Huangshan is incredibly beautiful, but I honestly don’t recommend going in August because...........

Huangshan offers stunning scenery all year round, with sea of clouds and pine waves painting a picture — In-depth travel guide to Huangshan (including cost guide) Huangshan, praised by Xu Xiake as "After visiting the Five Great Mountains, you don’t look at other mountains; after visiting Huangshan, you don’t look at other peaks," is famous worldwide for its "Five Wonders": unique pines, strange rocks, sea of clouds, hot springs, and winter snow. Whether you are a photography enthusiast, hiking expert, or family traveler, Huangshan can fulfill all your imaginations of mountains and waters. Below is a practical guide covering transportation, accommodation, tickets, and dining to help you plan your trip efficiently. 1. Preparation: Budget and Season Choice Huangshan has unique features in every season: enjoy azaleas in spring, escape the heat in summer, admire maple leaves in autumn, and see rime ice in winter. The recommended travel months are April to June or September to November, with clear weather, less rain, and a high chance of sea of clouds. For snow scenes, December to February is best, but be cautious of slippery conditions. Budget reference (per person for 2 days 1 night): - Budget: 800-1200 RMB (hostel/foot of the mountain accommodation + public transport + self-prepared food) - Comfortable: 1500-2000 RMB (four-star hotel + cable car + specialty dining) - Luxury: over 3000 RMB (mountain-top hotel + private car transfer + personal guide) 2. Transportation Guide: How to Get to Huangshan 1. External Transport - Airplane: Huangshan Tunxi International Airport (about 1 hour drive from the scenic area), limited direct flights; it’s recommended to transfer via Hefei (Xinqiao Airport) by high-speed train (about 1.5 hours) or bus (3 hours). - High-speed train: Huangshan North Station is the main hub, with direct trains from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, etc. After arrival, take the tourist shuttle bus (30 RMB/person) or ride-hailing car (about 150 RMB) to Tangkou Town (South Gate of Huangshan). - Self-driving: About 4 hours from Hefei, 3.5 hours from Hangzhou; parking fee at the scenic area is about 50 RMB/day. 2. Internal Transport - Scenic area shuttle bus: From Tangkou Town transfer center to Yungu Temple/Ciguang Pavilion (front mountain/back mountain cable car stations), one-way 19 RMB, ticket purchase required (private cars cannot reach cable car entrances). - Cable cars: Yungu Cable Car (back mountain): 80 RMB one-way, 10 minutes direct to Bai’e Ridge. Yuping Cable Car (front mountain): 90 RMB one-way, 8 minutes direct to Guest-Greeting Pine. - West Sea Grand Canyon rail: 100 RMB one-way (popular “little train,” recommended for downhill rides). - Walking: For those with good stamina, full hiking is an option; from Yungu Temple to Bright Summit about 6 hours, from Ciguang Pavilion to Bright Summit about 5 hours. 3. Tickets and Cable Car Fees - Scenic area ticket: 190 RMB/person (peak season), 150 RMB (off-season, December to February). - Discounts: Half price for students and seniors aged 60-65; free for seniors over 65 (with ID). - Recommended combo ticket: Entrance + Yungu Cable Car + Yuping Cable Car about 380 RMB (often discounted online). 4. Accommodation Recommendations: Mountain Top vs. Foot of the Mountain 1. Mountain Top Accommodation (best for sunrise viewing) - Baiyun Hotel: Standard room about 1200-1800 RMB/night, located below Bright Summit, 15-minute walk to sunrise viewing spot. - Paiyun-type hotel: Newly renovated design hotel, about 1000-1500 RMB, near West Sea Grand Canyon. - Dorm beds: 200-400 RMB/person (separate male/female dorms, shared bathrooms), book at least 1 month in advance during peak season. 