For those planning a visit to Huangshan Mountain, many opt for a day trip. However, spending two days and one night at Huangshan offers a more relaxed experience with time to fully enjoy the stunning landscapes. We recently tried this longer itinerary and found it incredibly rewarding. Here, we share our experience as a guide for anyone planning a trip to Huangshan.
Who Is This Itinerary For?
✅ Travelers who want to explore more of Huangshan’s attractions in one visit
✅ Those who want to see both the sunrise and sunset
✅ Visitors with a sufficient budget for an overnight stay on the mountain
✅ Anyone looking for a slower-paced hike with breaks
Why Choose a Two-Day, One-Night Trip?
✔️ You get to witness both sunrise and sunset, along with stargazing opportunities
✔️ More time to visit additional scenic spots across Huangshan
✔️ (Most importantly) This itinerary is less physically demanding! You can take a midday break to rest and recharge, continue exploring in the afternoon, and avoid the rush of queuing for the cable car at the end of the day. You’ll also skip the peak-hour crowds.
Itinerary Overview
Day 0 (Evening Before):
Stay at a hotel at the foot of Huangshan, preferably within walking distance of the shuttle transfer center. This will allow you to get an early start the next morning and avoid crowds.
Day 1 – Morning:
- Take the Yungu Cable Car (玉屏索道) to ascend the mountain
- Visit the Guest-Greeting Pine (迎客松)
- Walk through One-Line Sky (一线天)
- Hike to Bright Summit (光明顶)
- Continue to Flying Rock (飞来石)
- Head to Paiyun Pavilion (排云亭)
- Check in at Paiyun Lodge Hotel (排云型旅酒店)
You should reach the hotel before noon. After a break and lunch, you can continue your hike in the afternoon.
Day 1 – Afternoon:
- Start with a walk to Paiyun Pavilion (排云亭)
- Explore the First and Second Rings of Xihai Grand Canyon (西海大峡谷一环二环)
- Take the Xihai Train (西海大峡谷小火车) back up
- Hike to the Summit of Qunfeng Peak (群峰顶) to enjoy the sunset
- Return to the hotel for an overnight stay
Day 2 – Morning:
- Watch the sunrise at Danxia Peak (丹霞峰)
- Return to the hotel for breakfast and a short nap
- Visit Monkey Watching the Sea (猴子观海)
- Explore Pen Rack Peak (梦笔生花)
- Hike to Beginning-to-Believe Peak (始信峰)
- Take the Yun Gu Cable Car (云谷索道) back down
If you move at a fast pace, you can finish the hike and descend by noon.
Why Choose to Ascend via the Front Mountain and Descend via the Back Mountain?
The front mountain has many concentrated scenic spots, making it ideal for the first day when you have more time. It also helps to descend from the back on the second day to avoid peak crowds around noon.
This plan balances difficulty: the front mountain is steep, while the back mountain is more gentle. On the first day, you’ll be more energetic, and with the hotel stay offering a midday rest, you’ll avoid feeling exhausted.
Highly Recommended: Xihai Grand Canyon (西海大峡谷)
The Xihai Grand Canyon is a must-visit, renowned for its breathtaking beauty. If you only have one day at Huangshan, you might not have time for this incredible spot, but a two-day trip gives you the chance to explore it fully. We recommend walking the First and Second Rings of the canyon and then taking the Xihai Train back up. This saves energy since the trails are steep, and hiking uphill can be exhausting.
Other Useful Tips
Tickets: Huangshan operates on a reservation system, so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance.
Accommodation: There are only a few hotels at the top of the mountain, and they book up quickly, especially during peak season. The earlier you book, the more options you’ll have. We stayed at Paiyun Lodge Hotel (排云型旅酒店), which we found beautiful, with evening performances to enjoy.
Weather: If possible, plan your visit for a day following rainfall, as the chances of seeing both sunrise and sunset, as well as the famous sea of clouds, increase significantly.
Clothing: In summer, short sleeves and a light windbreaker are suitable for daytime hiking. However, if you plan to watch the sunrise, be sure to bring a down jacket. Our hotel, Paiyun Lodge, provided down jackets in the room, so we didn’t need to bring our own.
Equipment: Consider bringing trekking poles and gloves. If you don’t want to carry them, you can purchase these items at the foot of the mountain. Some shops offer a service where you can return the trekking pole for a bottle of water after your hike. Prices for food and supplies are higher on the mountain, so if you prefer not to eat at the restaurants, bring snacks or instant food.