Course Flow
Elevation Profile
The most efficient course: ride the cable car to the summit plateau and loop Huangshan's signature scenery — the pinnacles and pines of Shixin Peak and the cloud-sea lookouts of Beihai and Xihai. Gentle stone stairs throughout.
Route by Section
Take the shuttle from Tangkou to Yungu Temple, then the cable car (80 RMB one way) — about 8 minutes to the plateau (~1,670 m).
Stone stairs wind among pines and pinnacles to the Shixin Peak platform (1,683 m) — the origin of "after Huangshan, no other mountain matters."
View the Lion Peak cloud seas from the Beihai Hotel terraces; you can extend to the West Sea Grand Canyon entrance and back.
Return the same way to the cable-car station.
Gear
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Rain shell (fast-changing weather)
- Water & snacks
- Passport (real-name entry check)
Entry & fees
- Entry 190 RMB peak / 150 RMB winter
- Ticket valid 3 consecutive days
- Yungu cable car 80 RMB one way
Cautions
- Peak-season crowds & queues
- West Sea Canyon closed in winter
- Fog can hide all views
Course Flow
Elevation Profile
A 2-day course for Huangshan's essence: the sunrise. Ride a cable car up, overnight at a summit hotel (Beihai, Xihai, Baiyun…), watch dawn from Guangmingding (Bright Summit, 1,860 m), then descend via Yuping past the famous Greeting Pine.
Route by Section
Combine cable car and walking to reach the plateau; drop your bags at the hotel and explore nearby peaks in the afternoon.
See Feilai Stone (Rock Flown From Afar) and the Greeting Pine in afternoon light.
Walk from the hotel to Guangmingding (1,860 m) in the dark. Aim to arrive 40–50 minutes before sunrise — the crowds are large.
Descend past the Greeting Pine to Yuping cable car (90 RMB one way) or on foot.
Gear
- Headlamp
- Warm layers (freezing dawn)
- Knee braces
- Passport
Lodging & fees
- Summit hotels (Beihai/Xihai/Baiyun…)
- Entry 190 RMB · valid 3 days
- Yuping 90 / Yungu 80 RMB one way
Cautions
- Sunrise spots are packed
- Summit prices are high
- Winter closures for canyons & peaks
Course Flow
Elevation Profile
The climb up Tiandu Feng (Celestial Capital Peak, 1,829 m), Huangshan's most vertiginous summit — famous for near-80-degree stairways above the Greeting Pine. For ecological rest the peak alternates opening periods with Lotus Peak, and a real-name reservation is required. Not for those with heart conditions or fear of heights.
Route by Section
Start near the Greeting Pine. Early entry is the key to climbing without crowds.
Relentless steep stone stairs with handrails. Go slowly, holding the rails.
The final "ascending-to-heaven" section. The summit opens up to a 360-degree panorama.
Descend the same stairs — this stretch sees many slips. Face the slope and go slowly.
Gear
- Anti-slip hiking shoes
- Gloves
- Knee braces
- 1 L+ water
Reservation & fees
- Real-name reservation required (official mini-program)
- Entry 190 RMB
- Check which of Tiandu/Lotus is open
Cautions
- Near-vertical stairways
- Off-limits with vertigo
- May close in rain