Let’s take a trip together to one of the most incredible landmarks in Asia. In this article, we offer you a journey into the heart of the Yellow Mountain in China.
Picture by David Magalhães on Unsplash
China has numerous incredible places to explore, and we have already discussed some of them, including the best places to visit and some hidden gems worth checking out. However, we are going to delve deeper into one of China’s most iconic and mystical mountain ranges: Huangshan (黄山), commonly known as the Yellow Mountain.
You’ve probably already seen some photos, and it really looks like a very scenic experience, but there is much more there. This landmark has had a very important place in Chinese myth, philosophy, and art, and that’s what we want to share with you today.
But before we start our trip to the Yellow Mountain in China, you’ll need a way to stay connected and share all the photos and videos you take there with your friends and family. Use this trip to try Yoho Mobile’s free eSIM! See how easy it is to install, and use the promo code YOHO12 for 12% off on future trips!
Why travel to Huangshan, the Yellow Mountain in China?
Let’s start with a very easy question: why would you want to travel to the Yellow Mountain in China? Most travelers, when questioned, give a few of the following reasons.
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Stunning Natural Beauty: The area is incredibly beautiful, with rugged granite peaks, a surreal atmosphere with the mist-covered valleys, and the impossibly ancient pines that cling to the rocks. If you go early enough, you can see the sun emerge from a sea of clouds.
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Walk through living Chinese Art: You don’t have to be erudite to recognize these mountains in plenty of classical Chinese paintings, poetry, and calligraphy. For many people, walking in the trails feels like stepping into a painting.
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A place of spiritual reflection: As humans, we have a spiritual connection with tall mountains, and the Yellow Mountain is not an exception. It has been a sacred place for many centuries now, as you can see from the many temples and inscriptions, and it’s still a place for peace, contemplation, and inspiration.
Why do we mythologize mountains?
The Yellow Mountain is far from being the only mountain that’s tied to local legends and revered as a sacred place. For example, there’s Mount Olympus in Greece, where the gods lived, Mount Fuji in Japan, a symbol of beauty and destruction, and Machu Picchu in Peru, a sacred place that reveres the mountain and the spirit that protected it.
This universal phenomenon comes from the fact that mountains are seen as thresholds to the spiritual world, being so close to the heavens that either gods, ancestors, or spirits inhabited them. If you’ve ever climbed a mountain, you know that it’s a physically and mentally demanding task, which often leads to self-discovery and spiritual purification.
Photo by Sherry Xu on Unsplash
The legends tied to the Yellow Mountain
The very name of the mountain comes from an old Chinese legend about the Yellow Emperor. It is said that the Yellow Emperor, a mythological ancestor of the Chinese people, went to the mountain in search of the elixir of immortality.
He worked hard, night and day, and from his alchemical work, the mountain got its hot springs and medicinal herbs. Finally, when he succeeded, he ascended to heaven from the peak of the mountain.
But that isn’t the only legend tied to the mountain; it’s also said that immortal beings visit the mountain disguised as travelers or hermits. There’s also a pine, known as the “Greeting Guest Pine”, that bows respectfully to welcome visitors, and a rock that resembles a monkey; it’s believed to be a human so devoted that it was transformed into a rock. They now await all eternity, looking at the cloud sea, for a loved one who might return one day.
What is the Sea of Clouds?
The “Sea of Clouds” is one of the most mesmerizing natural phenomena that you can admire in the mountains. It’s a defining characteristic of the mountain, and one that adds a great deal to its mystical presence, having captivated travelers, poets, and painters for centuries.
It’s, in very few words, a rolling layer of mist and clouds that often settles below the peaks, covering the valleys and lower mountain slopes. From the peak, it creates the illusion of standing before a white ocean with granite peaks emerging like islands.
Less-traveled Trails in the Yellow Mountain
Most first-timers hike trails like the West Sea Canyon and the classic Sunrise Peak to Lotus Peak Path. Both these routes are incredibly beautiful and great options, but they’re also pretty popular and can get crowded during peak season.
If you’re looking for less-traveled trails, here are a few suggestions for you.
Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash
The Eastern Steps
This is one of the less frequented ascents on Huangshan’s east side. It’s a more rugged and challenging hike, so it’s not really suited for beginners, but advanced hikers can have a great time. This trail takes you through forested slopes and unique rock formations. It’s a great alternative to the more transited Western routes, as it feels more wild and natural.
