A Travel Guide to Huangshan: Natural Beauty and Huizhou Culture
ποΈ Introduction/Recommendation Reasons
Huangshan is renowned worldwide for its “four wonders”: oddly-shaped pine trees, grotesque rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs. It is also complemented by Huizhou-style ancient villages such as Hongcun and Xidi, which showcase the splendid Huizhou culture. Whether you are a nature lover or a humanities and history explorer, you can find your heart’s desire here.
π Arrival Transportation Methods
- High-speed rail/airplane: You can take a direct flight from Shenzhen to Huangshan Tunxi International Airport (about 2 hours), or take a high-speed rail to Huangshan North Station (about 6 hours).
- Intra-city transportation: It takes about 1 hour by car from Huangshan North Station to the South Gate of Huangshan Scenic Area. You can take a bus (30 yuan per person, every 20 minutes) or share a car (about 80 yuan per car).
π Intra-city Transportation Methods
- Huangshan Scenic Area: From Huangshan North Station to the South Gate Transfer Center (bus 30 yuan per person, about 1 hour).
- Ancient villages/ancient city: Ancient villages such as Hongcun, Xidi, and Chengkan can be reached by sharing a car from Huangshan North Station (about 80-120 yuan per car), or taking a high-speed rail to Yixian East Station and then transferring to a bus.
- Urban area/old street: It is convenient to take a taxi to attractions such as Tunxi Old Street and Huizhou Ancient City. The starting price is about 8 yuan. It is recommended to use Didi or Gaode Taxi-hailing App.
π Must-visit Attractions Recommendation
Huangshan Scenic Area
- Price: The ticket is 190 yuan per person (in the peak season). You can make a reservation in advance on the “Huangshan Tourism Official Platform”.
- Opening hours: Open all day. It is recommended to go up the mountain in the early morning to watch the sunrise.
- Features: Must-visit spots include the Guest-Greeting Pine, Guangmingding, and the West Sea Grand Canyon. It is recommended to arrange 1-2 days for the visit.
Hongcun
- Price: The ticket is 104 yuan per person (half price for students).
- Opening hours: Open all day. It is recommended to visit in the early morning or evening.
- Features: The South Lake, Yuezhao, and the reflections of Huizhou-style buildings are suitable for taking photos.
Xidi
- Price: The ticket is 104 yuan per person (free for fresh graduates).
- Opening hours: Open all day. It is recommended to arrange half a day for the visit.
- Features: The bluestone alleys and horse-head walls give a strong sense of the original ecology.
Chengkan
- Price: The ticket is 102 yuan per person.
- Opening hours: 07:00-17:00.
- Features: The layout of the ancient village pays attention to feng shui, which is suitable for in-depth tours.
Huizhou Ancient City
- Price: The joint ticket is 145 yuan (including the prefectural yamen, city walls, etc.).
- Opening hours: 08:00-17:00.
- Features: Dou Shan Street and Xu Guo Stone Memorial Archway allow you to feel the history of Huizhou.
π Must-try Foods Recommendation
Lingshan Fermented Glutinous Rice Wine
Recommendation reason: The signature dish is fermented glutinous rice wine with red beans and small glutinous rice balls. The wine has a rich aroma but is not intoxicating. The small glutinous rice balls are soft, glutinous, and Q-bouncy, sweet but not greasy.
Huangshan Taro Cakes
Recommendation reason: The outer skin is crispy, and the filling is rich. Flavors such as dried mustard greens and dried bamboo shoots each have their own characteristics, with a combination of salty and sweet tastes.
Huizhou Sesame Seed Cakes
Recommendation reason: The classic combination of dried mustard greens and diced fat meat becomes crispy and crumbly after charcoal roasting, with a savory and delicious taste.
Stinky Mandarin Fish
Recommendation reason: It is a traditional famous dish in Huizhou. It smells “stinky” but tastes delicious. The fish meat is firm and fresh, and the soup is excellent when mixed with rice.
Hairy Tofu
Recommendation reason: It is a characteristic fermented tofu in Huizhou. The outer skin is fried until crispy, and the inside is dense and soft. It is even better when dipped in chili sauce.
π½οΈ Must-visit Restaurants Recommendation
Huang’s Huizhou Cuisine (Tangkou Transfer Center)
Recommendation reason: The stewed local chicken with mushrooms has tender meat and fresh soup, and the river shrimp with scallion oil is abundant in quantity and delicious in taste. You can order dishes at the open counter. The ingredients are fresh, and the service is attentive.
