Vacation in Hungshan China with Asian Vacations, Inc.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Mt. Huangshan Scenic Spot

Mt. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is the name of the 72 peaks mountain range lying in the south of Anhui province. Mt. Huangshan is famous for its spectacular rocky peaks, oddly shaped pines, crystal-clear mountain springs and the sea of clouds covering the highest peaks: the Lotus Flower Peak (Lianhua Feng) at 1864m, followed by the Bright Summit Peak (Guangming Ding) and the Celestial Peak (Tiandu Feng). This beautiful and unpredictable natural scenery lures countless painters and poets seeking tranquility and inspiration. The Huangshan mountain range has been designated as a national park and declared a World Natural and Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. Routes to the Summit: A visitor interested to reach the summit of Mt. Huangshan can choose between three different ways based on their difficulty. The easy way is to ride the aerial tramway (TELPHER) to the summit. Two trails reach the top as well: the Eastern Steps (shorter and hard) and the Western Steps (longer and harder). In order to ascend to the summit an entrance fee of �65 is required. The entrance boots are located near the start of the eastern steps at the Yungusi aerial tramway station and near the entrance gate of the western steps. Both locations can be reached via minibuses from Tangkou. Eastern Steps: The 7.5km Eastern Steps trail begin below the Yungusi Telpher line at the end of the road. This trail can be hiked comfortably in 3 hours and it's definitely easier than the western steps. You can also extend the eastern steps climb by several hours by starting your hike from the Front Gate of Huangshan. Only two key areas are visible on the Eastern Steps: the Cloud Valley Scenic Area and the North Sea Scenic Area on the mountain top. Western Steps: The 15.1km Western Steps Trail begin from the Mercy Light Temple, about 3km above the Hot Springs Scenic Area, and it is twice as strenuous as the Eastern Steps. The hiker on this trail will be rewarded with Huangshan's most spectacular scenery such as Fallen Rock from Sky (Feilai Shi), the Bright Summit Peak (Guangming Ding), the Lotus Peak (Lianhua Feng), Guest-Greeting Pine, and Celestial Peak (Tiandu Feng) etc. Young lovers hike together bring locks engraved with their names and fix them to the chain railings, symbolizing that they're 'locked' together. The western path continues down past the Mid-Level Temple (Banshan Si) and back to the hot springs resort. Via the western steps you can also visit the Jade Screen Tower Scenic Area and the White Cloud Stream Scenic Area. If the visitor has enough time, the recommended route to see all the beauty of Mt. Huangshan is to start with the Eastern Steps to reach the top, then descend to the hot spring area via the Western Steps. This route will take about 10 hours. Aerial Tramways (Telpher): Three tramways are available for visitors not interested or willing to hike to the summit: Yungusi Telpher, also called Telpher 1. It will take about 8 minutes to climb from Cloud Valley Hotel to White Goose Mountain covering a distance of 2,804m. The total climb is 773m. Taiping Telpher, also called Telpher 2. This tramway runs from Pine Valley Nunnery to Paiyunlou Hotel in about 8 minutes traveling a total of 3,709m and climbing 1,004m. This Telpher is the best choice to reach the summit from Hefei while crossing the Songgu Scenic Area. Yuping Telpher, also called Telpher 3. This tramway runs from the Mercy Light Temple (Ciguang Ge) to the Jade Screen Peak (Yuping Feng) in about 6 minutes. It is 2,012m long and its height difference is 745m. Scenic Areas: Mt. Huangshan is known worldwide for its four unique elements: pine forests, fantastic rocks, the sea of clouds, and hot springs. All of this can be enjoyed in different area across the mountain range. North Sea Scenic Area (Beihai Jingqu): The North Sea Scenic Area is in the summit area of Mt. Huangshan and it is an ideal place to view the sunrise and sunset. This area has quite a few attractive sights: the Cloud Dispersing Pavilion (Pai Yun Ting), the Beginning-to-Believe Peak (Shi Xin Feng) - the most picturesque of the 72 peaks, the Stalagmite Peak (Shi Sun Feng), and Refreshing Terrace (Qing Liang Tai). The Refreshing Terrace is the best place to view the sunrise. Beginning-to-Believe Peak (Shi Xin Feng): The Beginning-to-Believe Peak, in the eastern summit area, attracts the greatest number of tourists. The beauty of Huangshan increases while you approach the peak hence the name. The deep chasm below the peak is the home of the Huangshan monkey. Fallen Rock from Sky (Feilai Shi): In the western part of the summit area, there is a huge pear-shaped rock, 10m high, standing precariously on top of the peak. The bottom of the rock is so separated from the ground that it looks as if it had just fallen from the sky. Jade Screen Pavilion: The Jade Screen Pavilion, 1,680m above sea level, is known as the Jade Screen of the Heaven. A unique experience here is to watch the white clouds drift below after rain, when picturesque mountain peaks, fantastic rock formations and green pines are enveloped in mist, with only their tops showing. In front of the pavilion there are the Guest-Greeting and Guest-Goodbye Pines. Bright Summit Peak: At an elevation of 1,840m, this it is the second highest peak of Mt. Huangshan. Located in the central part of the mountain, this peak it is the best place for watching the sunrise and the sea of clouds. Lotus Peak: At an elevation of 1,864m, it is the highest peak of the mountain. Surrounded by a group of lower peaks, it looks like a lotus flower in full bloom. From the top of the peak, you can have a panoramic view of Mt Huangshan mountain range. Celestial Peak: This southeast peak of Huangshan faces Lotus Peak in the west and borders Boyu Peak in the east. It is 1,829m above sea level and is the steepest and most precipitous peak of the mountain. Hot Springs Scenic Area: The Hot Springs in Mt. Huangshan is of nationwide fame and they were was discovered and tapped more than a thousand years ago. Gushing forth from the foot of Purple Cloud Peak, it has neither run dry during the severe droughts nor over-flooded during excessive rain period. The water of this spring is of a high-temperature carbonate type, with therapeutic effects for various medical conditions like metabolic disorder, cardiovascular disease and digestive, nervous and motor systems problems. Its clear waters remain at 42C year-round. Baths and swimming pools have been built around the springs. Flying Rain Spring Waterfall: It was known as Flying Rain Spring (Feiyuquan) in ancient times. The present name derives from its shape like a Chinese character "Ren". Also known as Brush Peak, it is an independent stone pillar in the shape of a writing brush in the Beihai Scenic Zone. The pine tree growing on it looks like a lower. Cloud Valley Scenic Areas: The frequently-used Telpher station and a hotel are located here in a secluded setting within the pine and bamboo forest. The relic of Cloud Valley Monastery here attracts a large number of pilgrims. This area is also used by most of the visitors as a starting point to climb the mountain trails. White Cloud Stream Scenic Area: It is a newly developed scenic area for overseas tourists. The major characteristics of this area are the steep cliffs, deep gullies, and gnarled pines on high peaks. The Cloud Dispelling Pavilion attracts every day lots of visitors that come to watch the sunset. Also you can contemplate the peaks thrusting up to the sky and fancy shaped rocks. Songgu Area: This area is famous for the beauty and clearness of many water ponds and natural pools. The most beautiful include Old Dragon Pool (Laolong Tan), Green Dragon Pool (Qinglong Tai), Black Dragon Pool (Wulong Tai), White Dragon Pool (Bailong Tai) and Jadeite Pond.

