Top 10 Must-See Attractions in Huangshan

Huangshan Scenic Area has many attractions to explore. So which attractions in Huangshan Scenic Area are highly recommended? Let’s take a look at the following detailed introduction! This includes Guangmingding, Xihải Grand Canyon, Yingkesong, Paiyunting, etc., see below.

1、Guangmingding

Recommended reason: You haven’t seen the beauty of Huangshan until you’ve been to Guangmingding. Guangmingding is the second highest peak of Huangshan, with an altitude of 1860 meters. The Ming Dynasty monk Pumen once built the Dabeiyuan on the top, and now the site has been built into the highest meteorological station in East China – Huangshan Meteorological Station. Because it is high and open, the sunlight shines for a long time, hence the name Guangmingding.
The top is flat and open, you can see the wonders of the East China Sea, the peaks of the West Sea, Liandan, Tiandu, Lianhua, Yuping, Ao Yu peaks are all in sight. The highest meteorological station in East China – Huangshan Meteorological Station is located here. Due to the flat terrain, it is one of the best places to watch the sunrise and sea of clouds in Huangshan.

2、Xihải Grand Canyon

Recommended reason: Also known as the Dreamland Scenic Area, it is a new scenic area developed by Huangshan Scenic Area in the mountains below the Danxia Station (commonly known as the Ersuo Upper Station) after years of hard work, and was officially opened to tourists in April 2005, allowing people to watch from the middle of the canyon. Famous peaks and ancient trees in the valley, ingenious rocks stand, you can see “Immortal Sunbathing Boots”, “King Wen Pulling a Cart”, “Wu Song Fighting the Tiger” and other strange rocks, the Double Dragon Pine stands on the cliff. In addition, this is also the place where Huangshan azaleas are abundant, every April, azaleas bloom all over the mountains, which is very beautiful! Xihải Grand Canyon is a new scenic area developed by Huangshan Scenic Area after years of hard work in the mountains below Danxia Station (commonly known as Ersuo Upper Station), the first phase of the project has been completed, allowing people to watch from the middle of the canyon. The canyon is surrounded by Shizhu Peak and Shichuang Peak in the south, Feilaishi in the east, and Paiyunting and Songlin Peak in the back. The scenic area covers an area of 25 square kilometers, from the West Gate of Huangshan, Diaqiao Temple, to Paiyunting, with a total length of about 15 kilometers. Famous peaks and ancient trees in the valley, ingenious rocks stand, you can see “Immortal Sunbathing Boots”, “King Wen Pulling a Cart”, “Wu Song Fighting the Tiger” and other strange rocks, the Double Dragon Pine stands on the cliff.

3、Yingkesong

Recommended reason: Yingkesong stands beside the Qingshi Stone of Yuping Tower in Huangshan Scenic Area, at an altitude of 1670 meters. The two main branches of the trunk extending forward for 7.6 meters in the middle of the trunk, just like a hospitable host, extending his arms, warmly welcoming guests from all over the world to visit Huangshan. Yingkesong is not only a symbol of Huangshan, but also the pride of the entire nation, she represents a tough and tenacious spirit. The giant iron painting “Yingkesong” displayed in the Anhui Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing is made according to its image.

4、Paiyunting

Recommended reason: It is located north of Beihai and facing the West Sea, built in the 24th year of the Republic of China, because there are often clouds and mist rising and rolling in the valley, rushing to the stone pavilion but disappearing, hence the name “Paiyunting”. The view here is wide open, it is the best place to admire the beautiful stones in Huangshan, and it is also known as the “Exhibition Hall of Ingenious Stones”. There is “Immortal Sunbathing Boots” not far to the left, and “Immortal Sunbathing Shoes” to the right. Left shoe and right shoe, facing each other, it is really a masterpiece of nature. Other ingenious stones, there are many that can be called by name, such as “Fairy Embroidery”, “Heavenly Girl Playing the Qin”, “Heavenly Dog Listening to the Qin” and so on. There is a “Broken Stone Pine” at Paiyunting, which is listed as a World Heritage Site. The roots are deeply rooted in the stone, splitting the whole stone into three pieces. The tree is 6.4 meters tall and 150 years old.

5、Ao Yufeng

Recommended reason: It is located in the middle of Huangshan, northwest of Lianhua Peak, named after the shape of the mountain peak which resembles a turtle, it is the first of the thirty-six small peaks of Huangshan. There is a triangular Ao Yudong in the middle of the peak, with the words “Tianzao” engraved on the forehead of the cave, there is a ladder inside the cave, tourists can pass through the cave, there is a saying of “Blessing for promotion and wealth”. Legend has it that Liezi said that the Heavenly Emperor once ordered fifteen turtles to carry five sacred mountains, and Ao Yufeng was the one carrying Huangshan.

