east · Anhui (Extended) (Ānhuī)
Anhui (Extended) Travel Guide
Anhui is known for two things: the granite peaks of Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), and the whitewashed Hui-style villages of southern Anhui.
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TL;DR
Eastern province with the legendary Yellow Mountain (inspiration for Chinese landscape paintings) and two UNESCO ancient villages.
Quick facts
| Capital | Hefei |
|---|---|
| Population | 61.0 million |
| Area | 139,400 km² |
| Best season | April–May and September–November |
| Famous for | Huangshan (Yellow Mountain, UNESCO), Xidi and Hongcun (UNESCO), Huizhou merchant culture |
| UNESCO sites | 2 sites |
Why visit Anhui (Extended)
For Huangshan — the mountain that appears in countless Chinese paintings, with granite peaks, hot springs, sea-of-clouds sunrises. For Hongcun/Xidi — UNESCO villages with 500-year-old Hui architecture.
Key cities
UNESCO World Heritage sites in Anhui (Extended)
- Mount Huangshan (inscribed 1990)
- Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui (inscribed 2000)
Getting there & around
Getting there: Huangshan has its own airport (TXN) and HSR station. HSR from Shanghai: 2.5-3h.
Getting around: Huangshan city to mountain base: 1h bus. Cable cars to summit. Hongcun/Xidi are 1h by bus from Huangshan city.
Suggested itineraries
3 days — Huangshan Classic
Day 1: Arrive, drive to mountain, cable car up, stay on summit. Day 2: Sunrise, hike. Day 3: Descend, Hongcun.
5 days — Huangshan + Huizhou Villages
Day 1-2 Huangshan, Day 3-5 Hongcun, Xidi, Lucun, return.
Local cuisine
Stinky Mandarin Fish (Chòu guìyú)
Fermented mandarin fish with strong smell but delicate taste — Anhui classic
Huizhou Stinky Tofu (Huīzhōu chòu dòufu)
Black fermented tofu, fried crispy with chili sauce
Frequently asked questions
How do I see the Yellow Mountain sunrise?
Stay overnight at the summit. Wake at 4:30 AM, walk to the sunrise viewing platform. Best chances: autumn and winter.
How many days for Huangshan?
2 days minimum. 3 days is more relaxed. Add 1-2 days for the UNESCO villages.
Is Huangshan crowded?
Yes — extremely crowded on weekends and Chinese holidays. Try to visit on a weekday.