Anhui
Eastern China's mountain province, home to the legendary Yellow Mountain (inspiration for countless Chinese paintings) and two UNESCO ancient villages, Xidi and Hongcun.
provinces2026-10-27
At a glance
- Region
- east
- Capital
- Hefei
- Population
- 61.0 million
- Area
- 139,400 km²
- Best season
- April–May and September–November (avoid holidays)
- Pinyin
- Ānhuī
- Country
- CN
- Signature cuisine
- Stinky Mandarin Fish
Why visit
For Huangshan — the mountain that appears in countless Chinese paintings, with granite peaks, hot springs, sea-of-clouds sunrises, and pine trees growing out of rock. For Hongcun/Xidi — UNESCO villages with 500-year-old Hui architecture.
Getting there
Huangshan has its own airport (TXN) and HSR station. HSR from Shanghai: 2.5-3 hours. HSR from Hangzhou: 1.5 hours.
Getting around
Once in Huangshan, you can hike or take cable cars. Hongcun and Xidi are 1 hour by bus from Huangshan city.
UNESCO sites
Day by day
3 — Huangshan Classic
Day 1: Arrive Huangshan city, drive to the mountain, take cable car up, stay on summit. Day 2: Sunrise, hike, stay another night or descend. Day 3: Hongcun or Xidi ancient village.
5 — Huangshan + Huizhou Villages
Day 1-2: Huangshan. Day 3: Hongcun. Day 4: Xidi + Lucun village. Day 5: Return.
Famous for
- Yellow Mountain (Huangshan)
- Hongcun & Xidi ancient villages
- Huizhou merchant culture
FAQs
How do I see the Yellow Mountain sunrise?
Stay overnight at the summit (multiple hotel options). Wake at 4:30 AM, walk or take the early cable car to the sunrise viewing platform. Best chances: autumn and winter mornings. Bring warm clothes — even in May, summit temperatures drop to 5-10°C.
How many days for Huangshan?
2 days minimum: up one day, down the next. 3 days is more relaxed. Add 1-2 days for the UNESCO villages. The mountain is one of the most-visited in China, so weekday visits are better.
Is Huangshan crowded?
Yes — extremely crowded on weekends and Chinese holidays. Try to visit on a weekday. The cable car queues can be 1-2 hours on peak days. Early morning (before 9 AM) is quieter.
What is the difference between Hongcun and Xidi?
Hongcun (宏村) is larger, more spread out, with the famous "Moon Lake" crescent pond. Xidi (西递) is more compact, with a long main street of well-preserved Hui mansions. Both are UNESCO. 1 day is enough to see both.
Do I need hiking experience for Huangshan?
No — the cable cars make it accessible to anyone. The main hiking trails (West Sea Grand Canyon) require 4-5 hours of stairs and steep steps. Average fitness is enough.
When is Yellow Mountain best?
April-May (flowers, fresh green) and September-November (autumn colors, fewer crowds than spring). Winter offers snow scenes but is brutally cold. Avoid Chinese national holidays at all costs.