Huangshan Local Lifestyle: Culture and Traditions

A great pleasure of traveling is experiencing local life. Huangshan is famous not only for its magnificent landscapes but also for keeping much of its traditional way of life. Taste some local food or drink a cup of Maofeng tea to experience the daily life of people in Huangshan. Of course, the beauty here cannot be fully described, and you need to visit Huangshan yourself to truly feel it.

The Hongcun Village in Huangshan

Local Life in Huangshan

Huangshan noodles with bamboo shoots & pork

A perfect day in Huangshan begins with a classic bowl of noodles featuring dried bamboo shoots and shredded pork. The beautiful environment here, with its fresh air and clean water, is perfect for gardening, doing handicrafts, or enjoying a leisurely trip. The entire city has an easygoing rhythm, giving people the time to fully appreciate life. For example, some older people gather in parks or public squares in the morning or after dinner to do square dancing (Guang Chang Wu).

An interesting cultural note is that the dialects in different parts of Huangshan are not the same. Even places that are close to each other can sound completely unlike each other (though you likely won't be able to distinguish them).

Although Huangshan is a fourth-tier city, its costs are similar to some second-tier cities like Xi'an. But when you visit Huangshan and see the beautiful scenery everywhere, you will feel that the money is well spent.

Huangshan Four Treasures of the Study

Huangshan inkstones

Huangshan is famous not just for its beautiful sights, but it is also a top place for making China's best Four Treasures of the Study. These four items are essential tools for traditional Chinese art and writing: the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

The writing brushes made in Huangshan are just the right softness and help write smoothly. The ink is a deep, shiny black color and lasts for many years. Xuan paper is made from the bark of the green sandalwood tree. It absorbs ink evenly, is very thin, and yet is strong and flexible. The inkstones are smooth, so they help make ink fast, and the ink does not dry out quickly. For many generations, people who love Chinese writing and painting have valued the Four Treasures of Study, which have become a big part of Huangshan's local culture.

Local Experiences You Can Try in Huangshan

Taste Local Flavors and Maofeng Tea

Huangshan shaobing

Eating local food is one of the best ways to experience the local life and culture in Huangshan.

Dried Bamboo Shoot and Shredded Pork Noodles is one of the classic local dishes in Huangshan. Bamboo shoots are a local specialty; fresh ones taste light and crisp, while dried ones are chewy. Adding a tea egg to the noodles is the highlight.

Huangshan shaobing (a crispy baked flatbread) is crunchy and tasty. They have a flaky crust made with lard and are usually stuffed with pork and Meigan Cai (a fermented then dried mustard green) that are a little spicy.

A local saying goes, "You can skip eating, but you cannot skip morning tea." Morning tea is usually light, refreshing, and has a mild scent. Huangshan Maofeng tea, one of China's Ten Great Teas, is the top choice. On cold winter nights, people often gather with relatives and friends around a warm stove to enjoy tea.

Outdoor Activities

Huangshan Mountain in China

Huangshan Scenic Area is the most popular place to visit, and most travelers come here to hike the mountains. The area is divided into the front and back mountains. We recommend starting from the back mountain via the Yungu Cableway; this route is gentler and easier to walk. Along the way, you'll pass sights like Shixin Peak and reach Bright Summit with less effort. Then descend via the Yuping Cableway on the front mountain to enjoy its iconic scenery while saving energy.

If you're interested in cultural experiences, Huangshan has many charming ancient villages. Chengkan and Xidi are ideal for easy walks, beautiful scenery, and a glimpse of local life. For a more active countryside experience, try cycling from Hongcun Village to the Mukeng Bamboo Sea. It is a wonderful ride with fresh air and relaxing views.

Traditional Handicraft Making

Make scented pendants in Huangshan

There are many traditional handicrafts in Huangshan that you can try. For example, you can visit the Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory. Here, you can see how ink sticks are made and even join the process. You will mix the materials, crush them with a pestle, and press the ink into a wooden mold to make your own ink stick. You can also try making scented pendants. They are often made with sandalwood, which is said to help with relaxation.

If you enjoy drawing, making a fish lantern is a fun choice. You will build the frame and paint the outside. It is exciting to see the lantern slowly take shape. Huangshan is also known for its high-quality writing brushes. If you are interested, you can learn how to choose the hair, shape the brush, and tie it together. For calligraphy lovers, making a Huizhou brush by hand is a memorable experience.

Local Traditions in Huangshan

Enjoy Huangshan local performance

Huangshan still has many very special local traditions now. Huizhou weddings follow 9 steps, such as matchmaking, engagement gifts, and the wedding ceremony. Before the bride leaves her home, she has a special "face-threading" ritual (Kaimian), where fine hairs on her forehead are removed. This is seen as an important part of getting married. On the third day after the wedding, the couple visits the bride's parents, which is another key tradition.

During the Double Ninth Festival, Linxi Town near Tunxi holds a 3-day temple fair. On the 9th day of the 9th lunar month, people from nearby towns come to worship Zhou King Bodhisattva (Zhouwang Pusa). They also bring farm products and handmade goods to trade, and local opera is performed from evening until the next morning.

In Huangshan, people do more than race dragon boats at the Dragon Boat Festival. They also perform Zhongkui Dancing, where someone dresses as Zhongkui (a famous exorcist in Chinese folklore) and walks through the village to drive away bad spirits and protect the community.

Getting to Know the Local Lifestyle in Huangshan

Huangshan provides a comfortable and relaxed travel experience, letting you explore the local life and daily rhythm at your own pace. China Odyssey Tours can plan your trip based on your interests and needs, making your journey smooth and satisfying. Contact us now or send an email to trip@odynovotours.com to start your Huangshan local life experience.