Fifth Timezone Travel
The Splendor of Huangshan · 5-Day West Sea Grand Canyon Adventure
大美黄山 · 西海大峡谷 5 日
One day longer than the classic 4-day itinerary: traverse the entire first and second loop of the West Sea Grand Canyon, stay overnight on the mountain to witness sunrise and sunset, leisurely explore Hongcun's Moon Pond and South Lake, and conclude with Tunxi Old Street and a Huizhou cuisine class—the complete 5-day painting of Huizhou.
The 'no regrets' version of Huangshan: Day 1 begins with arrival in Tunxi and exploration of the old street; Day 2 features a ride up the Yungu Cableway, seeing famous pines at Shixin Peak, and descending into the West Sea Grand Canyon—walking the entire valley floor trail of the first and second loop (or take the popular little train up if you prefer), staying overnight on the mountain to catch sunset and sunrise; Day 3 covers Bright Summit, the Flying Rock, and Hundred Steps Cloud Ladder to the Guest Pine, then down the Yuping Cableway to Hongcun; Day 4 is a leisurely tour of Hongcun's Moon Pond and South Lake, plus Mukang Bamboo Sea or Pingshan Village, returning to Tunxi in the evening to visit Liyang In Lane; Day 5 concludes with a Huizhou cuisine class before departure.
The extra day compared to the 4-day itinerary allows ample time for the full West Sea Grand Canyon and a relaxed Hongcun experience. The package includes Huangshan tickets, two cableway rides, and guaranteed mountain-top accommodation. Perfect for photography enthusiasts, light hikers, and travelers who want to see all of Huizhou.
Tour highlights行程亮点
- Full first and second loop of West Sea Grand Canyon valley floor trail
- Sunset and sunrise from a mountain-top hotel
- Bright Summit and the Flying Rock
- Guest Pine and Yuping Pavilion
- Hongcun's Moon Pond and South Lake (filming location of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon')
- Tunxi Old Street and Huizhou cuisine experience class
Day-by-day itinerary每日行程
D1Arrive in Tunxi · Old Street
Private car pickup from Huangshan North Railway Station or Tunxi Airport, then check into your Tunxi hotel. In the afternoon, explore the 1,272-meter Tunxi Old Street: shops selling Huizhou ink, She inkstones, and baked snacks line the street, living up to its name as the '流动的清明上河图' (Mobile Riverside Scene at Qingming); enjoy a cup of Huangshan Maofeng tea on an old street teahouse while watching the street scenes. After dark, head next door to Liyang In Lane—the night scenery of this new and old waterside street mirrors the old street. Dinner introduces Huizhou cuisine: stinky mandarin fish, tofu with fermented greens, and stone ear chicken stew. Practical tips: It's recommended to arrive on a train before 14:00; for tomorrow's mountain climb, pack light and buy a hiking pole at the foot of the mountain. Accommodation: Tunxi.
D2Yungu Cableway · Shixin Peak · West Sea Grand Canyon
Morning drive to Yungu Temple Cableway Station, an eight-minute ride to the summit; first visit Shixin Peak: the Black Tiger Pine, United Branch Pine, and Harp Pine await you, '不到始信峰，不见黄山松' (Without reaching Shixin Peak, you haven't seen Huangshan's pines), taking about 1.5 hours; lunch at the mountain-top hotel buffet. Afternoon descent into the West Sea Grand Canyon: the first and second loop valley floor trail winds among vertical cliffs, appearing like a fairyland when clouds and mist surge, taking about 3.5 hours for the full loop—after walking the valley, take the popular little train back up (included), or the energetic can climb back; sunset at Danxia Peak or Paiyun Pavilion. Practical tips: It's 6-8 degrees colder on the mountain, so a windproof jacket is essential; the canyon trail has many steps, and a hiking pole is very helpful. Accommodation: Huangshan mountain-top hotel.
D3Sunrise · Bright Summit · Guest Pine · Transfer to Hongcun
Early morning sunrise viewing at the guide's recommended spot (Bright Summit or Dawn Pavilion, depending on season and sea of clouds); after breakfast, take the front mountain route: Bright Summit (1,860m) — Flying Rock — Ao Fish Peak — Sky Crack — Hundred Steps Cloud Ladder, about 4 hours, pace yourself on the起伏 (undulating) paths; afternoon at Yuping Pavilion to see the thousand-year-old Guest Pine, with Tiantu Peak and Lotus Peak nearby. Ride the Yuping Cableway down, then drive about 1 hour to Hongcun. Dinner features Huizhou stinky mandarin fish with stone ear chicken stew. Practical tips: Sea of clouds often appears after rain on clear mornings; shopping on the mountain is inconvenient, so bring snacks and water in advance. Accommodation: Hongcun or Tangkou.
D4Leisurely Hongcun · Mukang Bamboo Sea or Pingshan
Morning in Hongcun (World Heritage Site since 2000): South Lake's painted bridge is where Li Mubai led his horse across in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', Moon Pond's '牛胃' (cow's stomach) reflection with its four-water-returning design framed by horse-head walls, and Chengzhi Hall's woodcarving known as the '民间故宫' (Folk Palace Museum), leisurely explore the whole village for about 3 hours—the extra time compared to a one-day tour allows you to appreciate South Lake Academy and the Wang Clan Ancestral Hall in detail. Afternoon choose one: Mukang Bamboo Sea (filming location for the bamboo forest fight in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', with a valley loop trail taking about 2 hours) or Pingshan Village—a lesser-visited ancient Huizhou village, perfect for a slow walk among ancestral halls and streams; evening drive back to Tunxi, revisit Liyang In Lane at night. Practical tips: Bamboo Sea is cool in summer but beware of mosquitoes; Pingshan Village is ideal for quiet photography. Accommodation: Tunxi.
D5Huizhou Cuisine Experience · Departure
Morning Huizhou cuisine experience class (about 2 hours): a master chef guides you to braise a stinky mandarin fish or pan-fry tofu with fermented greens, served with Huizhou meatballs and stone ear soup, lunch features your own creations and you'll receive a handwritten recipe as a souvenir; after the class, do some last-minute souvenir shopping on the old street. Afternoon departure transfer to Huangshan North Railway Station (about 20 minutes) or Tunxi Airport (about 15 minutes) based on your travel plans. Practical tips: It's recommended to book a departure after 14:00; recommended souvenirs include Huizhou ink pastries, Huangshan Maofeng tea, and tribute chrysanthemums; if time permits, consider adding Chengkan or Xiong Village (additional fee). Accommodation: None (departing the same day).
What's included费用包含
- 4 nights accommodation (1 night mountain-top hotel + 2 nights in Hongcun/Tangkou + 1 night in Tunxi)
- Breakfast + 4 lunches
- Huangshan entrance tickets and Yungu and Yuping cableway rides
- West Sea Grand Canyon sightseeing cablecar (upward ride)
- Hongcun entrance ticket
- Huizhou cuisine experience class (including ingredients)
- Private guide and private car for entire trip
- Pickup and drop-off at Huangshan North Railway Station/Airport
Photos from the road实拍照片
