Tour Code: sh-35
Departure Date: Daily
Features: Private Tour Guide Private Car & Driver Authentic Local Restaurants
Discover the cultural, religious, and natural highlights of Huangshan, a unique place to see countless examples of changes since ancient China. Coming from Shanghai, we will take you to the breathtaking Yellow Mountain range as well as visit a handful of local villages that give a glimpse into how life has more or less always been in this region.
Arriving from Shanghai, you will see that this smaller city is different from China's Second City in every way. We will meet you at the Huangshan North Station and take you to your hotel where you can rest and relax as you wish for the rest of the day.
The granite peaks of the Yellow Mountains are legendary throughout China. The sunrises here are unlike any others in the country, the ridges are beautifully touched by clouds throughout the year, and the verdant pine trees create a soft contrast to the harshness of the rockeries. It is no wonder, then, that more than 15 million visitors come to see Huangshan every year. There are many trails of varying skill levels and grades, and on your way up the mountains from your tour, be sure to enjoy the views via Yungu cable car for a glimpse into this stunning natural world.
With a composition made up of various lakes, the steeply rising background of Mount Huangshan, and more than 150 old buildings dating back to the classic Ming and Qing Dynasties, it is not a surprise that Hongcun Village has been honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the setting for many scenes in the famously stunning film, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” the village is a boon for those who love feasts for the eyes. The town is laid out in the shape of an ox, and numerous artists and students continue to arrive and be entirely transfixed by its beauty.
For a special view of Hongcun Village, enjoy lunch at local restaurant. The dishes served are delicious and traditional, making for a complete experience in this quaint corner of China.
Part of Huangshan city, Shexian is a most charming area known for its arches. On your tour of Shexian, you will get to see top examples that hail from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Some are made of wood, others of stone or other fine materials. Your guide will also explain how ancient Chinese feudal society was integral to the existence of these graceful arches.
Next you will visit the Bao Family Garden, a once-private garden commissioned by the famous businessman. It stands to this day as a prime example of classical Chinese garden structure along with the Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou. The bonsai gardens are of particular extravagance here, with green natural highlights that pair well with the more serious manmade arches you saw earlier.
After lunch, continue your day with a visit to Chengkan Village also near the city of Huangshan. More than 1,800 years old, the village has kept the shape and layout that it always had, modeled to the theory of the Book of Changes from the Ming Dynasty. Your guide will make sure to show you Haolun Hall, a typical example of Huizhou architecture and a magnificent ancestral temple still in existence today.
The last stop of the day will be the Qian Kou Ancient Residence House, also of the Ming Dynasty, a pinnacle era of Chinese construction and architecture. Most interesting in this entire area is the fact that the beautiful buildings here were actually relocated from their original settings after the Chinese government realized their importance in historical preservation. There are 3 ancestral temples, 2 arch bridge, 1 pavilion, 1 stone memorial arch, and 4 residences in total in the Qian Kou complex. Finally, the background featuring Mount Zixia rounds out the entire panorama.
This day, we will say goodbye and take you back to Huangshan North Station for your train back to Shanghai.
We use different hotels for different tour classes while the itinerary is the same. Deluxe Class is usually staying at a 5-star hotel, Superior Class at a 4-star hotel and Tourist Class at a 3-star level hotel. The prices for one person are based on sharing twin hotel rooms with another guest. A supplement is necessary if you want to book single rooms. And the prices may rise during national holidays, such as the National Day (September 30th to October 6th) and Chinese New Year (late January or early February)
Sally Guo
Travel Advisor