Huangshan Travelogue (Traveling with Elderly)
After visiting Huangshan, no other mountain can compare. My dream of Huangshan finally came true on August 15 this year. The first train of the day departed from Shanghai Station, terminating at Huangshan North. The platform was Platform 1, making boarding convenient. The high-speed rail journey took 3.5 hours, and we rested on the train to conserve energy for the afternoon climb.
This trip was with my family, including two elders nearly 70 years old. After arriving at Huangshan North, the signs outside the station were very clear. Turning right led to the shuttle bus stop for the Huangshan Scenic Area. Tickets, waiting, and lunch could all be arranged there. During the summer peak season, buses to the scenic area were frequent, with one every 20 minutes or so. We took a bus and had lunch near the Transfer Center of the Huangshan Scenic Area. Based on a Ctrip guide, we stored our luggage at the Transfer Center’s service counter. The advantage of this storage point was that when taking a bus from Huangshan to surrounding areas (such as Hongcun), we could collect our luggage and board directly inside the station, saving the time of leaving, collecting luggage, and re-entering. The luggage stored there was accessible 24/7 and secure. For lunch, we recommend referring to Dianping’s suggestions.
Our climbing officially began in the afternoon. We entered from the southern gate of the Huangshan Scenic Area via the front mountain route: Ciguang Pavilion and Yuping Cable Car direction. The front mountain path is steeper than the back mountain, which is actually easier on the legs when ascending. Climbing the rugged path when energy levels were higher made the next day's descent relatively easier. Two days of mountain trekking confirmed that this arrangement was correct.
On the first afternoon, the views from the cable car already revealed Huangshan’s majesty. After getting off, we quickly reached the Welcoming Pine. The hotel there is Yupinglou Hotel. If your itinerary involves returning via the front mountain cable car, staying here is an option. The next accommodation further up is Baiyun Hotel near Bright Summit.
After the Welcoming Pine, we continued upward, stopping frequently to admire Huangshan’s beauty. We passed through the One Line Sky in the rain and reached Bright Summit, a journey of over three hours. Truly, only by walking can you see such stunning scenery. It was nearly sunset, so we hurried to our lodgings before dark: Shilin Hotel and Xihai Hotel. Since Shilin Hotel only had two rooms available when we booked, we reserved one room at Xihai Hotel. The shortest route to Xihai Hotel is via the Taiping Cable Car from the north gate of the scenic area; Paiyun Xian Hotel is only 5 minutes from Xihai Hotel. Both hotels are conveniently located for the West Sea Grand Canyon, Flying Rock, and Bright Summit. Xihai Hotel offers luggage delivery to the cable car station.
The walk between Shilin Hotel and Xihai Hotel takes about 25 minutes. Both hotels are passed on the way to West Sea Grand Canyon or Flying Rock. The butler service at Shilin Hotel, booked through Ctrip, was very helpful for our itinerary planning, especially for the next day’s climb.
We realized that climbing 500 meters of mountain path requires far more time and effort than walking 500 meters on flat ground—a difference that cannot be overstated.
We had dinner and breakfast at the hotels. Dinner was a buffet at 120 RMB per person. Food and supplies on the mountain are carried up by porters, load by load.
On the second day, we planned to visit the West Sea Grand Canyon (first loop) and Flying Rock, then return to the hotel for a brief rest before climbing Beginning-to-Believe Peak. We descended via the back mountain Yungu Cable Car from White Goose Ridge, reaching the foot of the mountain around 3:30 PM. We saw monkeys at Beginning-to-Believe Peak and squirrels at White Goose Ridge. The descent path was relatively gentle. With the experience of climbing Bright Summit the previous day, we found ourselves at Beginning-to-Believe Peak almost effortlessly. Along the way, we saw many pine trees in various shapes—truly worth it.
The two-day trip in the Huangshan Scenic Area left me impressed with the well-developed facilities and services. That said, more signs at scenic spots and hotels, along with distance and time estimates, would make things even easier for visitors. The beauty of Huangshan is beyond words for an ordinary person like me. All I can say is, if you have the stamina and time, you must climb Huangshan at least once in your lifetime. For those traveling with elderly companions, staying overnight on the mountain is essential for proper rest. It’s best to tackle the rugged uphill sections during the ascent. All tickets for entry, shuttle buses, and cable cars should be booked online in advance; entering with a simple ID scan is very convenient.
