Dare to challenge the cliff plank road in the Taoist secret realm of Qiyun Mountain? A light luxury weekend micro-trip

Qiyun Mountain · Danxia Secret Realm｜A lesser-known Taoist immortal mountain that rivals Huangshan｜Hiking + Sea of Clouds + Cliff Dwelling full guide｜Travel blogger tested route｜Anhui’s hidden gem In Anhui, there is a seriously underrated immortal mountain— It has the strange peaks of Huangshan, but with less hustle and bustle; It carries the Taoist charm of Wudang, yet with a touch more earthly warmth. It is: **Qiyun Mountain** 📍 Qiyunshan Town, Xiuning County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province Not a “Little Huangshan,” But one of China’s Four Great Taoist Mountains, And the ultimate representation of the Danxia landform in southern China. As a travel blogger who just returned from hiking, I use this guide to tell you: Why Qiyun Mountain Is the most worthwhile “light luxury” niche destination around Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. 🌄 Qiyun Mountain · Core Highlights - ✅ Danxia Wonders: Red cliffs and towering stone peaks, like carved by knives and axes - ✅ Taoist Holy Land: Thousand-year-old Taoist temples, morning bells and evening drums, continuous incense - ✅ Cliff Plank Road: Walking along the cliff wall, with a thousand-foot abyss below, heart racing - ✅ Sea of Clouds and Buddha’s Light: After rain clears, waves of clouds roll like a fairyland - ✅ Niche and Quiet: Avoid Huangshan crowds, few tourists, peaceful and free - ✅ Convenient Transport: High-speed rail to [Huangshan North Station], then 1-hour transfer by bus 🗺 Suggested Itinerary: 1-day essential hiking route (suitable for day trips/weekend micro-trips) > Route type: Scenic area gate → Zhenxian Cave → Yuehua Street → Yuxu Palace → Summit Baiyun Ridge → Return > Total distance: about 6 km (loop) > Duration: 4–5 hours (including photos and breaks) > Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (moderate-low, many steps but gentle slope) 📍 First section: Mountain Gate → Zhenxian Cave (0–40 minutes) - Enter from the scenic area entrance, walk slowly up the stone steps - Ancient trees tower on both sides, streams babble - Arrive at the first stop—Zhenxian Cave: - Taoist stone grottoes on the cliff, enshrining the Eight Immortals, Lü Dongbin, and others - Deep inside the cave, incense lingers; legend says Lüzu once cultivated here > 📸 Photo spot: Platform in front of the cave, perfect for “Danxia red cliffs + silhouette” 📍 Second section: Zhenxian Cave → Yuehua Street (40–80 minutes) - Continue forward to Yuehua Street— - An ancient street hanging on the mountainside, called the “Heavenly Market” - On both sides are Ming and Qing style Taoist temples, inns, and tea houses - Take a break, drink a cup of Qiyun Mountain wild tea, listen to Taoist priests talk about health preservation > ✅ Recommended experiences: > - Draw a Taoist fortune stick at “Taisu Palace” (free) > - Taste Taoist vegetarian dishes (25 RMB/serving, light and healthy) 📍 Third section: Yuehua Street → Yuxu Palace → Baiyun Ridge (80–180 minutes) - Climb higher into the core scenic area: Yuxu Palace - The largest Taoist temple on Qiyun Mountain, red walls and black tiles, majestic - The front plaza overlooks the valley; on clear days, the sea of clouds surges - From Yuxu Palace, challenge the Baiyun Ridge plank road: - 800 meters long, built along the Danxia cliff - Narrow sections fit only one person, with a hundred-meter deep valley below - Along the way are thrilling spots like “Flying Centipede Cliff” and “One Line Sky” > ⚠️ Note: Not recommended for those afraid of heights! But the handrails are sturdy and safe - Reach the highest peak, Baiyun Ridge (elevation 585 meters) - Panoramic views of peaks like a sea, Danxia red cliffs interwoven with green forests - If you encounter the sea of clouds, it feels like being in the fairyland of Penglai 📍 Fourth section: Descend → Return - Return the same way or take the eastern route down (more gentle) - Before leaving the scenic area, visit Xiaohutian: a miniature grotto garden, exquisite like a bonsai 🕯 Extended activities (for deep travelers) | Activity | Details | Cost | Tips | |----------|---------|------|------| | Taoist temple overnight stay | Stay at a Taoist temple inn on Yuehua Street, hear morning bells and evening drums | 200–300 RMB/night | Reservation required | | Tai Chi morning exercise | Practice Tai Chi with Taoist priests early morning | Free | Starts at 6:30, Yuxu Palace front plaza | | Cliff photography | Plank road + sea of clouds + Danxia, great photo spots | Free | Recommend wide-angle lens + tripod | | Taoist blessing | Request a peace talisman or join a ritual | 50–100 RMB | Sincerity is key | 💰 Cost reference (per person) | Item | Cost | |-------|------| | Entrance ticket | 80 RMB (includes cable car down ticket) | | Transport | Huangshan North Station → Qiyun Mountain bus/ride share 40 RMB round trip | | Lunch | Taoist vegetarian meal 25 RMB | | Accommodation | Taoist temple inn 250 RMB (optional) | | Total | About 150 RMB and up (one-day trip) | 📸 Photo guide - Best time: 6:00–8:00 AM (sea of clouds + light and shadow) - Outfit suggestion: Plain robes, Hanfu, Zen style to match the ancient temples - Recommended spots: - Yuehua Street overlooking the “Heavenly Market” - Baiyun Ridge plank road “cliff walk” silhouette - Yuxu Palace red wall corner “light and shadow doorway” 🌿 Travel blogger’s whisper Standing on Baiyun Ridge, The wind blows from the valley, Clouds flow beneath my feet, I suddenly understand: Taoism’s “wu wei” (non-action) is not lying flat, But being still like a mountain, moving like a cloud. Qiyun Mountain does not compete, Yet it stands majestic; It does not speak, But with Danxia and Taoist sounds, It tells the story of a thousand years of cultivation. - If you are tired of check-in style tourism, Come to Qiyun Mountain. Walk a stretch of cliff plank road, Drink a cup of mountain tea, And let your soul Reach a summit too. 📌 Practical information: - Navigation: “Qiyunshan Scenic Area” (Xiuning County) - High-speed rail: to [Huangshan North Station] → transfer to “Qiyunshan Tourism Express” bus (every 30 minutes) - Phone: Scenic area inquiry 0559-757 9999 - Opening hours: 7:00–17:00 (until 16:30 in winter)