Along the way, you can find quite a few treasures, like hidden hot springs that are perfect for a little relaxing before or after the hike. There are also some ancient stone carvings that bear inscriptions made centuries ago by unknown authors, as well as some rare bird species and endemic plants that are less common in other trails.
The Western Plank Road
A significant part of this trail is well-known to tourists and travelers, but there are also quieter sections that many people often overlook. You have to be pretty comfortable with heights to take this path, as it’s famous for its dramatic cliffside walkways.
If you take the trail completely, you can get breathtaking views of the sea of clouds with its jagged peaks, and without the crowds! There are also some old temple ruins that you can explore, with lots of carved inscriptions.
Photo by MIGUEL BAIXAULI on Unsplash
The Yuping Scenic Area Trails
The word Yuping means “Jade Screen”, and this trail is often overlooked by tourists since it’s a bit off the main circuit. Unlike other trails, which are more dramatic with lots of peaks and cliffs, this trail takes you around serene valleys, crystal-clear streams, and gently rolling granite formations.
It’s actually better suited for beginners, as it offers a gentler hiking experience, without losing out on natural beauty. It also provides access to small villages and plantations, so you can combine the natural views of the mountain with a cultural exploration of the area.
Where to Stay in the Yellow Mountain
Some people choose to make their trip to Huangshan a day trip, but if you plan to explore its lesser-known trails and soak more deeply in the mountains’ magic, staying for the night is highly recommended.
Tunxi Ancient Town
This is the most common area where most travelers base themselves when visiting the Mountain. Tunxi is a historical town at the foot of the mountain, so it’s about a 1:00 to 1:45 hour drive from the scenic areas, but it offers a wide range of accommodations.
If you stay there, you can choose between a budget guest house and boutique hotels, and you also get easy access to transportation that will take you to the Yellow Mountain scenic area. As a plus, the city also has a rich cultural atmosphere with ancient streets, houses, and traditional markets to explore.
Mount Huangshan Summit Hotels
Now, if you want the iconic experience of sleeping over the clouds, there are plenty of hotels right on the mountain peaks where you can stay. Don’t expect a luxurious stay, as these are rustic and basic hotels. Their most appealing characteristic is their incredible atmosphere and the fact that they put you within walking distance of incredible spots to see the sunrise and sunset.
Among the most recommended hotels, you’ll find Baihai Hotel, the most visited one, with simple rooms and spectacular views. Xihai Hotel, with more accessibility to the Western Sea Canyon and the cliff trails, and Paiyunlou Hotel, near Paiyun Pavilion.
Village stays around the mountain
If you value a cultural experience over modern amenities or a scenic stay at the very top of the mountain, you can choose a quieter stay in the villages near the mountain’s base. This option provides the opportunity to immerse yourself in the ancient village life and architecture, allowing you to explore local crafts, tea culture, and rural landscapes.
Most options are guesthouses, such as Hongcun Wang House Guesthouse, which combines traditional style with modern comforts, or Xidi Ancient Village Inn, a family-run inn that offers a truly authentic experience and the opportunity to try local cuisine.
Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash
Fun Facts about the Yellow Mountain
Huangshan has quite a few curious and little-known facts that aren’t usually featured in travel brochures. For some people, they might not seem important, but we believe they enrich the travel experience, bringing more meaning to the natural surroundings and history.
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Some of the pines that you see clinging to the cliffs and growing in the cracks in the rocks are estimated to be between 800 and 1500 years old. Because they grow slowly and adapt to life in those impossible conditions, they are considered a living symbol of endurance.
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There is a Stairway to Heaven in the Yellow Mountain, and it’s absolutely massive. We are talking about over 60,000 stone steps that were carved by hand over the span of hundreds of years, and you can still use them today to reach the sacred peaks. But most people use the cable cars.
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It’s such a powerful natural site that it was the first to be painted, photographed, and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Even considering China‘s long history that it’s pretty impressive.
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If you take some time to study poems from the Tang and Song Dynasties, you’ll find a few examples about solitary pine trees or rocks on the Yellow Mountain. Poets didn’t merely describe nature, but used it as a means of meditation about life, solitude, beauty, and our place in the cosmos.