黄山宏村
Best season
April–June and September–November (seas of clouds are most visible after rain)
Region
East China
Private journeys
3 itinerary options
Coordinates
29.71° N, 118.34° E
'After seeing the Five Great Mountains, one need not see other mountains. After seeing Yellow Mountain, one need not see the Five Great Mountains.' This saying by Xu Xiake establishes Yellow Mountain as the benchmark of Chinese mountain aesthetics: beyond its Four Wonders of fantastical pines, grotesque rocks, seas of clouds, and hot springs, the valley-bottom plank walk of the Western Sea Grand Canyon turns 'peril' into a spectacle. Stay overnight at a mountain-top hotel, and sunrise and sunset become your private show.
Down below, Huizhou offers another masterpiece: Hongcun Village was designed in the shape of an ox, with Moon Pond and South Lake mirroring the white walls and dark tiles in scenes reminiscent of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.' Tunxi Old Street preserves the heritage of the Four Treasures of the Study, while a Huizhou cooking class reveals the paradox of 'stinky' mandarin fish—aromatic when eaten. Four days are perfect for exploring mountains, villages, scenery, and flavors.
1Yellow Mountain's most precipitous and awe-inspiring canyon, where plank roads spiral down vertical cliffs to the valley floor. When clouds and mist churn beneath your feet, you'll feel as if in a fairyland. For those with limited energy, the popular 'railway' cart provides a direct return to the summit, making the two-hour loop the choice for most visitors.
2Yellow Mountain's second-highest peak at 1,860 meters, this flat-topped plateau divides the front and back mountains. Its white meteorological sphere is a landmark. From here, sunrise, seas of clouds, and the Flying-over Rock are all visible at once. It's the morning meeting point for hotel guests, especially spectacular in winter when rime ice coats the landscape.
3A thousand-year-old Yellow Mountain pine growing beside Jade Screen Pavilion. Its outstretched branch resembles an arm welcoming guests, making it the symbol of Yellow Mountain and Anhui province. The nearby Wenshu Platform offers expansive views, with Heavenly Capital Peak and Lotus Peak flanking either side—perfect for the final photo op on the front mountain route.
4A 900-year-old Huizhou village designed in the shape of an ox: Moon Pond is the 'ox's stomach,' South Lake the 'ox's belly,' and clear streams flow past every home. The South Lake's arched bridge was featured in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' while the wood carvings of Chengzhi Hall are hailed as the 'Forbidden City of the common folk.' Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.
A commercial street dating from the golden age of Huizhou merchants. On its 1,272-meter Song-style street, shops selling inksticks, inkstones, hairy tofu, and baked goods line up like scenes from a 'moving Along the River During Qingming Festival.' Adjacent Liyang In Lane offers a nightlife area blending old and new.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, 'no town was complete without Huizhou merchants.' These salt merchants returned home to build houses with white walls, dark tiles, and horse-head walls. The courtyards channeled rainwater inward to gather wealth and fortune, while brick-carved gateways and wooden beams displayed owners' wealth and taste—stepping into Chengzhi Hall in Hongcun is like entering a three-dimensional history of the Huizhou merchants.
Huizhou is the birthplace of the Four Treasures of the Study: inkstones from She County, inksticks from Jixi County, and Xuan paper from Jing County were all traded here. On Tunxi Old Street, you can still see master craftsmen applying gold and carving characters, with inkstones requiring over a dozen steps from stone selection to completion.
Spend a night at a mountain-top hotel above 1,600 meters. Arrive 40 minutes early at Bright Summit or Dawn Pavilion according to the season to secure a spot—when the sea of clouds churns below and the sun leaps from between peaks, the early wait is worth every penny.
Learn from a master chef to prepare 'stinky' mandarin fish: marinate, cut, and braise it over low heat to understand the fermentation process of 'bucket-fresh' cuisine, then fry a portion of hairy tofu. Enjoy your own creations for lunch, with a handwritten recipe to take home.
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