Huangshan Scenic Area: How the Routes Actually Work

What "Huangshan Scenic Area" covers

Huangshan Scenic Area · 黄山风景区

The ticketed mountain in Huangshan District, Huangshan City, Anhui, China. Its summit network includes Beihai, Bright Summit, Yuping and West Sea Grand Canyon. UNESCO’s reference point is 30.14533° N, 118.15508° E. For transport, search for your specific gate.

Tangkou · 汤口

The base town beside the South Gate. Stay here for an early shuttle to Yungu or Yuping. A Tangkou hotel is below the mountain. Summit hotels are inside the scenic area and are reached on foot from the upper cableways.

Tunxi and Huangshan City · 屯溪 / 黄山市

Tunxi is the downtown district, with Old Street and the airport. Huangshan North is the high-speed rail station on the city side. Allow a separate drive or coach ride to the mountain. Xidi and Hongcun are separate village stops in the wider Huizhou region.

Getting to the South Gate from Shanghai or Hangzhou

1. Train to Huangshan North (黄山北). Allow 2½–3½ hr from Shanghai Hongqiao or 1½–2 hr from Hangzhou East. Pick a direct service and verify its timing on China Railway 12306.
2. Coach to Tangkou. Board beside Huangshan North for the South Gate Transfer Center (黄山南大门换乘中心). Allow about 1 hr. The published one-way coach fare is ¥30.
3. Park shuttle to the mountain. Choose Yungu Temple (云谷寺) for Yungu or the Yuping cableway stop on the Ciguang Pavilion side (慈光阁). Allow 20–30 min on the shuttle. Budget 1½–2 hr from the train station to the lower cableway, plus the lift queue.

UNESCO location · City coach timetable and fare · China Railway 12306

The four gates and four cable cars

• South Gate · Tangkou. Yungu takes you to the Beihai side. Yuping puts you near the Guest-Greeting Pine. Ride one up and the other down to cross the ridge and return to Tangkou.
• North Gate · Gengcheng, near Taiping. Taiping cableway from Songgu’an puts you near Danxia and the West Sea side.
• East Gate · Tanjiaqiao. Open since June 2026. Donghai is the only connection between the gate and its upper station. From there, follow the summit trail toward Shixin Peak.
• West Gate · Jiaocun. A hiking approach toward West Sea Grand Canyon when open. The West Sea funicular connects the canyon floor to Tianhai inside the park.

Check the trail map for the upper stations and the national park guide for gate access and fares. East Gate opening notice

The standard route most people walk

For a first visit, take Yungu up, walk across the ridge with one night at Baiyun Hotel and take Yuping down. The times below are examples from Tangkou in China local time. Allow extra time for queues and trail conditions.

1. Day 1 · 09:00

   Leave Tangkou for Yungu Temple. For this start, arrive in Tangkou the previous evening.

2. Day 1 · 10:00

   Take Yungu up. Walk through Beihai and over Bright Summit toward Tianhai.

3. Day 1 · 15:00

   Reach Baiyun Hotel and check in when your room is ready. Ask about tomorrow’s sunrise and trail status.

4. Day 2 · 05:00

   Example wake-up for the walk to Bright Summit. Set your alarm using the date’s sunrise and walking time.

5. Day 2 · 08:00

   After breakfast, check out and walk via Aoyu toward the Guest-Greeting Pine.

6. Day 2 · 11:30

   Aim to take Yuping down. Shuttle back to Tangkou, then allow a separate transfer to Huangshan North.

Sunrise and sunset points

Bright Summit · Guangmingding (光明顶)

Open views for sunrise and sunset. Bright Summit Lodge is at the viewpoint. From Baiyun Hotel, allow time to walk uphill from Tianhai.

Beginning-to-Believe Peak · Shixin (始信峰)

A sunrise stop on the east side of Beihai, with pines and granite spires in the foreground. WINCLOUD Beihai is a practical overnight base nearby.

Lion Peak · Shizi (狮子峰)

For sunrise on the Beihai side, ask about the open path to Qingliang Terrace near Lion Peak. Shilin Hotel sits below the peak. For sunset on the West Sea side, use Paiyun Pavilion if the trail is open.

Ask reception for the date’s sunrise and the walking time. Aim to arrive about 30 minutes before sunrise. At Bright Summit, sunrise is around 05:10 in early July and 07:00 in early January, so an alarm around 04:20 or 06:10 works if you need 20 minutes to get ready and walk. For sunset, plan the return to your hotel or check the last lift and shuttle before you set out. Compare summit hotels by viewpoint. Sunrise time examples · Sunrise viewpoints · Paiyun Pavilion sunset

How many days you need

• One day. Ride Yungu both ways for Beihai and Shixin, or cross to Yuping if you start early and can manage the stairs.
• Two days. Sleep on the mountain for sunrise and walk the main Beihai–Bright Summit–Yuping crossing.
• Three days. Add the West Sea canyon if its trails and funicular are open, or descend on Day 2 and spend Day 3 in Xidi or Hongcun.

Compare the one-, two- and three-day timetables or use the Yellow Mountain trip planner to choose a route for your fitness.

Tickets, booking and entry

Published adult admission is ¥190 at the standard rate and ¥150 when the winter fare applies. Cable cars and the South Gate shuttle are separate. Reserve a date, time and gate on the Huangshan Tourism Official Platform and carry the passport or ID used to book.

The regular 2026 gate schedule is 07:00–17:10 on weekdays and 06:30–17:40 on weekends from Mar 5–Nov 30. Winter hours are 08:00–16:40 from Dec 1–Mar 4. Holiday and weather notices can change the schedule. See the national park guide for fares, reservations and last shuttle times. Park hours notice · Published admission rates