2. Foot of the Mountain Accommodation (cost-effective choice) - Tangkou Town: Chain hotels like All Season, Atour about 400-600 RMB/night, 10-minute walk to transfer center. - Specialty homestays: Huangshan Yunji, Shanyu Homestay, etc., priced 600-1000 RMB, with shuttle service. - Budget options: Hostel beds 80-120 RMB/night, or homestays around Hongcun/Xidi villages (about 200-400 RMB). 5. Classic 2-Day Route Plan Day 1: Take Yungu Cable Car (back mountain) → Shixin Peak → Black Tiger Pine → Lion Peak → Bright Summit (sunset) - Morning: Take Yungu Cable Car up, visit Shixin Peak (concentrated area of unique pines like Black Tiger Pine, Twin Pines). - Noon: Lunch at Shilin Hotel (80-100 RMB/person, recommended bamboo shoot braised pork). - Afternoon: Head to Lion Peak to watch monkeys and sea views, then go to Bright Summit for sunset. - Overnight: Baiyun Hotel or dormitory. Day 2: Bright Summit (sunrise) → Aoyu Peak → Guest-Greeting Pine → Take Yuping Cable Car down - Early morning: Watch sunrise at Bright Summit or Aoyu Peak (check weather in advance). - Morning: Pass through Aoyu Cave, reach Yuping Building to see Guest-Greeting Pine, optionally take Yuping Cable Car down. - Afternoon: If energetic, hike down to Ciguang Pavilion (about 3 hours), enjoy Half-Mountain Temple and Tiandu Peak (currently closed for maintenance). Alternative route (West Sea Grand Canyon loop): Suitable for strong hikers, enter from Paiyun Pavilion, pass Loop 1 and Loop 2 to the valley bottom, take rail to Tianhai Station; takes 4-5 hours. This route is steep but offers breathtaking scenery, with the sea of clouds creating a fairyland atmosphere. 6. Dining Guide: Mountain Delicacies and Pitfall Avoidance - Mountain top dining: Buffet: Baiyun Hotel dinner buffet about 160 RMB/person, limited variety but filling. Simple meals: Corn 10 RMB/ear, grilled sausage 8 RMB/stick; bringing your own chocolate and beef jerky is more cost-effective. - Foot of the mountain specialties: Must-try dishes: Stinky Mandarin Fish (128-168 RMB/portion), Mao Tofu (30-50 RMB), Huangshan Double Stone (stone chicken stewed with stone ear mushrooms, 188 RMB). Recommended restaurants: “Old Neighborhood Hui Cuisine” in Tangkou Town, about 80 RMB/person; “Deyue Building” in Hongcun, about 100 RMB/person. Tips: Free mountain spring water is available, but bottled water (5-10 RMB/bottle) is recommended. 7. Practical Tips: Save Time and Effort - Travel light: Large temperature difference on the mountain; bring sun protection clothing in summer, down jacket + crampons in winter. - Avoid peak times: Cable car queues exceed 1 hour on weekends and holidays; arrive at transfer center before 7:30 AM. - Essentials: Trekking poles (wooden sticks at foot of mountain 5 RMB each), raincoat (20 RMB each), power bank (no shared charging on mountain). - Safety tips: Some parts of West Sea Grand Canyon have no guardrails; be cautious in rain; do not approach cliffs when taking photos. - Free resources: Official scenic area app offers real-time sea of clouds forecast and audio guides. 8. Nearby Combined Activities - Hongcun + Xidi: Take bus from Huangshan North Station to Hongcun (1.5 hours, 30 RMB), ticket 94 RMB (85 RMB online), recommended to stay 1 night to enjoy ink-wash night scenes. - Huizhou Ancient City: Shexian Ancient City is 1 hour drive from Huangshan, free admission, great for culture lovers. - Xin’an River Landscape Gallery: In spring when rapeseed flowers bloom, take a boat tour (128 RMB) to admire Huizhou-style architecture on both banks. Conclusion The beauty of Huangshan lies in "a view at every step, amazement at every turn." Whether challenging the steep Tiandu Peak or quietly waiting for sunrise at Bright Summit, this mountain always moves the soul in its own way. With reasonable planning and budget control, you can also enjoy an unforgettable feast of mountains and waters in the most economical way.