Mt. Jiuhuashan Scenic Spot

Mt. Jiuhua lies 20km northeast of Qingyang County, Anhui Province and is a sacred place for Buddhist pilgrims. Mt. Jiuhua has been established as one of the four most important Buddhist Mountains and is well-known as "the most picturesque mountain in the southeast China". Famous for its beautiful scenery and favorable climate, the mountain is an ideal summer resort. The 100km2 area is full of ridges and peaks, exotic-shaped stones, gushing fountains, roaring waterfalls, and clear streams. Birds accompany the beating of bell and drum. Fog and pines set each other off beautifully. The original name of the mountain was Mt. Jiuzishan. However it was renamed Mt. Jiuhua, meaning "the Mountain of the Nine Lotuses." Legend states that one day, Libai - the famous poet of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) - came to visit this mountain. The poet was intoxicated with the scene of nine peaks that look like lotus blooms from heaven. Out of admiration he wrote the lines: "From the azure skies above descends a jade-like flow, and nine fascinating lotuses rise out of the hills below." Since then the mountain has attracted men of letters through several dynasties, and thus obtained its fame. Just as the Chinese saying goes:" A mountain is famous not for its height but for its holiness". Famous Buddhist Shrine: It was not until the late 8th Century that the mountain became a place where religious rites were held to worship the God of Earth. The construction of temples started in the Tang Dynasty and their enlargement continued in the following dynasties. By the middle of the Qing, Mt. Jiuhua became one of the four great Buddhist Mountains in China (the other three being Mt. Emeishan in Sichuan, Mt. Wutaishan in Shanxi and Mt. Putuoshan in Zhejiang). "Huacheng Temple" is the oldest temples on the mountain. It looks simple and solemn. Its lintels, brackets and roofs all have artistic engravings on them. The picture "nine dragons are playing with pearls" on a panel in the "Main Shrine Hall" is a consummate piece of ancient Chinese artists. Precious sutras and other cultural relics in Huacheng and other temples are on display in the Historical Relics Museum of the Jiuhua Mountain. The most valuable of all are the Buddhist canonical literature left from the Tang Dynasty, the Tripitaka left from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), and Emperor Kang Xi and Emperor Qian Long's handwritings left from the Qing Dynasty. In the "Corporeal Body Hall" of Wannian Temple is the mummy of Monk Wu Xia, wearing a lotus-flower-shaped crown and a vermilion "kasaya," and is still well preserved after more than 350 years. Buddhist followers are keen to pay homage to the monk whenever they visit the Mountain. Other attractions include the "Corporeal Body and Treasure Hall," which houses the body of has eminent monk Jin Qiaojue's, and the splendid palatial architecture of Zhiyuan Temple. Admission: �45 (peak season), �35 (low season).