Ao Yufeng is in the middle of Huangshan, northwest of Lianhua Peak, you can climb to the top from Pingtian Well, with an altitude of 1780 meters, it is the first of the 36 small peaks, named after the shape of the mountain peak which resembles a turtle. There is a triangular Ao Yudong in the middle of the peak, with the words “Tianzao” engraved on the forehead of the cave, there is a ladder inside the cave, tourists can pass through the cave. The ancients have a poem: “There is a giant turtle in the East China Sea, how many years has it flown here; people walk through the belly of the fish, their clothes are wet with jade marrow.” This describes the scene of people walking in the cave. It is the first of the thirty-six small peaks of Huangshan. Descending from Lianhua Peak, passing by Guishen Erstone and Baibushiyunti, passing through Lianhuadong, you will come to Ao Yufeng. This peak is 1780 meters above sea level, the peak is named after its shape, the huge and towering whale head has the momentum to swallow the sky and the earth.

6、Yungu Temple

Recommended reason: Yungu Temple is located in the eastern part of Huangshan Scenic Area, between Luohan Peak and Xianglu Peak, at an altitude of 890 meters. In the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, a Zhibofan Temple was built here, and in the Chongzhen period it was renamed Yungu Temple. Cheng Yuanfeng, the right prime minister of the Southern Song Dynasty, once studied here, hence the name “Prime Minister’s Source”. In the Ming Dynasty, the scholar Fu Yan traveled here, at the request of the Zhibofan monks, he wrote the words “Yungu” with his own hand, and since then the temple was renamed “Yungu Temple”, and gradually, Yungu Temple became the name of the place today. There are dense pines and bamboos around Yungu Temple, with ancient ginkgo biloba, strange vines and strange pines, Lion Seizing the Ball, Millennium Stone, Immortal List, Lingshi Spring and other scenic spots and Buddha bowls, eyebrows, Arhats, Xianglu and other peaks.

7、Lianhua Peak

Recommended reason: Lianhua Peak is the highest peak in East China, and of course the first peak of Huangshan, with an altitude of 1864 meters. Along the 1.5 kilometer road from Lianhua Ridge to the top of Lianhua Peak, there are famous pines such as Feilong Song, Daoguangsong and Huangshan Azaleas along the way. At the top of Lianhua Peak, there is a Xiangsha Well within a square meter, from the top of the peak, you can look east to Tianmushan, west to Lushan, north to Jiuhua Mountain and the Yangtze River. Lianhua Peak, like the top of other famous mountains, is full of various locks on the iron chains around the top, mostly tied by young couples or couples holding hands to show their love for each other. There is only one walking road to climb the mountain, called Lianhua Geng, more than 1 kilometer long. Tourists need to go up along the road from Yuping to Tianhai.

8、Monkey Watching the Sea

Recommended reason: Monkey Watching the Sea is located in front of Huangshan Lion Peak in the Beihai Scenic Area of Huangshan Scenic Area. A stone monkey sits alone on the top of the peak, as if looking far into the distance, and as if jumping and watching the rise and fall of the sea of clouds. When the sea of clouds dissipates, the monkey can also look at the rural scenery of Taiping County, so this ingenious stone can also be called “Monkey Watching Taiping”.

9、Feilaishi

Recommended reason: Located in the Baiyun Scenic Area of Huangshan, northwest of Guangmingding, it concentrates 30% of the strange rocks in Huangshan. Legend has it that this is a stone left over from Nuwa patching the sky, the stone is very magical, you can touch it and bring good luck. The locals also have a saying: “One can touch official luck, two can touch financial luck, three can touch good luck, four can touch peach blossom luck, five touch no luck, six touch pregnancy.” The stone in the filming of “Dream of the Red Chamber” is this stone.

10、Beihai Scenic Area

Recommended reason: Huangyuan refers to the sea of clouds located north of Beihai Hotel in Huangshan, from Shixin Peak, now it generally refers to the vast area north of Gongyangshan, Qishi Peak and Lion Peak. Shixin Peak, Shisun Tong, Shengshang Peak, Lion Peak Sanhuawu and Songgu Scenic Area are all within this range. The terrain here is complex, the air currents pass through the mountains in Beihai Scenic Area (9 photos), there are many obstacles, the valley winds circulate, sometimes up and sometimes down, the clouds and mist swirl and float accordingly or spread out, often appearing sea of clouds. The sea surface is wide, with waves rising and falling, and splashes of water flying. Especially at sunrise, the rays of dawn are shining, the sea of clouds is rolling, the colors are brilliant, it is a spectacular sight. Qingliangtai and the top of Lion Peak are the best places to view Beihai. Beihai is the convergence point of four ancient mountain climbing roads. There are many scenic spots in Beihai, such as the strange Shisun Tong and the interesting “Two Immortals Playing Chess”, “Prime Minister Watching Chess”, “Immortals Entering Treasure”, “Eighteen Arhats Facing the South China Sea” and other strange sights. Sanhuawu, the beautiful name spreads far and wide. There are many strange pines in Beihai, especially Heihusong, Wolongsong, Qilinsong, Longzhaosong, Lianlisong are the most famous.