[World Heritage] What is Huangshan?｜A mystical mountain where immortals live!?

The World Heritage site “Huangshan” in Anhui Province, China, has long been regarded as a “fairyland” where immortals reside and has been considered a sacred place. Its fantastical scenery has inspired countless painters and poets throughout China’s long history.
Moreover, the charm of Huangshan is not only in its scenery; it is also packed with attractions as a tourist destination, such as hot springs. It is highly popular as a World Heritage site where many visitors can thoroughly enjoy their time.
This time, we will introduce Huangshan, where China’s mystical landscapes unfold.

What is Huangshan?

“Huangshan” is registered as both a World Cultural Heritage and a World Natural Heritage site. It is also designated as a scenic area in China and is counted among the top ten famous mountains of China, known for its extraordinary peaks.
Huangshan is located in Huangshan City in southern Anhui Province and consists of 72 peaks, with the main peak, Lotus Peak, standing at 1,864 meters. Lotus Peak, Bright Summit, and Heavenly Capital Peak are collectively called the “Three Peaks of Huangshan,” where visitors can enjoy mountain climbing.
According to legend, the mythical king, the Yellow Emperor, who appears in Chinese mythology, became an immortal in this place. Hence, it was named Huangshan, taking the “Huang” from the Yellow Emperor. The representative scenery of Huangshan is called “Four Wonders and Three Waterfalls.” The “Four Wonders” refer to the strange pines, oddly shaped rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs, while the “Three Waterfalls” refer to Renzi Waterfall, Hundred-Fathom Spring, and Nine Dragons Waterfall.
Deeply rooted in Chinese culture, Huangshan has long been called, “If you haven’t seen Huangshan, you cannot claim to have seen mountains,” making it a quintessential mountain of China.
Moreover, Huangshan has three ropeways, making it easy to ascend. The ropeway sections are: Yungu Temple to White Goose Ridge, Ciguang Pavilion to Jade Screen Tower, and Furong Ridge to Paiyun Pavilion. Since you can’t see all the scenic spots at once, using the ropeways efficiently for sightseeing is highly recommended!

Access to Huangshan

The nearest airport to the World Heritage site Huangshan is Huangshan Tunxi Airport, which has flights from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. It takes about 2 hours from Beijing and around 1 hour from Shanghai.
From the airport to Huangshan, first take an airport bus or taxi to downtown Huangshan City. To get to the Huangshan Scenic Area, take a bus bound for “Tangkou.” If you board a bus heading for “Taiping,” inform the driver that you will get off at Tangkou. It takes about 1 hour from downtown Huangshan to the entrance of the scenic area. Buses depart every 20 minutes. During crowded tourist seasons, taking a taxi is also a good option.

Recommended Point 1: The Three Great Waterfalls

Huangshan, a World Heritage site in China, is home to many bodies of water, including rivers, waterfalls, and lakes. Among them, the most famous are Renzi Waterfall, Hundred-Fathom Spring, and Nine Dragons Waterfall, known as the three great waterfalls of Huangshan.
Among these, the most popular is Nine Dragons Waterfall. The sight of several cascading falls truly resembles nine dragons. In winter, the falls freeze, creating a scenery that is rarely seen. The dynamic waterfalls are unique to the steep terrain of Huangshan, and their intensity is awe-inspiring.
Many of the springs contain clear water, exuding an ethereal fairyland atmosphere. As a place long loved by scholars and artists, Huangshan’s natural richness becomes truly apparent here.

Recommended Point 2: Jade Screen Scenic Area

The “Jade Screen Scenic Area” of Huangshan centers around Jade Screen Tower, with Lotus Peak and Heavenly Capital Peak nearby. Located between these two peaks, Jade Screen Tower is a sightseeing spot where you can enjoy many of Huangshan’s mystical views. It is a must-see location in the World Heritage site of Huangshan.
Near Jade Screen Tower, you will find famous pines such as “Welcoming Guest Pine,” “Seeing-off Guest Pine,” and “Accompanying Guest Pine.” These unique pines are a signature of Huangshan. Growing from the cracks in rocks, they not only showcase the vitality of the pines but also the artistic beauty of the combination of strange rocks and pines, which seems almost otherworldly. These pines are part of the “Four Wonders” of Huangshan, so make sure to take in these World Heritage views!
From Lotus Peak and Heavenly Capital Peak in the Jade Screen Scenic Area, you can also enjoy a panoramic view of the sea of clouds. The sea of clouds is another of the “Four Wonders,” and its beauty leaves many breathless. The best season to see the sea of clouds is from November to May. The ideal conditions are sunrise or sunset following a day of rain or snow. The sight of a snow-covered Huangshan with a sea of clouds is truly moving.

Recommended Point 3: Hot Spring Scenic Area

Hot springs are one of the “Four Wonders” of the World Heritage site Huangshan. Located at the first tourist spot upon entering the area, the hot springs boast a water output of about 400 tons per day and are maintained at a temperature of around 42°C.
Huangshan’s hot springs are open-air baths! It is delightful to soak in the hot springs while breathing the air of a fairyland. There are also Chinese-style baths, such as medicinal baths and jasmine baths. After fully enjoying the breathtaking views of Huangshan, descending the mountain leaves you physically exhausted. Soaking in the hot springs is the perfect way to recover and prepare for another day of fun sightseeing.

◎ Summary

We have introduced the World Heritage site Huangshan in China. It truly feels like a place where immortals could reside. When thinking of mountains in China, many people might picture scenery like that of Huangshan.
Why not try climbing Huangshan, which is renowned in China as “the best under heaven”? You will be rewarded with scenery unique to this World Heritage site!

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[World Heritage] What is Huangshan?｜A mystical mountain where immortals live!?