CHINA ADVENTURE CLUB JOURNEYS
Huangshan: China’s Living Heritage
Explore China Adventure Club journeysJourney at a glance
- Day 1 Arrival in Huangshan
- Day 2 Huangshan Hike
- Day 3 Huangshan Villages
- Day 4 Depart Huangshan
Savor the idyllic gems of rural Anhui province on this voyage into ancient China. You’ll visit historic villages once home to wealthy merchants and scholars, peer into the mist atop soaring Yellow Mountain (Huangshan), and brave the “bamboo sea” immortalized in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
About this Journey
Embark on a journey back in time in the UNESCO World Heritage villages of Anhui province, home to some of the most successful businessmen during the Ming Dynasty. While hard to believe today, these ancient stone villages on the banks of the Yangtze River were once important economic centers that facilitated trade between China and the outside world.
Explore the history and natural beauty of this area, where much of the original Ming and Qing dynastic architecture has been preserved. Nearby, the misty peaks of Huangshan, the Yellow Mountain, have inspired the brushstrokes of artists for generations. Experience times long gone by traveling through China’s living heritage.
Tour Highlights
- Experiencing what life in ancient China was like by wandering through old villages where traditional buildings from times long gone still stand
- Immersing in the ‘sea of clouds’ of Huangshan, where dramatic cliffs and ancient pines evoke the spirit of classical Chinese painting
- Getting hands-on with traditional crafts — weaving bamboo with a local artisan and decorating your own inkstick using mineral pigments
YOUR JOURNEY
Route Map
Select a route section to explore the map. Tap a stop for its location or use the directions link for the next leg. Flights, trains, cruises and hiking arrangements follow your itinerary.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Huangshan
Step off the plane or train in Huangshan and meet your local guide in the airport arrivals hall. They’ll be waiting to welcome you and will have your driver on standby, ready to whisk you off to your hotel for check-in (about 1 hour’s drive from airport to hotel). • Take a cable car up the eastern face of Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), followed by an easy 40-minute to one-hour hike at the top.
Day 2 Huangshan Hike
Along the Xihai Grand Canyon Circuit, hike across the western edge of Huangshan, find yourself immersed in one of the mountain’s most majestic sights: a ‘sea of clouds’ enveloping unique rock formations, stone peaks, and lush pine trees. The total circuit covers up to 15 kilometers and can take up to 6 hours depending on your preference. • Explore more on the mountain before taking a cable car down and transfer to your hotel to relax.
Day 3 Huangshan Villages
Bordered by 124 elegant and well-preserved traditional homes dating from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, Xidi Village was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. • Meet with a local artisan in Nanping Village to learn how to weave bamboo by hand, then get a chance to take one of these intricate souvenirs home. • Bike around Bishan village, which is over 1,400 years old. While time has turned some buildings to ruins, local artists and curators have begun to revitalize the little town. Stop by local sugar and tofu workshops to discover the local craft before winding your way through curved alleyways and out onto bucolic country roads. • Our last stop is Hongcun. With beautiful bodies of water and incredible architecture, it’s no surprise Ang Lee filmed Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon in the ancient town of Hongcun.
Please Note: Hongcun is an extremely popular tourist destination. Though there will undoubtedly be lots of tourists, a visit to Hongcun is well worth the crowds.
Day 4 Depart Huangshan
Visit the historic village of Chengkan, set against a backdrop of cobalt slopes and surrounded by ancient waterways. • For lunch, be welcomed into a local home and learn about their everyday life while enjoying dishes of local flavors. If interested, try your hand at preparing a dish or two with the host’s guidance. • After lunch, head to Tunxi where we will visit a local artisan who will show us the ancient ink-making process and learn how it is used in traditional Chinese art. In the end, you will get to use your creativity to decorate an inkstick with mineral paint and bring it back home with you! • Your local guide and private chauffeur will escort you to the airport and help you check in for your departure flight.
Hotels
Xihai Hotel, Huangshan
Local Boutique
Modern amenities, varied dining options, and a winning location at the summit of Huangshan make Xihai Hotel the perfect base for exploring this beautiful region.
Huangshan Su House
Local Boutique
SU House offers a contemporary retreat with spacious guestrooms, modern amenities, and delicious Chinese cuisine, while immersing in the traditional Huizhou heritage.
Photos
Photos Bamboo Forests Huangshan Yellow Mountain Huangshan-misty Ancient Villages Hongcun
Details
What’s Included
- Services of an English-speaking local English-speaking guide
- Accommodation based on double occupancy with breakfasts included
- All overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
- Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip
- All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
- Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water
What’s Excluded
- International and domestic flights, domestic trains, plus relevant taxes
- Chinese tourist visa, which is required for most foreign passport holders
- Travel and medical insurance
- Meals, apart from those included in the itinerary, and alcohol
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
- Discretionary gratuities for guides and drivers
TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL
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