Scenic Areas in Mount Huangshan

Huangshan Mountain is a member of the World Geological Park. It was listed on the Catalogs of World Cultural and Natural Sites by the UNESCO in 1990. The mountain consists of 9 scenic areas.

Beihai (North Sea) Scenic Area

The North Sea Scenic Area is just a few kilometers away from the Cloud-dispelling Pavilion in the West Sea Scenic Area, with the Xihai Hotel on the way. The Beihai Hotel is located near the Lion Peak, at an titleitude of 1,630 meters above sea level.

In the Dawn Pavilion in front of the hotel, one may enjoy the beautiful scenery of Beginning-to-believe Peak and Goddess Peak as well as the Stalagmite Bridge that inspire imagination of various fairy scenes. To the right of the hotel is the Flower House. In front of it is the Sunken Flower Valley with many rocks of fantastic shapes in it. Turning left from the hotel and passing the Unicorn Pine leads one onto the Refreshing Terrace and Lion Peak. Reaching out from the cliff and facing the valley in three directions, the terrace is an ideal place for watching sunrise and the sea of clouds. Atop the Cooling Apex of Lion Peak, one can look down at the rocks on Pingding Hill which is famous for resembling a scene of a monkey watching the sea. Below Lion Peak is the Ten Thousand Pines Forest which sends out constant pine soughing. Turning right from the guesthouse, while viewing various ancient pines on the way, one crosses the Immortal Bridge and ascends Beginning-to-believe Peak. Here, a magnificent view of stalagmites unfold itself.

North Sea Scenic Area Yellow Mountain

Xihai (West Sea) Scenic Area

Descending Brightness Apex, one comes to the West Sea via a newly opened tourist route. A mystical Rock Flying From Afar first comes into sight, with a huge 10 meter high rock weighing 600 tons standing on it. Passing several peaks nearby, visitors arrive at the Cloud-dispelling Pavilion where one commands an excellent view of the unfolding scene. There stand in front of the pavilion a sea of variously shaped peaks that inspire all sorts of fairy imagination. These architectural wonders of the nature turn the whole West Sea into a natural art gallery. When the sun sets, the whole valley basks in a myriad of sun rays, becoming a famous scene of the Yellow Mountains. Equally impressive is the 1,712 meters high Rosy Cloud Peak behind the Cloud-dispelling Pavilion. Standing on the peak, one can watch the sun rising above the cloud and Rock Flying From Afar and Nine Dragon Peak in all their grandeur.

The West Sea, long known as the Mystery Valley for the many clusters of peaks and the fathomless depth of the valley, has been opened up as the White Cloud Stream Scenic Area. The seven kilometer long newly paved staircase extends from the Hook Bridge Nunnery inside the West Gate of the Yellow Mountains, across the bottom of the valley, and reaches the newly built Heavenly Sea Pavilion at the Heavenly Sea. Tourists may go to Qianxun Falls via the Hook Bridge Nunnery and the Shy Spring. The highest falls in the Yellow Mountains, Qianxun Falls has a drop of 140 meters, and is ice free all the year round. The falls thunder can be heard at Swan Rock near the brook and one can also have a near look on the "Immortal Walking on Stilts". Passing the Dropping Spring and the Lucky Cloud Bridge, one comes to the Dispelling Cloud Pavilion. Then, a twisting path leads one through Fairy-walking Bridge and to the Goddess Flower Bed and finally to the Central Sea Pavilion at the Heavenly Sea. On the way, one can watch pines in all kinds of odd shapes.

Xihai Scenic Area Huangshan Mountain

Grand Canyon of the West Sea

Xihai Grand Canyon is a newly-developed scenic area open to public on May, 2001. Covering the most prime scenery of Xihai Scenic Area (Western part of Huangshan Scenic Area), it starts at Cloud-dispelling Pavilion, linking White Cloud Area at Fairy-walking Bridge, and creating a breathtaking circular sightseeing route.

Within its 25 square kilometers, there are many unique rock formations, such as Upside-down Boot, Lady Playing Piano, Dog Watching Sky, Immortal Walking on Stilts, and fantastic peaks; Archway Peak, Nine-dragon Peak, Double Bamboo Shoot Peak, Stone-bed Peak, Stone-pillar Peak and Pine Forest Peak, just to name a few. Lush pines abound in the area and the large historic ones have names. You become immersed in your surroundings and find yourselves in an amazing painting. Scenery keeps changing as you walk on steep steps usually clinging to precipices. Every step reveals a breathtaking view so you can just point your camera and take a perfect photo almost everywhere on the way. No wonder it's also called Magic Scenic Area.

A 4.5 km downhill walk will take you deeper and deeper in the ravine, with cliffs and peaks becoming higher and higher, arriving at Fairy-walking Bridge. It's a real Grand Canyon! In front of you from the bridge, the 3 km long steps will lead you through the White Clouds Area to the Heavenly Sea Area. It's no doubt a difficult, yet rewarding trip with so many fantastic views.

