Mt. Huangshan

Located in east China's Anhui Province, Mount Huangshan, also known as the Yellow Mountain, is renowned for its magnificent natural scenery including massive granitic boulders and ancient pine trees which are often further enhanced by cloud and mist effects. The property features numerous imposing peaks, many of which exceed an altitude of 1,000 meters, with the highest, the famous Lianhua Peak (Lotus Peak), reaching up to 1,864 meters.

Huangshan is also famous for its ancient paths, bridges and pavilions, as well as carvings and inscriptions on the mountain. It has inspired numerous pieces of literature, and originated the influential Shanshui ("Mountain and Water") school of landscape painting.

With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Huangshan was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1990.

Lotus Peak

Located in south Anhui, Mount Huangshan covers an area of 1,200 square kilometers. It extends 40 kilometers from north to south and 30 kilometers from east to west. The scenic spot of Mount Huangshan covers an area of 160.6 square kilometers; it has 72 famous peaks with Lotus Peak, the highest one, Heavenly Capital Peak, the steepest one and Bright Summit, the flattest one. The three main peaks are all 1,800 meters (5,905 ft.) higher above sea level.

Autumn Charm

Mount Huangshan is equally beautiful in different seasons throughout the year. As people ascend or descend the mountain, they may feast their eyes on a postcard panorama of the mountain proper in the distance and nearby. Fantastic pines, grotesque rocks, sea of louds, hot spring and winter snow are the five wonders of Mount Huangshan. It has become an ideal year-round resort for sightseeing, holiday making, winter traveling and summer vacationing.

Winter Sunrise

Xu Xiake, the great traveler of the Ming Dynasty, gave high praise to Mount Huangshan: "He who has hiked Huangshan will be extremely satisfied with the scenery and find worthless of seeing other mountains in the world".

Huangshan is not only famous for its majestic and delicate natural landscape, but is a scenic spot and natural relics of national level which is of great value in scientific and ecological researches.

In 1990, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization officially inscribed Huangshan on the World Heritage List of Cultural and Natural Value. In 2004, it was included in the list of World Geoparks.

It is difficult to single out the most impressive spots in Shexian, Tunxi and Yixian counties at the bottom of Huangshan because nearly every place is excellent. However, Tangyue Memorial Archways, Xidi and Hongcun Ancient Residences, Old Street in Tunxi, and Huashan Enigmatic Caverns are especially noteworthy. Tourists can gain some perspective on the splendor of China's Hui school of culture and get a feel for the rich folk customs of southern Anhui.

Along with the Yellow River, the Yangtze River and the Great Wall, Mount Huangshan symbolizes the charming and beautiful landscapes of China. Huangshan is widely considered the“most gorgeous mountain in the world”.

A Ride through Misty Mountains

Fine wisps of translucent clouds drifting across East China's Xihai Grand Canyon - the iconic jagged mountains landscape featured for centuries in classic Chinese ink paintings - were captured in a 14-second video shot from a sightseeing train that has received 19 million views on social media.

The video was shot from the front car of the train as it travels through the mist of the mountain peaks circling Mount Huangshan, East China's Anhui Province. The mountains, which seem to float in a veil of mist, are described in Chinese mythology as the home of immortals who have discovered the Elixir of Life.

The breathtaking, misty vistas of Xihai Grand Canyon are said to be obscured by clouds for just 51 days a year.

The train, pulled by cables, takes only a few minutes to roll down its steep 892-meter-long track, and saves tourists a hike of two to three hours, a staff member told Global Times.

Sometime, however, the wait in the lineup to get on the train takes longer than the hike.

Rime Scenery in the winter

Mount Huangshan is beautiful all year round, especially in winter. Rimed trees, together with snow scape and the sea of clouds is most favored by tourists in the winter. The rime usually appears form late November to February of the following year. When the temperature is below 0 ℃ atop the mountain, the water droplets in fog freeze to the windward side of tree branches. Thus the rime comes into being.

The rimed pine trees beside the cliff are in different shapes. Some look like flowers in full bloom, while others resemble white coral in the sea.  This unique scenery is a calling card of Mt. Huangshan and tourists are thrilled even though they are exhausted after hours of climbing.

When the sunrise or sunset throws its soft glow on the rime, the mountain turns into a kaleidoscope of glittering colors. Anyone who sees such an enchanting view would linger on this dreamland.

Everything is pure and tranquil, and you will be captivated by the different kind of charm of this mountain.