National park · China
Huangshan黄山
Give Huangshan two days: sleep on the mountain, walk the West Sea and one summit at dawn, and take the Yungu cable car up and the Yuping car car down; skip it if you have one day and no weather window.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
161 km² (62 sq mi)62 sq mi (161 km²)
approximate
Established
1982
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 161 km² (62 sq mi)62 sq mi (161 km²)
- Scenic area boundary figures vary by source; about 160 km² is the commonly cited core (check).
- Established
- 1982
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Huangshan is a granite massif of 36 named peaks above 1,800 m in southern Anhui, on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1990. The trails are stone and concrete stairways with railings, not wilderness routes: the Eastern Steps from Yungu take 2–3 hours up, the Western Steps from Mercy Light Temple about 14 km and 6–7 hours. The point of the trip is dawn and dusk above the cloud line, so the decision is whether to pay for a summit bed or accept a day trip from Tangkou. Lotus Peak and Celestial Capital Peak open and close on a five-year rotation, and the north and northwest trails usually shut in winter.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1990Mount Huangshan, mixed cultural and natural listing.
Size and age
161 km² (62 sq mi)62 sq mi (161 km²) · national park since 1982
Scenic area boundary figures vary by source; about 160 km² is the commonly cited core (check).
Why go
- Granite spires with pines growing out of bare rock, the landscape Chinese painting has copied for centuries.
- A dawn above the cloud sea, which forms most reliably after rain or snow when valleys hold cloud overnight.
- Stairways and three cableways mean you can reach 1,800 m without technical climbing.
- A night on the summit puts you at the viewpoints before the cable-car crowds arrive.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanIce on steps; north and northwest trails closed; many hotels shut
- FebCold, icy mornings; snow spikes sold on the mountain
- MarThaw, fewer people, cloud common
- AprMild, clear spells, rhododendron in flower
- MayWarm and green; book summit beds early
- JunRainy season; steps wet, views often clouded
- JulHot and wet; domestic holiday crowds
- AugWettest month; typhoon tails reach Anhui
- SepRain eases; cloud sea after storms
- OctDry, clear, the classic month; very busy
- NovClear and cold; thinner crowds
- DecIce and closures; some hotels closed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macaques on the walkwaysAll year · Do not feed them and do not hold eye contact; they grab bags. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Rhododendron in flowerApr–May | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Cloud sea forming over the valleysMar–Apr, Sep–Nov · Most likely after rain or snow, when valleys trap cloud overnight. | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Ice on the upper stepsDec–Feb · Dangerous in the morning; cheap spikes are sold on the mountain. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Huangshan North railway station
High-speed rail from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing and Guangzhou; then bus or taxi about 1 h to Tangkou.
1–1.5 h from station to Tangkou
Open the page →
From Huangshan City (Tunxi)
Bus from the long-distance station to Tangkou, or taxi ¥100–200 (≈ US$14–30).
1 h
From Hangzhou
Direct bus to Tangkou, less frequent than buses to Huangshan City.
3–3.5 h
From Shanghai
High-speed rail to Huangshan North, or a direct long-distance bus.