To complete this circular trip, you will climb up another 0.7 km to Bright Summit (1860m and second highest peak of the Yellow Mountain). Then continue down 1 km to a huge rock known as Flying-Over Rock, and finally 1.5 km further down will take you back to the Cloud-dispelling Pavilion.

This spectacular circular route is a good option for the energetic physically fit tourist. A better option for those who are not used to strenuous activity would be walking a small section of it rather than missing it title together.

This very secluded and fantastic scenic area known as the Grand Canyon of the West Sea is becoming more and more popular. It's a must see destination for tourists, even though being a newly opened area you may not find much reference material in English. (Further Reading: Hiking in Xihai (West Sea) Grand Canyon - Huangshan)

West Sea Grand Canyon

Tianhai (Heavenly Sea) Scenic Area

Tianhai (literally meaning heavenly sea) scenic area is located just between the Western part of Huangshan Mountain and the Eastern Part. There is a botanic garden nearby where you can see lots of plants indigenous to Mt. Huangshan. Also from here you can go to the White Clouds Scenic Area to enjoy the unique and unpareled views down.

A lot of travelers, especially mountain climbers walking up from the western side, would take a break here to regain energy since there are a few shops in this generally flat small area. Except a botanic garden, there are a pavilion made of granite called Heavenly Sea Pavilion and a water pond named Heavenly Sea Pond. From here, less than half-an-hour walk uphill will lead you to the Bright Summit, the second highest peak of the mountain with an elevation of 1,860 meters.

Those adventurers to trek the Grand Canyon will be walking across the Walking Fairy Bridge to reach Tianhai before they can finish the whole loop, which takes you about 5-6 hours.

Tianhai Scenic Area Mount Huangshan

White Clouds Scenic Area

The West Sea, long known as the Grand Canyon for the many clusters of peaks and the fathomless depth of the valley has been opened up as the White Cloud Stream Scenic Area. The seven-kilometer long newly paved staircase extends from the Hook Bridge Nunnery inside the West Gate of the Yellow Mountains, across the bottom of the valley, and reaches the newly built Central Sea Pavilion at the Heavenly Sea. Tourists may go to Qianxun Falls via the Hook Bridge Nunnery and the Shy Spring. The highest falls in the Yellow Mountains, Qianxun Falls has a drop of 140 meters, and is ice-free all the year round. The falls thunder can be heard at Swan Rock near the brook and one can also have a near look on the Immortal Walking on Stilts. Passing the Dropping Spring and the Lucky Cloud Bridge, one comes to the Cloud-dispelling Pavilion. Then, a twisting path leads one through Walking Fairy Bridge and to the Goddess Flower Bed and finally to the Central Sea Pavilion at the Heavenly Sea. On the way, one can watch pines in all kinds of odd shapes.

Huangshan Baiyun Scenic Area

Jade Screen Scenic Area

The Jade Screen Pavilion stands against the 1,668-meter high Jade Screen Peak. Originally the seat of Manjusri Temple, it is now a tourist center with complete service facilities. Around the pavilion are elephant and lion shaped rocks and ancient pines. In front of the pavilion there emerge to the left the Celestial Capital Peak and Ploughing Cloud Peak. On Ploughing Cloud Peak there is a rock which looks likes a squirrel jumping at the Celestial Capital Peak. Below the peak there is another odd shaped rock which conjures up a scene of an immortal getting off a sedan chair. To the right are Lotus Peak, Lotus Pistil Peak and Holy Spring Peak. Viewed from distance, the rock on Lotus Pistil Peak looks like a small boating sailing through the ocean of clouds. Beside the peak there stands a rock that resembles a peacock playing in the lotus. Standing on the terrace in front of the pine, one is greeted by a panorama of numerous peaks and rocks half hidden in the clouds. Therefore, a visit to the Jade Screen Pavilion has long been considered a must for a tour of the Yellow Mountains.

The Jade Screen Pavilion is a half way stop between the Hot Spring and the West Sea and North Sea scenic areas. Going further ahead, tourists pass the Farewell Pine and the Hassock Pine. If one looks back, an ox-shaped rock on Ox Nose Peak comes into sight. The scene is known as Rhinoceros Watching the Moon. The distance from Jade Screen Peak down to the bottom of the Lotus Ravine is about two and half kilometers. Here the terrain rises. Climbing up several hundred steps stairs, one reaches Lotus Ridge. Standing above in the right direction is Lotus Peak.

Huangshan Jade Screen Scenic Area

Pine Valley Scenic Area

Songgu (Pine Valley) Scenic Area which covers 13 square km is located to the northern foothill of Huangshan, close to the Taiping Cable Car Lower Station. Rocks of different formation, rock inscriptions and crystal water pools are the main attraction in the area in addtion to some tea plantations and bamboo forest on the mountain slope. The Old Dragon Pool (Laolong Tan), Green Dragon Pool (Qinglong Tan), Black Dragon Pool (Wulong Tan), White Dragon Pool (Bailong Tan) located not far away from the Jadite Pond and the Pine Valley Rivulet is actually five giant rocks naturally shaped like dragons stretching their heads down to drink water, hence the name. A small pavilion called Black Dragon Pavilion is actually built on the top of Black Dragon Rock. Along the mountainside are glittering green pools various in shape and size. The color changes in water caused by lighting presents a kaleidoscopic scene. After visiting the Jadite Pond, visitors can walk cross a bridge to reach the Pine Valley Nunnery nestled at the foot of the Diezhang Peak. Originally built in 1253 A.D, the nunnery was rebuilt in 1426 A.D. The surroundings here are quiet and pleasant. It is a good place to enjoy the ancient stone inscription and other beautiful scenery.

