Our long awaited hike of China’s Yellow or Huangshan Mountain was the last item on our huge China Odyssey tour and definitely worth the wait.
Huangshan is a mountain range in South East China. The range is composed of material that was uplifted from an ancient sea during the Mesozoic era, 100 million years ago. The mountains themselves were carved by glaciers during the Quaternary. The area is well known for its scenery, peculiarly shaped granite peaks, Huangshan Pine trees, and views of the clouds from above.
We started our morning with a 30 minute walk to the bus station and in the heat we were all already sweating a bit by the time we got onto the bus. The bus ride took us up into the mountains on a very windy road with bamboo forests all along the way.
In one of these cable cars we crossed valleys and traveled past mountain outcrops and over forests. It was a breathtaking view and I didnt want the ride to end.
The mist was creeping in slowly, filling the forest and giving everything an eerie feel. As of 1990, there were over 50 kilometers of footpaths providing access to scenic areas for visitors and staffers of the facilities. Luckily there are cable cars that we could use to ride directly from the base to one of the summits.
Once we reached the summit it was nice and cool, perfect weather for hiking in.
The Huangshan mountain range has many peaks, some more than 1,000 meters high. The three tallest and best-known peaks are Lotus Peak (Lian Hua Feng, 1,864 m), Bright Summit Peak (Guang Ming Ding, 1,840 m), and Celestial Peak (Tian Du Feng, literallyCapital of Heaven Peak, 1,829 m).
The vegetation of the area varies with elevation. Mesic forests cover the landscape below 1,100 meters. Deciduous forest stretches from 1,100 meters up to the tree line at 1,800 meters. Above that point, the vegetation consists of alpine grasslands.
The Huangshan pine is named after Huangshan and is considered an example of vigor because the trees thrive by growing straight out of the rocks. Many of the area’s pine trees are more than a hundred years old and have been given their own names. The pines vary greatly in shape and size, with the most crooked of the trees being considered the most attractive.
“To enjoy the magnificence of a mountain, you have to look upwards in most cases. To enjoy Mount Huangshan, however, you’ve got to look downward.“
We planned on doing a 3 hour long hike over the mountains and were geared with water, food and even walking sticks for our big adventure.
The hike was amazing, the scenery absolutely worth it. The mountain top was shrouded in mist and the many peaks appeared to float on the clouds.
Jagged granite peaks clothed in uniquely shaped pine trees create a spectacular landscape of great interest to artists and photographers.
The walkways in Huangshan mountain area are properly engineered 2m wide paved paths over the main routes from the cable car stations and probably on the steps up from the valleys. Handrails and parapets are done well, and that’s a good thing because when you look over the side of some of these paths, you will see a long sheer drop.
Unfortunately the walk included a lot of stairs up and down as we crossed the cliffs and walked through the valleys. These steps ended up being quite hard on our knees so I was suffering a bit by the end of our hike.
The hotels, restaurants, and other facilities at the top of the mountain are serviced and kept stocked by porters who carry resources up the mountain on foot, hanging their cargo from long poles balanced over their shoulders or backs.
After 3 hours of hiking we were all tired and sore. Unfortunately our guide Jay had gotten a bit lost and had to ask for directions. He then told us not to worry, the cable car is just another 15 minute walk away.
This turned into the longest 15 minutes of my life as nearly 2 hours later and countless of steps up and down we only reached the cable car.
We were quite proud of ourselves for surviving this very difficult 5 hour long hike but was in no mood to walk anywhere the rest of the evening. Once we got back to Mr Hu’s hostel we had a shower and mister Hu, the sweet owner cooked us some dinner.
Huangshan is a frequent subject of traditional Chinese paintings and literature, as well as modern photography no wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of China’s major tourist destinations. Together with the Yellow River, the Yangtze River and the Great Wall, it has become one of the great symbols of China and I was glad to end my China adventure with this mountain hike.
Janaline's world journey 
This is the China I dream of visiting – your hike looked amazing, even with the “getting lost part” 🙂
LikeLike
It was fabulous! I think we got to see parts of the mountain area we would have skipped if we hadn’t gotten lost. It was definitely worth the “pain “!
LikeLike
Wow, beautiful!
LikeLike
wow! what a hike but well worth it! the scenery is just awesome! great experience and thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
This looks like an amazing adventure! I think it must have felt amazing to actually see all that with your own eyes and have the satisfaction of climbing the mountain. The photos make the mountains look scary and yet so appealing, the mist is beautiful over the jagged tops.
LikeLike
Yes, it was an amazing experience. I think we did apreciate the beauty so much more as we had to work so hard for it. The mist added to the beauty and took away a bit of my fear of hights as it didnt look that for down…..
LikeLike
Excellent captured photos and very interesting writing – very inspiring… 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for that lovely compliment!! It was an amazing experience, even thhough it was quite hard foe my mom and I to do it with our dodgy knees……well we are quite proud of ourselves.
LikeLike
Wonderful visual storytelling.
LikeLike
Thank you!! The scenery is so spectacular that there are photo opportunities around every corner!!
