By Wei Ruyi, Interview & Report
In the past, Taiwanese travelers planning a trip to Huangshan on the mainland usually had to first fly to Hangzhou or Hefei, then spend about two and a half hours traveling by road to reach Huangshan. However, starting January 18 of this year (2012), EVA Air will begin operating three weekly direct flights (Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays) to Tunxi Airport in Huangshan, saving travelers at least one hour in transit time and making the journey to Huangshan much more convenient.
Winter is the season when Huangshan’s sea of clouds appears most frequently. The photo shows Yuping Scenic Area, one of the main viewing spots in Huangshan. (Photo provided by Lion Travel)
Huangshan is also known as “the most fantastic mountain under heaven” and is considered, along with the Yangtze River, the Great Wall, and the Yellow River, a symbol of the Chinese nation. The “Four Wonders” of Huangshan are its uniquely shaped pines, bizarre rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs. Among its peaks, 72 have been named, with the three main peaks being Tiandu Peak, Lotus Peak, and Bright Summit Peak, all of which are over 1,800 meters above sea level.
Travel agencies currently offering tour packages that include EVA Air’s direct flights to Huangshan include Southeast, Lion, Kangfu, Wufu, Sifang, and Shihbang. Most itineraries range from 5 to 8 days, with Southeast, Lion, Kangfu, Sifang, and Shihbang emphasizing a 2–3 night stay on Huangshan itself, allowing visitors to take their time exploring. Huang Guoxuan, deputy manager of Southeast Travel Service, said, “There are only about 1,000 guest rooms available on both the front and back sides of Huangshan combined. We recommend travelers take full advantage of the opportunity to stay longer on Huangshan and fully appreciate this rare natural heritage.” Additionally, Wufu Travel Service emphasizes considering the preferences of older travelers who may not fare well in cold weather or have budget constraints, offering packages with just one night on the mountain paired with other key highlights. They also feature exclusive arrangements such as listening to Huangmei melodies and receiving small bottles of Huangmei opera liquor.
Tour packages offered by travel agencies include not only the front and back sides of Huangshan but also Anhui’s famous “Tunxi Ancient Street,” the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient Hongcun village with its iconic ox-shaped architecture, as well as Qiandao Lake... among others. With the addition of EVA Air’s direct flights, special discount packages have also been introduced, and flower-viewing tours will be added in the spring.
Hongcun, the filming location of the movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” is a highlight that is usually not missed on Huangshan tours. (Photo provided by Wufu Travel Service)