Ultimate Guide to Qiyun Mountain!

Anhui Qiyun Mountain Travel Guide Located in Xiuning County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, Qiyun Mountain is one of China's four sacred Taoist mountains, renowned for its Danxia landform, cliff carvings, and profound Taoist culture. It has been praised as "Huangshan's White Mountain, the Finest South of the Yangtze" and "The Peerless Scenic Wonder, the Foremost Mountain of Jiangnan." With an elevation of 585 meters, though not particularly high, its bizarre peaks, strange rocks, and misty clouds create a fairyland-like atmosphere, making it perfect for short leisure trips. I. Basic Information - **Ticket Price**: Peak season (March 1 - November 30) 75 RMB, off-season (December 1 - February 28) 55 RMB. - **Opening Hours**: 8:00-17:00 (Monday to Friday), 7:30-17:30 (Saturday & Sunday). - **Best Season**: Year-round—spring for flowers, summer for escaping the heat, autumn for red leaves, and winter for snowy landscapes. - **Sea of Clouds**: Qiyun Mountain boasts the world's lowest-altitude sea of clouds, best viewed from 7:00 to 9:00 in the morning. II. Transportation Guide - **High-Speed Rail**: After arriving at Huangshan North Station, take Bus No. 1 (about 40 minutes, 2 RMB) or a taxi (about 30 minutes, 120 RMB). - **Self-Driving**: Navigate to "Qiyun Mountain Scenic Area Parking Lot." - **Bus**: Take a bus from Tunxi Bus Station (about 1 hour). III. Main Attractions 1. **Yuehua Heavenly Street**: A cluster of Huizhou-style buildings on cliffs, often shrouded in mist like a fairyland. 2. **Yuxu Palace**: A Taoist temple embedded in the cliff, its red walls contrasting beautifully with the Danxia landform. 3. **Incense Burner Peak**: A solitary peak with a golden incense burner at its summit, especially spectacular when clouds rise after rain. 4. **Taisu Palace**: A sacred Taoist site where Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty prayed for offspring. 5. **Fangla Fortress**: A steep, isolated peak ideal for drone photography. 6. **Danxia Corridor**: A magnificent stretch of Danxia landform with towering red cliffs. 7. **Dengfeng Bridge**: A Ming Dynasty ancient bridge with nine arches and ten piers, spanning the Heng River—the starting point for mountain hikes. IV. Recommended Itineraries **One-Day Trip**: - **Morning**: Take the Yuehua Cable Car up (8 minutes) → Wangxian Tower → Longevity Character Rock → Zhenxian Cave → Yuehua Heavenly Street. - **Afternoon**: Taisu Palace → Small Pot Heaven → Yuxu Palace → Ziyun Pass → Five Elders Peak → Fangla Fortress → Danxia Corridor → Take the cable car down. **Two-Day Trip**: - **Day 1**: Arrive → Dengfeng Bridge → Heng River Bamboo Rafting → Night tour of Qiyun Town (watch the Heng River Dragon Dance or Fish Lantern Festival). - **Day 2**: Cable car up → Hike to main attractions → Return. V. Unique Experiences 1. **Heng River Bamboo Rafting**: Drift along the river while admiring the picturesque landscapes—great for photos. 2. **Taoist Culture**: Visit Taisu Palace and Yuxu Palace to immerse in centuries-old Taoist traditions. 3. **Intangible Cultural Heritage**: Heng River Dragon Dance (Tuesday-Sunday, 18:30-20:00) and Fish Lantern Festival (Wednesday-Sunday). 4. **Hanfu Photography**: Capture wuxia-style photos at Yuehua Heavenly Street, Yuxu Palace, or on bamboo rafts. VI. Accommodation Recommendations 1. **Free Home Treehouse**: The only standalone treehouse in East China, perfect for families or friends. 2. **Xiangfurui Resort Hotel**: Huizhou-style with some rooms offering mountain views. 3. **Yuehua Street Homestays**: Experience cliffside Huizhou dwellings in a "cloud fairyland." VII. Food & Local Products - **Specialties**: Huizhou fermented tofu, stinky mandarin fish, bamboo shoot braised pork. - **Souvenirs**: Baiyue Huangya tea, Xiangfeng tea, bamboo crafts. VIII. Tips 1. **Attire**: Wear comfortable sports shoes; dress warmly in autumn/winter. 2. **Gear**: Bring enough water, snacks, and a hiking pole to save energy. 3. **Cable Car Hours**: Operates from 8:15 to 17:00—mind the return time. 4. **Photography**: Best light at dawn/dusk; sea of clouds often appears after rain. Qiyun Mountain blends natural wonders with cultural heritage, appealing to Taoist enthusiasts, photographers, and families alike. Plan ahead with this guide and embark on your wuxia adventure!