Jadite Pond Compared with other parts of Huangshan mountains, it is much more tranquil in the Pine Valley due to few tourists who will be down there for a visit. To get there, people who stay on the top of Huangshan can take cable car at Taiping Cable Car Upper Station (also called Purple Cloud Station) near the entrance to the Grand Canyon; or, as some hiking lovers have done, trek down via a trail by the Refreshing Terrace in Beihai (North Sea), which would take about 5 hours. A good hiking, isn't it? They can reward themselves taking cable car back up. Or just simply take the same cable car down and up. The Pine Valley is well worth half a day visit if you have time.

Pine Valley Scenic Area in Mount Huangshan

Cloud Valley Temple Scenic Area

To go to the Cloud Valley Temple Scenic Area where Yungu Cable Car Station is locted,  one needs to turn left from the North Sea (Beihai) Hotel and go eastwards. Passing the Black Tiger Pine, visitors reach White Goose Ridge, and the beautiful and steep White Goose Peak stands in the left direction. White Goose Ridge is the terminal of the 2803.96 meters long cable car route between the Cloud Valley Temple and the North Sea. Traveling on the telpher gives one a bird's-eye view of the East Sea. Those who prefer to walk may go down the valley and enjoy the scenery on the way. Descending White Goose Ridge, one is greeted by numerous rocks of bizarre shapes around the brook as well as picturesque valley scene consisting of woods and springs. Passing the Fascination Pavilion, the Cloud Valley Temple is in sight.

Situated between Arhat Peak and Incense Burner Peak, the 890-meter high Cloud Valley Temple is half way between the North Sea and the Hot Spring along the mountain as well as the departure station of the cable car route to the North Sea. Tourists going both ways may stay at the hotels here. In particular, the Cloud Valley Hotel in the traditional local architectural style of the Ming Dynasty provides comfortable service for tourists. Here, one can also see the rare aged yellow Chinese fir and iron Chinese fir and enjoy the Yellow Mountains Maofeng, a famous local tea. Descending the mountain path to the left of the Cloud Valley Temple and going through the bamboo grove, tourists can watch the Nine Dragon Falls four kilometers away.

On the way back from the Cloud Valley Temple, one can stop to watch the pouring and thunderous Hundred Feet Warerfall at close distance before finally returning to the Hot Spring.

Cloud Valley Temple Scenic Area in Huangshan

Hot Spring Scenic Area

The Hot Spring of the Yellow Mountains of nationwide fame, was discovered and tapped more than a thousand years ago. Gushing forth from the foot of Purple Cloud Peak, it has never run dry during the most severe droughts nor overflooded during excessive rain. It is of a high-temperature carbonate type, with therapeutic effects for metabolic disorder, cardiovascular disease and malfunctions of digestive, nervous and motorial systems. Its clear water remains at 42 ºC all the year round.

Huangshan Mountain is the watershed of the two main rivers, Yangtze River and Qiantang River. The special geographic position has cultivated the development of 36 big canyons, the sources of 36 branches. Therefore, Huangshan is also famous for its waterfalls. And some famous ones are "Inverted V Falls (Renzi Falls)", "Hundred Feet Waterfall", and Nine Dragons Waterfall".

Six hundred and thirty meters above sea level, the Hot Spring has a large tourist complex, including the Hot Spring Hotel, Taoyuan Hotel, Xuanyuan Hotel, the Hot Spring Bath, the Postal Telecommunications Building, villas and tourist shops. The scenic area straddles the Peach Blossom Brook that flows between Purple Cloud Peak and Peach Blossom Peak. Across the brook are the Purple Cloud Bridge, the Scenery Watching Bridge, the Famous Spring Bridge and the White Dragon Bridge. Scattered around are the Fish Watching Pavilion, Falls Watching Pavilion and Peach Blossom Land Pavilion. Here one can watch Hundred Feet Spring and Inverted V Falls as well as Celestial Capital Peak, Lotus Peak, Cinnabar Peak and Purple Cloud Peak. Going up along the brook, one will see such scenic spots as Roaring Lion Rock, Dragon Head Rock, Tiger Head Rock, the Red Well, Intoxicated Rock, Sword Testing Rock as well as Green Dragon Pool, White Dragon Pool, Three Folding Spring and Ringing String Spring.

Departing from the Hot Spring, travelers can take two routes for mountain sightseeing: One (Western Steps) is to ascend the imposing and steep front mountain and then descend the picturesque back mountain and then return to the Hot Spring. The other (Eastern Steps) is just to take the opposite route.

Huangshan Hot Spring Scenic Area

Hot Spring in Mount Huangshan