LikeLike
What a adventurous spirit you have…my heart is pounding in my chest for just LOOKING at all those stairs.
LikeLike
We did suffer with the amount of stairs on our hike but I would do it again just to see that beautiful scenery again!
LikeLike
These are some spectacular views you had on your hike. Thanks for a great post.
LikeLike
The views took my breath away Hanna. Hiking the Yellow Mountain should be on everybody’s travel list.
LikeLike
Stunning pictures! What a wonderful time you must have had!
LikeLike
Thanks Sue! It was such an amazing experience to share with my mom, we both loved it!!
LikeLike
Fantastic hike! What a beautiful area.
LikeLike
It is an amazing place Jane! I am so glad that we had the opportunity to walk through this mystical scenery.
LikeLike
This looks so adventurous. Lovely shots!
LikeLike
Thank you! It was such a huge challenge and we are both quite proud of ourselves that we actually made it!!
LikeLike
Jeeez .. now I stand with respect to you and Mom… that does not look an easy place to hike… but Kudos to you and again I just love the photos you shared… what a beautiful place…
LikeLike
It was definitely a difficult hike for the two of us but the scenery made every moment worth it! This ended up being one of the most amazing experiences of our China Odyssey
LikeLike
Gosh,Reading this post and looking at the Wonderful Photo’s, I feel like I am almost there.
LikeLike
Thanks for that lovely compliment Adam! This was such an amazing experience and I am so glad that I can share this experience with you all!
LikeLike
Absolutely phenomenal! The mist looks perfect in every way.
LikeLike
The mist added to the atmosphere and made the whole experience a bit mystical.
LikeLike
You and your mother made to the Yellow Mountain?!!! What a hiking experience. Fantastic photos!
LikeLike
It was definitely an amazing experience! It ended up being the highlight of our China adventure for my mom.
LikeLike
awsome!!!
LikeLike
It is an amazing place!
LikeLike
Sounds like quite an adventure and one you wont forget! Amazing pictures! Totally inspired by the two of you hiking for 5 hours – Well done!
LikeLike
Thank you!! Luckily afterwards the scenery and great experience overshadowed the hard hike and made this one of the top things we did on our China adventure!
LikeLike
what an adventure! The scenery looks breathtaking ….. 🙂
LikeLike
The scenery is breathtaking!! It was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen!!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on KMSRAJ51-Always Positive Thinker.
LikeLike
Thanks for the re-blog!
LikeLike
Always Welcome !!
LikeLike
Wow! You and your mum certainly have stamina – what a fantastic hike. Great images!. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Sue!! It was amazing!! According to my mum it was the number one experience of our whole China Odyssey!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
It’s good you were able to visit Huangshan, and to have hiked it for so long, despite the momentary being-lost part. The trails look very developed and spacious, and it seems there weren’t that many tourists. Huangshan is definitely the place I’d most like to go to in China.
LikeLike
Huangshan is an amazing place!! I loved being able to see so much of it and I think it wasnt so crowded because it was right in the middle of summer!!
LikeLike
This is a huge wish list item for me. I hope I don’t get as long as your guide got you! The pictures are incredible.
LikeLike
Just make sure you get a map at the start and I am sure you will be fine. Eventhough the hike was longer than expected it was definitely worth it as the scenery was amazing.
LikeLike
wow! the misty jagged peaks are absolutely stunning.
LikeLike
The mist that covers the valleys at the bottom definitely adds a mystic and fairytale feel to the jagged peaks of the mountain side.
LikeLike
Often in traveling the views are that much more rewarding when you had to work hard to get there. Well done!
LikeLike
That is quite true and we will always remember these beautiful views that we suffered for that day. It was worth every step!!
LikeLike
Breathtaking views… looks like the landscape is straight from the movie “Avatar”…
Congrats for the successful trek…
LikeLike
Thanks Sreejith. It was an amazing voiew and the mist that drifted in half way through the hike definitely added a mystic feeling to the place.
LikeLike
You and your mom are to be commended!! Gorgeous scenery!
~Lindy
LikeLike
Thanks Lindy!! Both of us suffered a bit the next day and were so glad that we didnt have to walk anywhere far that day.
LikeLike
You Ladies are amazing! I have tried to keep up with your adventures here online and the photos you taken are stunning but I doubt if they convey even a small view of the beauty how have see.
And that plus miles covered has me marveling at you two but this one had me wore out just reading it! Thanks for sharing and safe journeys!
LikeLike
Thank you!! This was definitely one of the most amazing sceneries but also physically challenging experiences that my mom and I have done during our amazing travels. Thanks for joining our adventure!
LikeLike
It sounds like it was quite an adventure. Thank you for sharing it.
LikeLike
It was definitely one of the most beautiful and physically challenging experiences my mom and I shared.
LikeLike
Beautiful shots…and the 5-hour hike probably made dinner taste all the better. Cheers.
LikeLike
The hike definitely made it one of the tastiest dinners ever!! It was such an amazing sight to hike through that it was definitely worth it!
LikeLike