Wu Song Fights the Tiger

　　Introduction: On the right side of the peak waist in front of Xihai Paiyun Pavilion, there is a rock that resembles a brave warrior standing with arms raised, looking majestic; below it lies another rock shaped like a fierce tiger, raising its head and roaring with intense ferocity. The two rocks together form the scene of the tiger landing on its hind paws while its front paws pounce on the warrior, who uses his left hand to pin the tiger’s lower jaw and raises his right fist to strike—resembling the legendary tale of Wu Song fighting the tiger, hence the name.
　　The four seasons of Huangshan offer breathtaking scenery, ensuring you’ll find wonder in any weather.
　　Spring (March to May): Admire blooming flowers, lush green pine needles, and birds singing in the mountains; Summer (June to August): View the pines, sea of clouds, and enjoy a cool retreat; Autumn (September to November): Witness the green pines, gray rocks, red maples, and other natural landscapes; Winter (December to February): Observe ice flowers and rime. On sunny days at Huangshan, admire the unique pines and grotesque rocks; on cloudy days, watch the ever-changing sea of clouds; during rain, seek out cascading waterfalls; in snow, behold the frost-covered trees; and in wind, listen to the pine waves echoing through the valleys. Though the peak tourist season runs from March 16 to November 15, winter is regarded by many visitors as the most beautiful season on Huangshan. Winters here are relatively long, with snow usually beginning to fall around late October. From November to March of the following year, the entire mountain is covered in snow, with December to February being the height of the snow season—and the best time for winter travel. In short, snow scenery can be seen as early as late October, and even without snow, you can still enjoy the stunning “rime” (also called rime frost), which, like snow, cloaks trees, rocks, and rooftops in a glistening white—but is even purer, more transparent, and more magnificent than snow, thus offering a richer charm. Winter is also the season when the sea of clouds appears most frequently, sometimes lasting for three days without dispersing. However, please note that Tiandu Peak and Baiyun Stream are closed to visitors during this period.
　　Huangshan experiences many overcast and rainy days, with frequent cloud cover. The average annual temperature is 7.8°C, and rainfall is concentrated between April and June. In the hot spring area at an altitude of 630 meters, the average summer temperature is 25°C, and the average winter temperature stays above 0°C. Scenic Highlights: Huangshan Sunrise: Huangshan’s towering peaks and numerous valleys are often shrouded in mist, making the sunrise especially spectacular. The sunrise here is grand and magnificent. The best spots to view the sunrise are Qingliang Terrace on Beihai and Lion Peak, followed by Bright Summit Top and Jade Screen Tower. Sunrise times: Spring—5:30–6:00 AM; Summer—4:40–5:20 AM; Autumn—4:50–5:20 AM; Winter—5:30–6:00 AM.
　　Huangshan Sunset Glow: The Xihai area of Huangshan often has sea of clouds, offering uniquely beautiful scenery. At dusk, as the sun sets, the peaks and drifting clouds are bathed in gorgeous rosy hues. As the angle of the setting sunlight changes, the colors reflected on the mountain ridges shift from crimson to deep red. When the sun nears the horizon, the glowing western sky, the fiery sun, and the layered mountain peaks create a harmonious and breathtaking spectacle, referred to by ancient people as the “Sea of Glow Wonder.” The best place to view the Xihai sunset glow is Paiyun Pavilion.
　　Huangshan Corona: Around the sun or moon, within the cloud layer, a colorful ring with purple on the outside and red on the inside may appear—known as a solar or lunar corona, referred to by ancients as “unusual light.” It is formed by the diffraction of sunlight or moonlight through tiny water droplets or ice crystals in the clouds, creating a stunning ring that often appears on altocumulus or cirrocumulus clouds, and sometimes on stratocumulus clouds. The size of the ring is inversely proportional to the size of the water droplets or ice crystals.
　　Huangshan Buddha’s Light: When you stand on a mountaintop with your back to the sun, facing dense fog while the sky behind you is clear, a vivid, multicolored halo may appear on the fog screen, distinctly encircling your own shadow. As you move, the shadow moves; when you stay still, so does the shadow—resembling a “Buddha.” In strong sunlight, the halo displays seven colors, with red on the inside and purple on the outside, dazzling and resplendent. Sometimes multiple halos appear one after another, which is especially extraordinary. The Buddha’s Light phenomenon occurs about 42 times a year on Huangshan, mostly around 3–4 PM, and is frequently observed at Jade Screen Tower, Tiandu Peak, and the new Baiyun path after rain.
　　Huangshan Rime: Huangshan enters winter in late September, with the winter season lasting up to 227 days. Due to the high altitude and strong winds, snow doesn’t accumulate easily, making it rare to see vast snowy landscapes. But once the wind dies down, the mountain fills with rising mist, creating a stunning sight. Scenic Transportation: Located on the right side of the peak waist in front of Paiyun Pavilion, at the western end of Beihai.
　　Wu Song Fights the Tiger: Ticket Information and Opening Hours
　　For ticket prices and opening hours, please consult the staff at the scenic site directly. Friendly Reminder: Hiking: The paths on Huangshan are steep and rugged—wear rubber or cloth shoes. There are many stone steps and several hazardous sections, so hike with your upper body slightly forward, and descend especially slowly. Travel light. Before setting off, you can store excess luggage at the left-luggage counters in hotels or guesthouses at the mountain base. Winds are strong on Huangshan, and thunderstorms are common in summer—avoid hiking during storms, do not grab onto the iron chains or take shelter under trees, and don’t use umbrellas.
　　Clothing: Temperatures on Huangshan are about 10°C lower than on the plains, and sunlight is stronger—bring appropriate sun-shielding clothing and hats. If you plan to stay overnight at the mountaintop, finding available hotel rooms can be difficult in peak season, and renting coats may also be challenging when visitor numbers are high. In such cases, a raincoat becomes essential. While it doesn’t block wind as effectively as padded clothing, it’s much better than regular sweaters or jackets. Moreover, Huangshan receives abundant rainfall—about 7–8 days of rain per 10-day period in summer—and umbrellas are not allowed on several peaks due to strong winds and steep trails, making raincoats indispensable.

　　 Anhui, Huangshan City