Comments on: Huang Shan: the Famous Yellow Mountain

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!

By: Kate.Shen

Kate.Shen — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:56:51 +0000

你说对了：
我们中国古代地理学家徐霞客有一句话 “五岳归来不看山，黄山归来不看岳(yue4)”
东岳泰山（1532米），位于山东泰安市。

　　西岳华山（1997米），位于陕西华阴市。

　　南岳衡山（1512米），位于湖南长沙以南的衡山县。Heng2 shan

　　北岳恒山（2017米），位于山西浑源县。Heng2 shan

　　中岳嵩山（1440米），位于河南登封市。Song1 shan

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:23:17 +0000

I went to Tai Shan and Qufu, Confucius’ hometown. It is a nice place but like any other Chinese tourist trap so you just have to be in the frame of mind of where you’re going.

Bottom line: If you want to enjoy tourism in China as a Westerner, go to random places that most Chinese would never consider going.

By: Tina

Tina — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:24:26 +0000

We were actually thinking of going to Huang Shan before we move back to Chicago in the summer but now thinking we may opt for Lu Shan or Tai Shan, unless of course you have a better suggestion.