- Average price per person: About 120 yuan
Laojiefang Huizhou Cuisine (Tangkou Town)
Recommendation reason: The Huizhou stinky mandarin fish is marinated using the ancient method, with a rich and fragrant taste; the beef brisket with crispy rice crust is crispy and flavorful, combining creativity and tradition.
- Average price per person: About 100 yuan
Huixiangyuan Restaurant (Tunxi Old Street)
Recommendation reason: The pan-fried hairy tofu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the braised pork with Huangshan bamboo shoot tips is fatty but not greasy. The Huizhou-style decoration has an antique charm.
- Average price per person: About 150 yuan
Fengyanglou Huizhou Cuisine (Hongcun Dashu Store)
Recommendation reason: The braised local pork is fatty but not greasy, and the secret-cooked casserole fish is spicy and appetizing. The environment is quiet and beautiful, suitable for taking photos and checking in.
- Average price per person: About 120 yuan
Xiusao Taro Cakes (Tunxi Old Street)
Recommendation reason: They are made and sold on the spot. There are various flavors such as dried mustard greens and dried bamboo shoots. The outer skin is crispy, and the inside is soft, with an affordable price.
- Average price per person: About 20 yuan
π Cultural Experiences
- Huizhou Inkstick Making Experience: Go to Tunxi Old Street or She County to experience the national intangible cultural heritage “Huizhou Inkstick Making Technique”, and you can grind it by yourself.
- She Inkstone Cultural Tour: Visit the She Inkstone Museum to learn about the craftsmanship of She Inkstone, one of the “Four Famous Inkstones in China”, and purchase authentic inkstones.
- Huizhou-style Architecture Research: In ancient villages such as Hongcun and Xidi, admire the art of the “three carvings” (wood carving, brick carving, and stone carving) and feel the beauty of ancient Huizhou architecture.
- Abacus Culture Museum: Visit the former residence of Cheng Dawei, learn about the development history of the abacus, and experience traditional abacus counting.
ποΈ Shopping Tips
- Tea: Huangshan Maofeng, Qimen Black Tea, Taiping Houkui. It is recommended to buy from regular tea shops on Tunxi Old Street, and pay attention to distinguishing the origin and year.
- Huangshan Sesame Seed Cakes: It is recommended to buy from Zhang’s Sesame Seed Cakes or Hu’s Sesame Seed Cakes. Buying freshly baked ones is more crispy, and they can be vacuum-packed and taken away.
- The Four Treasures of the Study: Huizhou inksticks, She inkstones, and Xuan paper are suitable for cultural enthusiasts. It is recommended to buy them in She County or Tunxi Old Street.
- Wood Carving Ornaments: Wood carving handicrafts in Hongcun and Xidi can be used as souvenirs. Remember to bargain.
π Recommended Accommodation Areas
- Tangkou Town: It is close to the South Gate of Huangshan, with convenient transportation. It is suitable for checking in before climbing the mountain. There are many chain hotels, and the cost performance is high.
- Hongcun/Xidi: Experience the night view of the ancient village. It is recommended to stay in a homestay, and you can walk around the village to feel the Huizhou life.
- Tunxi Old Street: It is suitable for a leisurely tour. There are concentrated foods and shopping around, and it is suitable for a night tour of Liyang in Lane.
β οΈ Notes
- The prices in Huangshan are relatively high: Mineral water is about 5 yuan per bottle at the foot of the mountain and 15 yuan per bottle on the mountain. It is recommended to bring your own water and snacks.
- The taste of Huizhou cuisine is relatively strong: Some dishes are relatively salty. You can inform the chef in advance to adjust the taste.
- Be cautious when sharing a car: It is about 30 yuan per person to share a car from Huangshan North Station to Tangkou Town. Choose a regular driver and avoid private transactions.
- The weather is changeable: Bring rain gear and non-slip shoes. The temperature difference at the top of the mountain is large, so pay attention to keeping warm.
π Conclusion
Huangshan is a treasure land where nature and humanities blend. You can climb to a high place and look far into the distance, and also taste the Huizhou culture. Plan the route in advance and arrange the time reasonably, so that you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and deeply experience the local characteristics. Wish you a pleasant journey!
