4-Day Huangshan Classic Tour with Ancient Villages from Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai - Huangshan by Bullet Train
   Tunxi Ancient Street, Hu Kaiwen Ink-stick Factory (L)

   AM: You will be picked up by Shanghai local driver at your Shanghai downtown hotel and then transferrred to catch a high speed train to Huangshan. After about 3 hours train ride, you will finally get to charming Huangshan. When you arrive at Huangshan North Railway Station, your local driver will greet you at the exit of the train station by holding a name sign and transfer you to your downtown hotel. Before getting off the train, please double check your belongings to ensure you have collet all your stuff.

   Noon: After check in at hotel, you will have a lunch at a local restaurant.

   PM: Head to Tunxi Ancient Street where you will find many ancient Hui style architectures and learn the knowledge from your tour guide. Next site you will visit is the Hu Kaiwen Ink-stick Factory which was founded by Hu Kaiwen in 1765 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty to see how the ink stick is made. Ink stick is one of the four treasures of Chinese study (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper), and the best ink stick in China comes from Anhui Province, the home of Huagnshan Mountain. Finally you will be dropped off at your hotel. Have a good rest tonight.

   Accommodation: Huangshan city local 4 stars hotel

   

2. Day 2: Huangshan
   Cloud Valley Temple, Mt. Huangshan (B + L)

   Today your Huangshan Mountain tour will officially begin! Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby after breakfast and drive about 1 hour to the mountain.

   Upon arrival, you will take the shuttle bus to Cloud Valley Temple and then take a cable car up the mountain. Then hike to enjoy the beautiful scenery at North Sea, Beginning-to-believe Peak, Cloud-dispelling Pavilion and West Sea Valley. There will be many staircases that go up and down, but all the tiredness of climbing will be gone when you see the breathtaking scenery. If you are still in good shape and time & weather permits, you can continue to Sky Sea Scenic Area to enjoy gorgeous sunset at Bright Summit and explore Flying-over Rock. Please do not watch your camera or phone while walking.

   Tonight you will stay at a hotel on the mountain so as to catch sunrise next day.

   Accommodation: Huangshan Mountain 4 stars hotel

   

3. Day 3: Huangshan
   Huangshan Mountain (B + L)

   Today you will get up in the early morning to witness the incredible sunset. When the mountain is still sleeping under starry sky, we will leave the hotel to occupy a vantage point and quietly wait for the thrilling moment. With the passage of time, the color of sky will change slowly. The sun finally show its head and the peaks are bathed in dazzling gold. After you enjoy the sunset, we will go back to hotel and have breakfast. Then move on to explore Lion Peak which got its name from the look like a crouching lion. You will visit Dawn Pavilion and see an interesting rock called “Stone Monkey Watching Sea”. Next we will hop on cable car and descend the mountain and meet the driver at mountain foot. You will be transferred back to Huangshan city afterwards.

   Accommodation: Huangshan city local 4 stars hotel

   

4. Day 4: Huangshan Departure
   Hongcun Village, Xidi Ancient Village (B + L)

   AM: Meet your guide and driver at your hotel lobby in the morning after breakfast and check out as you will take departure train directly after the tour. Please pack your belongings in advance.

   We will visit two special ancient villages today. More than 800-year-old, Hongcun Village is a typical representative of Hui-style building, mainly in black, white and grey colors. It was listed as World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. You will see many original residences from Ming and Qing dynasties here, among which Chengzhi Hall is an architectural masterpiece and enjoys the name of “Folk Forbidden City”. It has a lot of complex wood carvings with great artistic value. We will also stroll along the South Lake and absorb in the picturesque scenery.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Then move on to explore the ancient houses and 99 cobblestone-paved maze-like lanes in Xidi Ancient Village. When you arrive at the village, a magnificent archway, Hu Wenguang Memorial Archway, will stare at you at the entrance. The archway, built in the Ming Dynasty, is over 400 years old and has become a landmark of the village and a witness of the village’s history. You will marvel at the delicate stone carvings on it and how sturdy it is, still in good condition after so many years.

   After saying goodbye to the village, your guide and driver will transfer you to the train station for high speed train back to Shanghai city. Still, there is a Shanghai local driver will pick you up from Shanghai Train Station to your Shanghai hotel. Our service will end here. Wish you a pleasant journey.