Best 3-Day Solo Trip to Huangshan, Anhui During the Pandemic

My trip to Huangshan this time was actually very simple. I booked everything online in advance and then left it to my friend, because we are both from Anhui, so the entrance fee was waived for us. I left the rest to him—food, accommodation, and transportation—without having to worry about anything, and I had a great time! Let me share it with you!

No regrets: I visited all the famous spots like Huangshan, Xidi and Hongcun, and Huizhou Ancient City!

"Huangshan has beautiful scenery in all seasons, but the sunrise is the best." If you don't see the sunrise at Huangshan with your own eyes, you can't imagine how beautiful it is.

I believe that for most travelers going to Huangshan, watching the sunrise is the biggest motivation to get up early. In the dead silence, the light from the rising sun turns the sky and clouds red, bringing warm tones and light—undoubtedly the warmest hope of the day. The chance of seeing the sunrise at Huangshan is closely related to the weather. With less rainfall, there is a higher chance of successfully witnessing a perfect sunrise.

You're welcome. Here I'll roughly describe our itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive at Huangshan Station by plane, then go directly to Huangshan city. First, visit Xidi and Hongcun, and Huizhou Ancient City. Finally, stay at Ruiju Tunxi Old Street in Huangshan. In the evening, stroll through the old street and Liyang Water Street.

Day 2: Visit the core scenic spots of Huangshan: Lianhua Pavilion, Tiandu Peak, Lianhua Peak, Welcoming Pine, etc. Stay at the summit (watch the sunrise in the morning).

Day 3: Watch the sunrise in the morning, then visit the essence of Huangshan: West Sea Grand Canyon, North Sea Scenic Area. End the day's itinerary, go to Tunxi Tea City, and take the train back.

Personally, I think this 3-day itinerary is really good. The whole trip was very relaxing, with no forced consumption, and the guide was very responsible. So I had a great time. He not only did his job seriously and responsibly, but he also patiently answered all the questions I raised.

② Do you need someone to guide you?

There are many scenic spots in Huangshan, and the city's attractions are quite scattered. If it's your first time in Huangshan, it's necessary to have someone guide you, preferably a local who knows the area well. This time, through my friend, we had a local guide show us around Huangshan (he didn't take us the wrong way, no shopping or hidden costs, very enthusiastic, answered all questions, and left professional matters to professionals—it was much more worry-free and cost-effective than wandering on our own~). The result proved that having someone guide you is necessary. Why? Because Huangshan's scenic area is large, and every spot has special stories that you definitely wouldn't know on your own! You need someone to explain.

③ About transportation: Transportation is unavoidable on every trip. The time we spend on transportation takes up a large part of our travel time, so we need to plan our time in advance. Also, you need to take a car to get to the scenic spots. If you don't have a guide, arranging a car yourself might lead to being overcharged. Sometimes even if you agree on a price beforehand, they might ask for more money after arriving at the scenic spot, so be careful. The hotel I stayed at could arrange a car at a very favorable price, so I asked the front desk lady to help arrange it.

④ About dining: The cost of living in Huangshan city is relatively low. For breakfast, we had a bowl of specialty rice noodles in Huangshan city for less than 15 yuan (hotels generally have buffet breakfasts, so travelers can choose freely)! However, the costs at the scenic spots are very high. For lunch, I recommend bringing your own snacks. In the evening, you can go to Tunxi Old Street to look for authentic local Huizhou cuisine!

⑤ About costs: The costs included: 1. Scenic spot tickets; 2. All transportation fees, including long distances; 3. Two nights of hotel accommodation; 4. Full tour guide service fees, including pick-up and drop-off.

Currently, most Huangshan scenic spots require long queues. Booking in advance can save a lot of queuing time. Also, the daily visitor numbers are limited...

Speaking of Huangshan travel tips, I just came back from Huangshan, so I think I'm the most qualified to share. Huangshan is a tourist destination worth remembering. Or rather, for most domestic scenic spots, traveling there usually falls into two situations:

Joining a local tour group: The price is very high, the itinerary is too rushed and tiring, and the guide takes you to shopping stores—this is definitely the worst way to travel!

Independent travel with friends: Very free, but very troublesome. You have to book hotels and tickets in advance, arrange transportation, make an itinerary, etc. It takes a lot of time and costs more. If you travel independently, be careful not to be taken by taxi drivers—you might be overcharged.

When traveling locally, the best local food is the Jiali Shaobing (flatbread) shop. According to my friend, it has been open for over 10 years, right next to the train station, and next to it is the Huangshan Tea City. There, you can find tea at all price points, as well as various local dried goods like bamboo shoots—all great as gifts. Fortunately, my hotel was a bit away from the old street, so in the evening I could enjoy the riverside night view while walking to the old street. This hotel had good service and reasonable prices, and they even gave me a small bag of shaobing when I left. The hotel is called Ruiju Hotel. You can check it out if you have time.

1. If you can't stay at Bright Summit Peak but still want to capture the sunrise, White Goose Ridge (where White Goose Villa is located), Lion Peak near Beihai Hotel, and Danxia Peak near Xihai and Paiyunlou are good alternatives.

2. Huangshan scenic area is always packed. When leaving the mountain, you might have to queue for a long time for the shuttle. It's recommended to avoid leaving around noon or evening; leave a bit earlier to avoid the crowds.

3. The weather on the mountain is changeable, often rainy, and the temperature difference from the base is large. It's recommended to bring a raincoat and warm clothing.

4. There are many luggage storage places in Tangkou town. It's recommended to pack light for the hike, bring a small bag, and a walking stick is a must-have.

5. There are few restaurants on the summit and they are expensive. It's recommended to bring some food up the mountain.

6. Every winter, many scenic spots including the West Sea Grand Canyon are closed, and various cable cars occasionally close in winter. It's recommended to inquire in advance and prepare.