Comments on: Huang Shan: the Famous Yellow Mountain

By: Jim Krugh

Jim Krugh — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:10:30 +0000

I have taught/lived in China for the last two and one-half years. I climbed Huangshan in the summer of 2009 from the West Gate (the easier climb?) and I had a great time. I timed the trip so I could see the solar eclipse from the top of the mountain.

I don’t honestly remember how much I spent but for four days it was well under 1000 kuai which was well worth it to me. I was off the beaten path a bit. I only saw high heels on the trip up. The sunrises/sunsets were particularly beautiful. I would do it again and I would forego the cable car.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 04:51:59 +0000

This post is very disappointing to read considering you two lazy grown men couldnt even make the trek up by foot, where the real experience of the mountain is to be found. Shame on you and your friend.
I think that 2-3 days on the mountain, trekking by foot would have been a true adventure.
Seems you took the Chinese tourist way out which is of course dissapointing. 385rmb is the most youve ever spent on a Chinese tourist site/day is pathetic how cheap are you? You have failed to menting the Buddhist mountin only a couple hours away aswell as the near by villages which would be worth a day or to to poke around. Iam sure your travels to Heifei and the flat lands was a real bore.

By: JT

JT — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:54:59 +0000

You didn’t even climb it…nor see the sun rise or sun set.
I’m disappointed that you turned away a couple of people from a possible totally different and better experience.

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:54:19 +0000

First I would like say that you are correct that the tourist areas of Huang Shan is not all that exciting. I went in 2007 during the peak tourist season and the tourist sections were packed with throngs of people. Not very exciting, the scenic spots were crowded and the view was mostly blocked. However, the scenery was much improved once we got on the back roads. Hardly any people at all, even during peak season. The reason is because the back roads take longer to travel and more stair climbing, so tour groups do not even attempt to access those areas. However, it is still easily accessible with stairs all the way and you just need a good tour map.

So your assessment of Huang Shan only presents a partial picture, taken from the vantage of a day tripper. I would encourage your readers to take the time to explore Huang Shan in depth. Take the opportunity to enjoy a sun rise, see the cloud mountains and climb fish back peak (not accessible by cable car).

To make an American analogy, I would contend that the south rim of the Grand Canyon has great views but it is still very touristy, with lots of people milling about. However, after spending 5 nights down in the canyon, surrounded by just my fellow campers and sleeping on the banks of the Colorado, I have grown to appreciate the Grand Canyon’s natural beauty so much more.

I would recommend your readers to spend a few more RMBs and few more days. You’ll enjoy Huang Shan much more.

By: h

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:01:27 +0000

FYI: Huangshan is not one of Five Mt(Yue).
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BA%94%E5%B2%B3

But 五岳归来不看山，黄山归来不看岳.

By: Tex

Tex — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:24:38 +0000

I was a little disappointed as well. Our cable car option was also due to carrying our packs with us (we were unsure if we were staying at the top or not). Our time was also slightly limited. I don’t tend to cable car on my trips, but the view was quite splendid so I’m glad we did it.

By: Rebekah

Rebekah — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 06:31:23 +0000

Another great trip report, Ben! Thank you! Posted it to ChinaTravel.net. Keep them coming!! Rebekah

By: rp8

rp8 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:06:09 +0000

From your photos, obviously the air polution has taken its toll on the scenaries. I climbed the mountain in the summer of 1984. Then the visibility was so good you could see probably 50 miltes away if not more.

I forgot the cost of entry ticket, but it costed 2RMB at the top for sharing the buncker bed in the same bed with a stranger!

There’s no cable car then.

One of the horror stories was that you would often see a camera on a tripod, but there’s nobody around. The owners had fallen off the cliff while taking their final pcitures.

Thanks for the blog entry that brings back a lot of memories.

A friend from Fuzhou, Jiangxi

By: CHRIS

CHRIS — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:04:13 +0000

It reminds my days in Huangshan. NICE PHOTO

By: ZHU Xiaoping

ZHU Xiaoping — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:37:41 +0000

Well,it seems we went to the same place at different time.I just got back from Anhui,and I did climb Huang Shan on foot! The process is exhausting,and I really feel disappointed because the scenery isn’t as good as imagination.I stayed in a hotel at the top of the mountain for a night,not to mention the ridiculous experience and the expensive cost.I’ll say you made a right choice to take the cable car.After this trip ,I think I won’t climb any mountain on foot in 2 years!