Top 5 Huangshan Itineraries: How Many Days to Spend & Sample Routes

Huangshan is one of China's top five famous mountains and a must-visit destination for hikers and nature lovers. When traveling here, you can follow the winding stone trails to admire the awe-inspiring peaks and sea of clouds while also exploring nearby ancient Hui-style villages. A classical Huangshan trip usually takes 2-3 days, but the tour plan can be adjusted depending on your schedule. Read on to find the best Huangshan itinerary that works for you.

Mount Huang with a sea of clouds

How Many Days for a Huangshan Tour

Mount Huang in Anhui Province

For visiting Huangshan, we highly recommend a 3-day itinerary that includes the mountain's top highlights and nearby ancient villages like Hongcun, Xidi, or Wuyuan. If you're short on time or simply want to focus on Huangshan Scenic Area, a 2-day trip is also great to enjoy the stunning mountain views.

We can help plan an ideal itinerary based on your interests and provide a private guide and car service throughout the trip, ensuring you have a wonderful Huangshan adventure.

3-Day Itinerary: Huangshan & Ancient Village Charm

• Keywords: Beautiful Mountain scenery, Hui-style architectural beauty

This 3-day itinerary is the most popular route to explore both the beautiful mountain scenery of Mt. Huangshan and the historic Hui-style architectural beauty in Hongcun Village.

Day 1: Huangshan Arrival

We suggest you arrive in Huangshan in the daytime. After arrival, enjoy your time exploring Hongcun village, Tunxi street, and Huangshan food.

Day 2 & 3: Explore Huangshan Mountain

In these two days, you will take the cable car to Huangshan mountain and admire the top highlights, including Monkey Watching the Sea, Bright Summit, and the sea of clouds over the yellow mountains.

2-Day Huangshan Hiking Tour

Hongcun Village in Huangshan

• Suite for: Time-limited travelers, outdoor and hiking lovers

If your schedule is tight but you still want to experience the natural splendor of the Yellow Mountains, this 2-day itinerary is an excellent choice.

Day 1: Arrival and Exploring Mt. Huangshan

Arrive in Huangshan City early in the morning, and our local guide will meet you at the train station or airport. From there, you will head directly to the Huangshan Scenic Area. We recommend taking the Yungu Cableway up the mountain and exploring the highlights of the Beihai and Xihai scenic areas before checking into your hotel on the mountain.

Day 2: Sunrise View of Mt. Huangshan & Hongcun Village

Wake up early to enjoy a spectacular sunrise and the famous sea of clouds from the mountaintop. Then spend the morning visiting well-known sights such as Flying-Over Rock and the Greeting Guest Pine. Afterward, take the cable car down the mountain.

If you wish, you may also visit Hongcun Village after descending from Huangshan. After the visit, your private guide will escort you back to the train station or airport.

Please note that the West Sea Grand Canyon is closed from December to late March due to snowy conditions. Our guide will adjust the hiking route flexibly based on weather and your physical condition.

Shanghai & Huangshan: Modern City with a Natural Escape

Aerial view of Huangshan

• Suggest travel length: 6 days
• Keywords: Modern life, cultural experiences, natural wonders

Shanghai is a city that blends a modern skyline with historic Western-style buildings. If you want to enjoy both China's vibrant urban life and its stunning natural landscapes, we highly recommend this 6-day trip combining Shanghai and Huangshan. With convenient transport, it takes about 3 hours by high-speed rail from Shanghai to Huangshan.

Day 1 to 3: Experience Shanghai's Modern Skyline

Spend three days exploring Shanghai's top highlights, including The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Disneyland, and optional side trips to Zhujiajiao Water Town. The itinerary is fully customizable, and our travel advisor will design a personal plan based on your interests.

Day 4 to 6: Nature & Culture Escape in Huangshan

Spend two days in Huangshan to experience the beautiful mountain scenery of Yellow Mountain and the timeless beauty of Hongcun Village.

Huangshan & Wangxian Valley in 4 Days

Wangxian Valley in Shangrao, Jiangxi

• Suggested trip length: 4 Days
• Keywords: Photography enthusiasts, cliffside night views, Chinese culture lovers

If you are drawn to the fairy-tale cliffside scenery of Wangxian Valley, we recommend combining it with Huangshan. Huangshan is conveniently connected to Wangxian Valley by high-speed railway, with only 1 hour of travel time.

Day 1 & 2: Discover the Yellow Mountains

Begin your journey to Mt. Huangshan, one of China's most iconic mountain landscapes. Spend a night on the mountain to fully experience its dramatic peaks and seas of clouds, especially at sunrise and sunset.

After descending the mountain, take a high-speed train to Shangrao, the gateway city to Wangxian Valley.

Day 3 & 4: Leisure time at Wangxian Valley

Explore Wangxian Valley, known for its striking cliffside architecture and waterfalls cascading down steep rock faces. When evening falls, the valley transforms into a glowing wonderland.

You may choose to wear traditional Chinese clothing for photos, stroll through the old-style streets, watch folk performances such as traditional wedding ceremonies, or join a lively bonfire party to experience local culture up close.

Hangzhou & Huangshan: Poetic Landscapes

Wooden structure of a house in Nanping

• Suggest trip length: 5 days
• Keywords: West Lake, natural scenery

If you are drawn to Chinese tea culture and the serene beauty of West Lake, this 5-day journey combining Hangzhou and Huangshan offers a graceful blend of culture and nature.

Day 1 to 2: Experience Poetic Hangzhou

You will spend two days exploring Hangzhou's essential highlights, including West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and the Dragon Well Tea Plantation. After your visit, travel to Huangshan by high-speed rail, a quick and comfortable 1.5-hour journey.

Day 3 to 5: Huangshan and Nanping Ancient Village

Over the next three days, you can explore Huangshan at a relaxed pace. After hiking the iconic Yellow Mountains, continue to Nanping Ancient Village to experience authentic Huizhou life. You will take part in hands-on garden activities and try cooking traditional Anhui dishes in a classic Huizhou-style courtyard, offering a deeper connection to local culture and daily life.

If you have more time and would like to experience the full range of eastern China's landscapes, we can also design a customized itinerary that includes Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Huangshan, taking you from modern skylines to classical gardens and breathtaking mountain scenery.

Plan Your Huangshan Adventure with Us

Huangshan offers a memorable journey filled with rich culture and stunning mountain scenery. If you want an effortless Huangshan trip, simply visit our contact page or email us at trip@odynovotours.com. Our experienced travel experts can plan a customized itinerary for you, including a private guide and transfers, hotel stays, and other helpful services.