Not climbing Huangshan Mountain makes you less than human? A travel guide to the “Number One Fantastic Mountain Under Heaven” for beginners

▲Even beginners to hiking can easily explore Huangshan.

▲The scenery of Huangshan is ever-changing.

Reporter Yu Jiayun / Reported and photographed in Huangshan

When it comes to Huangshan, most people may have heard of this famous scenic area in China, but when it comes to “must-visit travel destinations in a lifetime,” it might not be on many people’s lists. Indeed, if you haven’t been to Huangshan, this name might forever remain just a photo in a geography textbook. But only by visiting Huangshan can you truly grasp the awe and emotion behind the words of the Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake: “After seeing the Five Great Mountains, you don’t need to see any other mountains; after seeing Huangshan, you don’t need to see the Five Great Mountains.” You’ll also understand what local guides mean when they say, “You’re not truly human if you haven’t climbed Huangshan, and you’re no longer human once you’ve climbed it”—such is the breathtaking yet exhausting beauty.

▲The continuous mountain peaks and sea of clouds resemble a traditional Chinese ink painting.

▲Even the cable car ride is breathtaking.

There is a wealth of information about Huangshan available online, ranging from broad travel itineraries to detailed descriptions of every plant and rock. But if your goal in climbing Huangshan isn’t to write a travel guidebook, perhaps you can set aside your obsession with the names of every peculiar pine tree and strange rock, and instead read this “Make Your Huangshan Trip Easier” beginner’s travel guide first.

Guide 1: Stay overnight on Huangshan to watch the sunrise, sunset, and starry sky

Huangshan is located in Huangshan City, Anhui Province, and is one of China’s top ten scenic spots. It is also known as the “No. 1 Fantastic Mountain Under Heaven.” With countless mountains in China, having such a prestigious reputation surely means it has something truly special, which is why Huangshan attracts tens of thousands of visitors every day. The entire Huangshan Scenic Area has 77 peaks over 1,000 meters high, with 72 of them having names. Among these are the three main peaks: Lotus Peak, Bright Summit Peak, and Celestial Capital Peak. If you want to explore both the front and back mountains without rushing, you’ll need to stay on the mountain for about three nights to fully appreciate Huangshan’s various faces at the most comfortable pace—from the dawn sunrise to stargazing at night, every moment is incredible.

▲The scenery at sunrise is poetic and picturesque.

▲Huangshan in the mist.

Guide 2: Come through the clouds and go through the fog—go with the flow

Climbing Huangshan requires not only physical strength but also a bit of luck. The weather on Huangshan is unpredictable, with about 250 days of the year shrouded in clouds and fog. When the fog is light, you can see the layered mountains stretching endlessly; when the fog clears, the clouds linger around the mountainsides, sometimes calm, sometimes turbulent. One moment you might be greeted by a vast mountain vista, and the next, a thick fog might envelop the entire peak. On rainy days, you might walk a kilometer without seeing a single mountain, as a dense, seemingly endless mist creates a dreamlike fairy-tale atmosphere. On clear days, arriving early on the mountain allows you to witness the sun slowly rising from between the valleys, with warm sunlight spreading across the peaks, making Huangshan’s unique contours and rock textures even more vivid.

▲To see Huangshan in the mist, it’s recommended to start around 7 a.m.

▲Huangshan is shrouded in heavy fog for 250 days of the year.

▲The sea of clouds churning between the valleys.

Guide 3: Look at the scenery, not the path; walk, don’t look at the scenery

Huangshan is famous for its four wonders: peculiar pines, strange rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs. But hikers on Huangshan should also remember the “fifth wonder” from the guide’s advice—“Never look at the scenery while walking, and never walk while looking at the scenery.” The paths on Huangshan are generally well-maintained and safe, but some sections are particularly steep and treacherous. Therefore, even when surrounded by unparalleled, picturesque views straight out of an ink painting, you must first secure your footing before taking it all in. On Huangshan, after climbing a few ups and downs and feeling that the scenery before you is already dreamlike, you’ll have every reason to keep going over a few more peaks, because Huangshan will continuously lead you deeper into a fairyland with even more bizarrely shaped rocks, stranger pines, and unpredictable sea of clouds. Only by slowing down, pausing at the right moments to admire the view, can you truly etch Huangshan’s magical craftsmanship into your heart.

▲The Flying-over Rock standing atop the mountain.

▲Huangshan is primarily composed of granite.

▲The pine trees on the mountain are uniquely shaped.

▲Though the trails are safe, still watch your step.

Uni Air All-Fujian Mini Three Links
Uni Air’s All-Fujian Mini Three Links has newly launched the “Matsu + Beauty of Huangshan” travel product. Travelers can take a boat from Beigan, Matsu, to Huangqi and then head to Fuzhou, connecting via the “Most Beautiful High-Speed Rail in China—the Hefei–Fuzhou High-Speed Railway” to reach the Huangshan Scenic Area in Anhui Province. A seamless journey by sea, rail, and air offers a chance to experience the beauty of both Matsu and Huangshan in one trip.