3–4 h by rail
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| South — Tangkou and the cable cars | Tourist distribution centre, shuttle buses, Yuping and Yungu cable-car bases, hot springs. | Open; only authorised shuttle buses may drive into the scenic area. |
| Summit area — Beihai and Bright Top | Hotels, the main viewpoints and the shortest walks between them. | Open with a ticket; walkways lit in places. |
| West Sea | The deep gorge west of the summit, reached by walkway or the funicular. | Open; the link between Fairy Bridge and West Sea is closed (check). |
| North and northwest | Taiping cableway from Huangshan District, and the obscure Fairy Bridge route. | North open in season; northwest often closed in winter, no bus service. |
Sketch map
- 1Tangkou tourist distribution centre · Ranger station≈30.093, 118.183Map ↗
- 2Ciguang Pavilion (Mercy Light Temple) · Gate≈30.108, 118.168Map ↗
- 3Yuping cable car base · Ranger station≈30.104, 118.165Map ↗
- 4Yungu cable car base · Ranger station≈30.124, 118.189Map ↗
- 5Beihai summit hotels · Sleep≈30.144, 118.165Map ↗
- 6Bright Top (Guangding) · Summit≈30.140, 118.165Map ↗
- 7Taiping cableway base · Ranger station≈30.175, 118.156Map ↗
- 8Northwest entrance (Fairy Bridge route) · Gate≈30.135, 118.125Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation; summit walkways are stepped and distances on the ground are longer than they look.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scenic area entrance (peak season) | CNY 190–230 (≈ US$30–35) | person | 2026 estimate; off-season rates are lower (check). |
| Yungu or Yuping cable car, one way | CNY 80–100 (≈ US$12–14) | person | 2026 estimate; Taiping cableway on the north side is similar (check). |
| West Sea funicular, one way | CNY 80–100 (≈ US$12–14) | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Tangkou shuttle bus to cable-car stations | CNY 19–30 (≈ US$3–5) | person | 2026 estimate; only these buses may enter the scenic area. |
| Summit dorm bed | CNY 200–400 (≈ US$30–60) | bed | 2026 estimate; doubles run far higher. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Scenic area ticket permit or guide
Summit hotel check-in permit or guide
Northwest Fairy Bridge route no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥190–230≈ US$30–35
- CN¥80–100≈ US$12–14
- CN¥80–100≈ US$12–14
- CN¥19–30≈ US$3–5
- CN¥200–400≈ US$30–60
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Mount Huangshan before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on the walkways
- Do not climb past railings or onto closed rock; rescues on the granite are slow.
- Peak closures
- Lotus Peak and Celestial Capital Peak alternate on roughly five-year cycles; check which is open before you plan a route.
- Winter closures
- The more dangerous trails, including Celestial Capital Peak and the north and northwest ascents, normally close in winter.
- Litter and fires
- No fires; carry rubbish down. Crews clear snow, leaves and garbage from the walkways daily.
- Drones
- Not allowed in the scenic area without permission (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Beihai Hotel
Summit hotel central to the main viewpoints and sunrise walks; doubles from roughly ¥700 (check).
In the park
Shilin Hotel
Summit hotel popular with photographers; dorms and doubles.
In the park
White Goose Hotel
Usually the cheapest summit option, between Yungu cableway and Bright Top; has refused foreign guests in the past (check).
Near the park
Tangkou guesthouses
Cheap rooms at the foot of the mountain, around ¥80 and up; you miss sunrise.
Near the park
Tunxi (Huangshan City)
Hostels and hotels near the old street, airport and railway stations.
Safety
Ice on steps in winter high
Long descents on stone stairs medium
Macaques medium
Fog and lost views low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Three cableways reach the summit area, but walkways between viewpoints are stepped and steep.
- The Tangkou shuttle buses and cable-car stations are the practical route for travellers who cannot climb; summit hotels are reached by steps.
Visiting lightly
- Carry your own water bottle and refill where possible; bottled water is carried up by porters and priced accordingly.
- Stay on marked walkways to protect the pines rooted in rock faces.
- Take the shuttle bus rather than pressing for private vehicle access, which is not allowed inside the scenic area.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Huangshan?
Peak-season scenic area entry is around ¥190–230 per person (2026 estimate), with lower off-season rates. Add ¥80–100 each way for a cable car and ¥19–30 for the Tangkou shuttle bus. A summit dorm bed is roughly ¥200–400.
What are the best hikes in Huangshan?
The Western Steps from Mercy Light Temple are the scenic ascent, about 14 km and 6–7 hours. The Eastern Steps from Yungu are easier at 2–3 hours. On top, the West Sea walkway is the best short circuit, and the walk out to a sunrise viewpoint from the Beihai hotels takes under an hour.
When is the best time to visit Huangshan?
April, May, October and November give the best mix of clear skies and walkable steps. The cloud sea is most likely after rain or snow, so March and September can pay off. January and February bring ice and trail closures; June to August is wet and crowded.
Should I sleep on the mountain?
Yes if you want sunrise and sunset. Summit hotels are expensive and several close in winter, but a night up there puts you at the viewpoints before the first cable cars arrive. Tangkou at the foot is cheap but you miss the best light.
Can I climb Huangshan without a cable car?
Yes. Both southern routes are stone stairways: the Eastern Steps take 2–3 hours up, the Western Steps 6–7 hours. The descent is not much easier than the ascent, so allow more time than you think.
Is Lotus Peak open?
Lotus Peak and Celestial Capital Peak alternate on roughly five-year cycles, so one is usually closed. Check the current status before planning a route, and expect the north and northwest trails to be shut in winter.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go