Highlights ✅ No Night Travel: Ascend in the afternoon, say goodbye to the "climbing in the dark at dawn" nightmare. ✅ Uncrowded Sunrise: Stay on the mountaintop in advance to secure the best viewing spot. ✅ Essential Route: West Sea Grand Canyon + Bright Summit + Guest-Greeting Pine, all covered. ✅ Easy Descent: Yuping Cableway + scenic shuttle bus, knee-friendly. ✅ Controllable Food & Accommodation: Enjoy Huizhou cuisine at the foot of the mountain, light meals on the mountain, no wasted money. Veteran Traveler's Secret Tips 1. Best Season: April-May: Spring blossoms, rhododendrons in full bloom. September-October: Crisp autumn air, high probability of sea of clouds. December-February: Stunning snowscapes, like an ink painting (be careful of slipping). 2. Avoid Pitfalls: Don't trust "black guides" soliciting customers. Bottled water on the mountain costs ¥5-8/bottle; it's recommended to buy more at the foot of the mountain. Some sections of the West Sea Grand Canyon are steep; those with acrophobia should be cautious. 3. Hidden Gems: Bright Summit at 6 AM, with the sea of clouds rolling like waves. The "Dream Pen Blooming" rock near Beihai Hotel is perfect for photos. Instant noodles + hot tea on the mountaintop, eating while enjoying the scenery, full of ritual. 4. Photography Tips: Use a wide-angle lens for the sea of clouds at sunrise. Use a telephoto lens for the Guest-Greeting Pine to compress the background. Take silhouette photos of people in the West Sea Grand Canyon. 📣 "Many people say Huangshan makes you 'tired as a dog,' but only by trying it will you know. When you stand on Bright Summit and see the sea of clouds surging beneath your feet, at that moment, all fatigue turns into pride! For less than ¥2500, I took her on her first peak journey outside the Five Great Mountains. Follow me, next stop, we're going to Wugong Mountain to see the vast alpine meadows." ✅ Gaode Map marked route (including cableway stations + check-in points)🎥⛰️📸 Along the way, strange peaks accompany you, looking up is the sea of clouds, looking down is the abyss, and in your heart is awe. After returning from the Five Great Mountains, you won't look at other mountains; after returning from Huangshan, you won't look at other peaks!🌄✨