Published : 01/08/2025
When the heat is at its peak, you might want to find a place where life can be chill and poetic—China's Mount Huangshan (黃山), is such a place.
Here, there are mountains where seas of clouds hover over peaks, ancient villages with water reflecting dark tiles, and bamboo seas with rolling green waves.
Now, with new direct flights from Hong Kong, you can reach Huangshan in just two hours, effortlessly embarking on a refreshing journey amidst its stunning mountains and rivers!
Huangshan Scenic Area: A cool sanctuary with surging clouds
Located in the core area of Huangshan City, Anhui Province, the Huangshan Scenic Area is the soul of this fairyland.
Riding the Yungu Cableway, you would ascend into the sky, with the Guest-Greeting Pine welcoming visitors with its thousand-year-old grace among the towering cliffs.
When the sea of clouds surges, the observation deck on Bright Summit Peak (光明頂) transforms into a floating fairy island, with the peaks around you appearing and disappearing, creating a heavenly realm of "Journey to the West".
In the midsummer, the average temperature at the top of Mount Huangshan is only 18°C, nearly 10°C cooler than the city area.
Strolling along the cliffside plank roads of the Xihai Grand Canyon (西海大峽谷), the cool breeze full of negative ions hits, making even breathing sweet.
If you are brave enough, try challenging the "Carp Back" (鯉魚背) of Tiandu Peak (天都峰). This narrow stone ridge has deep abysses on both sides but offers a panoramic view of the sea of clouds and peaks.
Its breath-taking beauty will be unforgettable for a lifetime.
Read more: Jiangxi Sanqing Mountain: A Chinese landscape painting wonderland
Hongcun: A flowing ink painting
Only a 40-minute drive from the Huangshan Scenic Area, Hongcun Village (宏村), is a living fossil of Hui-style architecture.
This ancient village, famous for its "ox-shaped water system," features the Moon Marsh Lake (月沼湖), which mirrors the white walls and black tiles like a mirror, while the painted bridge over South Lake integrates green waters and blue mountains into an exquisite painting.
At dusk, the setting sun gilds the tiered rooftops, reflecting on the tranquil lake surface like a flowing scene from Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains (《富春山居圖》).
The water system of Hongcun Village is not only beautiful but also reflects ancient wisdom—a 1,200-metre-long water canal runs through houses, channelling cool mountain spring water into every home.
Strolling on the cobblestone roads in summer, the babbling water at your feet brings a refreshing coolness. Sitting in a teahouse by the water, sipping a cup of Huangshan Maofeng tea, watching artists paint, it feels as if time stands still here.
Mukeng Bamboo Sea: A tumble of green waves and gentle spirit
A 15-minute drive from Hongcun Village brings you to Mukeng Bamboo Sea (木坑竹海), the filming location of the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (《臥虎藏龍》).
The bamboo forest covers a six-square-kilometre area, where green waves roll with the wind, and the rustling sound is like a galloping herd.
Ascending the boardwalk to the viewing platform and gazing at the white walls and black tiles that appear indistinctly amidst the bamboo sea, you might feel like travelling to an ancient secluded village.
Brave visitors should not miss the Wolong Glass Bridge (臥龍玻璃天橋), a fully transparent 5D glass bridge spanning the Deep Green Valley.
It is 200 metres long and 100 metres high, and as you walk to the middle, the glass would suddenly "shatters"!
With sound and light effects, the thrill rivals that of the Grand Canyon Skywalk at Hunan's Zhangjiajie.
Once your heartbeat steadies, you can lift your gaze to the boundless green waves of the bamboo sea, a sight full of healing green.
Read more: How does China's 1,000-year-old lychee tree survive with only bark?Hanging Monastery "Thousand Zhang Rainbow Bridge" at Cangyan Mountain, The Classic Filming Location of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
Xixinan Ancient Village: A real-life land of Oz
Located only a 10-minute drive from Huangshan North Railway Station, Xixinan Ancient Village (西溪南古村落) is a forgotten paradise.
Situated along the Fengle River (豐樂河), the 4-kilometre-long maple and poplar forest wetland is like a green tunnel.
At dawn, the morning mist lingers; and when sunlight penetrates the leaves casting golden patches, it feels like you are in the magical forest from the movie Avatar.
The Lei'e Water Conservancy Heritage (雷堨水利遺產), situated by the Fengle River, channels river water into the village, forming a water network.
The cool stream passes through stone weirs, creating a natural play area. Try step into the shallows barefoot, dance with the fish, and instantly cool off from the summer heat.
The ancient village also preserves nearly a hundred buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The carved beams and painted rafters tell stories of history.
Are you ready to pack your bags and search for your own poetry and distant place in the ink landscape of Huangshan?