5-Day Huangshan & the Huizhou Villages: Yellow Mountains, Hongcun & Xidi

Morning — Arrival in Huangshan
Fly into Huangshan Tunxi International Airport or arrive via high-speed train at Huangshan North Station, then transfer to Tangkou Town (about a one-hour drive), the gateway to the mountain. Your guide assists with hotel check-in and a brief orientation.

Afternoon — Hongcun Ancient Village
Visit Hongcun, a UNESCO-listed village of Ming–Qing architecture famed for its tranquil canals and the reflective Moon Pond. Its Hui-style houses and carved ancestral halls gained fame through the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Wander the cobblestone lanes to appreciate traditional design.

Evening — Hui Cuisine
In the evening, dine on Hui-style dishes such as stinky mandarin fish (fermented fish), hairy tofu, or bamboo shoots with ham, paired with local Huangshan Maofeng green tea.

Morning — Eastern Steps Hike
Take a shuttle to the Yungu Temple cable car and ascend to Begin-to-Believe Peak, the gateway to Huangshan's eastern ridges. Hike among twisted pines and granite summits above a sea of clouds, passing Lion Peak, Monkey Gazing at the Sea, and Dawn Pavilion. Your guide sets a pace suited to the group.

Lunch — Mountain-Top Meal
Enjoy a simple lunch at a summit restaurant; options are limited, so packing snacks is wise.

Afternoon — Western Sea Grand Canyon
Descend into the dramatic Western Sea Grand Canyon, a vast valley with cliffside trails and panoramic viewpoints. For a thrilling shortcut, ride the small Cloud Tram monorail or hike the steep “Fairy Walking Bridge” path.

Evening — Sunset at Bright Top
Check into a mountain-top hotel such as Beihai or Xihai, then catch the sunset from Bright Top Peak, Huangshan's second-highest point, with 360-degree vistas of mist-swirled peaks.

Early Morning — Sunrise
Wake before dawn to hike to Refreshing Terrace or Lion Peak for a magical Huangshan sunrise, as the first light catches the granite peaks and a sea of clouds. This is the quintessential Huangshan moment photographers chase.

Morning — Summit Hike
Choose a climb up Celestial Capital Peak, the mountain's steepest summit (periodically closed for conservation), or visit the 1,000-year-old Welcoming Guest Pine, a symbol of Huangshan hospitality, and descend by the Jade Screen Cable Car.

Afternoon — Huangshan Hot Springs
After descending, soothe tired muscles at the Huangshan Hot Springs, fed by natural geothermal sources at the mountain's base, with public pools or private spa options.

Evening — Departure
In the evening, return to Tunxi Airport or Huangshan North Station for your onward journey.

Morning — Qinghefang Street & Huqingyu Tang
Explore historic Qinghefang (Hefang) Street after breakfast, where traditional crafts such as sugar-blowing, paper-cutting, and dough figurines are demonstrated by local artisans. A highlight is Huqingyu Tang, a long-standing Chinese medicine pharmacy and museum that offers insight into Hangzhou's medical heritage and the traditional pharmaceutical process. You can learn the basics of Chinese herbal medicine here.

Afternoon — Meijiawu Tea Village
Meijiawu is one of Hangzhou's most important Longjing (Dragon Well) green-tea production villages, celebrated for its tea tradition. You'll learn about tea history and processing, join farmers to pick leaves and dry them into green tea, and take part in a traditional tea ceremony — even enjoying a lunch of tea-flavored dishes.

Evening — At Your Leisure
The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure — you may rest at the hotel or explore the nearby surroundings on your own.

Morning — Yellow Mountains Exploration
You'll spend the day and night on the Yellow Mountains (Huangshan), beginning with a round-trip ride on the Yungu Cable Car — soak in the views during the 10-minute ascent. After a short walk to your mountaintop hotel, spot the Umbrella Pine and Black Tiger Pine along the way. After a buffet lunch, hike the West Sea Grand Canyon for over three hours, exploring its rings and canyon floor; if energy allows, visit Flying-over Rock and watch the sunset at Bright Top.

Evening — Overnight on the Mountain
Spend the night at the hotel atop the mountain, with dinner served at the hotel, so you can rest surrounded by the peaks. (Pack lightly — your guide can store larger luggage at your Tunxi hotel or at the mountain base for a small fee.)