Wuhu Huangshan Four-Day Tour

On the third day, we finally prepared to climb Huangshan. Since we needed to book tickets for Tiandu Peak offline, we stayed near the Xiaoyao Transfer Point, where there were fewer people and it was easier to make a reservation. We got up just after 5 a.m., left around 6 a.m., and arrived at the reservation window before 6:30 a.m. to wait for the staff to start work (remember to wait in the two left columns). After exchanging the tickets and securing the Tiandu Peak reservation, we just managed to get the last seat on the first shuttle bus. At 6:50 a.m., we took the cable car up the mountain from Yuping Cableway. Initially, we considered starting from Yungu Cableway because many guides said it was less tiring, but since Tiandu Peak is closed after 3 p.m. and we were worried about time, we played it safe and started from the front mountain. We followed the route Yuping Cableway - Welcoming Pine - Tiandu Peak - Aoyu Peak - Bright Summit - Flying Rock - West Sea Grand Canyon - Shixin Peak. Setting out early, we found the weather was clear and sunny, which was exciting. We thought that after the rain, we would definitely see a vast sea of clouds once we got on the mountain, but the wind was too strong, and there was none. Feeling disappointed, when climbing Tiandu Peak, we saw some clouds in the distance, which was better than nothing. Along the way, there were strange rocks and pine trees, but the up-and-down stairs were exhausting. When heading to the West Sea Grand Canyon, we finally saw the sea of clouds and were thrilled, haha. However, the wind was still strong. On the loop through the Grand Canyon, some clouds were blown apart and spread out, creating a misty scene that was hard to see through. Although it wasn’t the solid sea of clouds I imagined, the wind-blown swirling clouds created a different kind of beauty. It was my first time seeing a sea of clouds, and it was worth the trip! One downside was that in the afternoon at the West Sea Grand Canyon, photos were backlit. I feel that starting from the back mountain, going to the West Sea Grand Canyon, and then to the front mountain could avoid this backlighting issue. I originally thought the back mountain would be easy to climb since it’s mostly flat, but after leaving the West Sea Grand Canyon around 3:10 p.m., it took nearly until 5 p.m. to reach Yungu Cableway. After a day of intense walking, when I finally climbed to the back mountain cable car, my legs were trembling. At the end, I thought after visiting Shixin Peak it would be a short walk to the cable car, but there was still a long climb ahead. I was about to collapse, dragging my exhausted legs, but I barely made it to Yungu Cableway before 5 p.m. If you need to catch a high-speed train, be sure to leave enough time. After taking the cable car, you still have to walk a bit to catch the shuttle bus, which waits for passengers. The bus ride to Xiaoyao Creek Transfer Point takes about 20 minutes, and then about 25 minutes to the South Gate. I booked a car through the hotel that picked me up directly and took me to Huangshan North Station for 30 yuan per person, the same price as the bus but more convenient. I got on the cable car around 4:55 p.m., and the driver helped me get my luggage from the hotel. He picked me up near Xiaoyao Creek Transfer Point at 5:40 p.m. and drove straight to Huangshan North Station, arriving around 6:20 or 6:30 p.m. I had booked a 7:05 p.m. high-speed train back to Xuancheng, which was just perfect timing. After climbing Huangshan, be sure to stretch on the same day, or else, like me, your legs will be sore to death on the second and third days 😭.