The Forgotten Qiyun Mountain by the World

It was once thought that the beauty of Huangshan was unmatched among all peaks, until I stepped into that secret realm gently preserved by time—Qiyun Mountain, and truly understood what it means to be "a great hermit hidden in the city." Qiyun Mountain does not boast of bustling crowds but quietly guards a sense of tranquility and serenity, as if nature has specially reserved this pure land for travelers seeking a spiritual refuge. The mountain is shrouded in mist, appearing and disappearing like a shy maiden lightly brushing her veil, inviting endless imagination. The streams babble clearly, reflecting the rugged rocks, each step in tune with nature’s rhythm, refreshing the mind and making one forget the worldly noise. Basic Information - Ticket: 68 RMB, 58 RMB if booked online one day in advance. - Cableway: Round trip 60 RMB. - Opening Hours: Usually 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, subject to the scenic area’s announcement. Transportation Guide - External Transport: After taking the high-speed train to Huangshan North Station, you can take a taxi for about 40 minutes directly to the scenic area, costing around 80 RMB; or take Bus No. 1 from the bus station next to Huangshan North Station directly to the area, fare 5 RMB. - Internal Transport: For hiking, you can choose the “Banling Trailhead,” passing through Xiake Ancient Trail to Wangxian Tower ticket checkpoint, which reduces about 400 meters of climbing. Must-Visit Attractions - Yuehua Tianjie: An ancient Huizhou village on a cliff, aerial shots look like it’s floating in the clouds. - Zhenxian Cave Residence: Features cliff inscriptions and natural caves; the inscription “Heaven’s Creation, Divine Beauty” is worth seeing. - Yuxu Palace: Red walls and black tiles with incense smoke make it an excellent spot for Hanfu photography. - Fangla Village: The summit has a 270° viewing platform; during the sea of clouds season, it’s recommended to arrive before 6:30 AM. Food Recommendations - Yuehua Street Farmhouse Cuisine: Dishes like braised dried bamboo shoots with pork and Wucheng tea tofu are worth trying, about 50 RMB per person. - Xiangfu Yun Hotel: The stinky mandarin fish tastes fresh and pairs excellently with preserved vegetable crispy rice. - Qiyun Town: Offers four flavors of tart rice cakes, especially recommended is the one with Chinese toon and wild bamboo shoot filling. Accommodation Guide - Xiangyuan Qiyun Mountain Resort Hotel: Features an infinity pool and private hot springs, suitable for quality-seeking travelers. - Free Home Treehouse World: Has a starry dome and forest slide, a great place for family trips. - Yuehua Street Youth Hostel: Bed prices around 30 RMB, with windows overlooking the sea of clouds, ideal for backpackers. In-Depth Experience - Taoist Culture Experience: Free Tai Chi lessons daily at 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM in front of Zhenwu Hall; on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month, you can participate in Taoist rituals. - Photography Routes: On the first day, visit Wangxian Tower, Mengzhen Bridge, Shouzi Rock, and Zhenxian Cave Residence to capture the sunset; on the second day, go to Yuxu Palace, Xiaohutian, and Fangla Village to photograph the sea of clouds, then experience bamboo rafting on the Hengjiang River.