Shexian County:

Known as the "Town of Arch", Shexian county in Huangshan city is a must for each visitors to experience some fine examples of residential architecture from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) and Qing dynasties and old streets and memorial arches. Shexian county is famous as the "the Town of Arches" and has thousands of arches scattered around. It is the best place to explore the social culture in China's feudal society. Paifang, also called Pailou in Chinese, is very Chinese in its architecture. Actually a Paifang is an archway usually made of fine wood or stone, well painted and with glazed tiles sometimes, for memory and decoration. On its middle beams are usually found moral inscriptions by certain calligraphist, mostly preaching some norms, often can be seen. Famous Arches in Shexian include: Xuguo Stone Arch: Usually called "Eight-Posted Archway", is located in the downtown of Shexian County. Originally built in Wanli's reign of the Ming Dynasty in 1584, the arch is shaped like a rectangular structure, 11.54m in length from north to south, 6.77m in width from east to west, 11.5m in height. Researches have revealed that it is so far the only arch that has eight posts in China. It was built to commemorate Xuguo - a loyal official who served through three reigns of the Ming. To glorify the distinguished achievement of this dignity, artisans intended to erect an eight-posted arch, which is usually reserved for royalty. The design is unique and grand. Exquisite engravings of lions in vermilion on the marble basement, posts and lintels reveal high craftsmanship. Four-Posted and Four-bronted Xuguo Archway Memorial Arch (Sizhu Simian Fang), located beside the pavement at the entrance to Feng Kou village, in She county, was built in the years of Jiaqing's reign in the Ming Dynasty (1522 - 1566). The three-storied, four-posted building is actually a square compound of four closed individual arches, each side of which is 3.8m long and 11m high. Inscriptions on the tablet commemorate successful candidates in the highest imperial exam. It is of great value to Chinese historical records. Wu Ma Arch is located in the ancient street in Xuchun, Shexian county. Built in the second of Zhengde's reign in the Ming Dynasty (1507), the arch has four posts, three gates and five storied. "Wu Ma" is a refined title for imperial officials. Head official of Dingzou District, Fujiang province, built the arch. Most of the exquisite carving patterns are still discernable. Huang's Unswervingly Loyal Arch (Huangshi Xiaoliemen Fang) is located in the Doushan Street. The arch was built in 1650, 7.5m high and 6.4m wide with three gates and three storied. It is a chastity arch (mostly for widowed women exclusively) to praise Huang's loyalty to her husband. Ye Chastity Arch was also built in the Doushan Street in 1391 (the twenty fourth year of Hongwu's reign of the Ming Dynasty). This three-storied arch is 6m high, 4.3m wide famous for a broad writing "Sheng Zhi" (the royal decree of the emperors), inscribed in the years of Qianlong's reign in the Qing dynasty. The eave of the arch writes 'Chastity door in praise of Ye's the wife of Jiang Laipu." Ye, whose husband died at her 25, took care of her mother-in-law after her husband's death. The arch was built to commemorate her filial piety. San Yuan Arch: "San Yuan" refers to "Zhuang Yuan", "Hui Yuan" and "Xie Yuan" - inscriptions on the beams, which means the three supreme titles awarded to the winners of the imperial examinations. These 6m high, 5.5m wide arch supported by four pillars mark the successful candidates who participated in the exam. The unique feature is the three-tier eave decorations. Shuangshou Cheng'en Arch: The arch is located in the east of Gaoyang Bridge in Xucun village, Shexian county. It was said that the arch was built for a 100-year-old couple, thus on the broad of the middle gate writes "Shuangshou Cheng'en." Engravings of four lifelike lions highlight the weathered arch.

A group of Archways Tangyue Memorial Archway

The Complex of Seven Arches, built by the Baos, is located in Tangyue Village 6km west of Shexian County. These memorial archways wind their ways into a simple and elegant group. Three were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD); the others were built during the Qing. All of them are in order of loyalty, filial piety, moral integrity and justice. In recent years, it has been used as the backdrop for such films as "A Dream of the Red Mansions" and "Smoke Blocked Double-eaved Roof", and it has become a world-famous tourist attraction. There are many historic sites in Tangyue. These include the "Temple of the Bao's Deceased Mother," also known as "Qingzi Temple" or "Female Temple", and the "Branch Temple of Bao's", commonly called "Male Temple". Both have been repaired, with perfect craftsmanship, to their original forms. Ancient-styled man-made scenery and status, as well as modern methods of sound, light and electricity, are also used to reproduce their original appearance. With images true to life, they provide scholars with the opportunity to study patriarchal systems and the history of merchants in Huizhou. Nuci (Qingyi Hall), usually called "Nuci," the hall rarely serves as the "ancestral temple for women". Built in the Qing Dynasty, it was the first of its kind. It is highly valued by those who research feudal ethical codes and patriarchal norms. Nanci (Dunben Hall), usually called "Nanci" (the ancestral temple for men) was originally built in the Ming Dynasty. The complex has five rooms covering 750 sq.m. Restored in 1962, it still contains all its original features. The interior hall houses important historical records of the flourishment of "Hui Shang" (businessman from Huizhou, today's Anhui province).

Tunxi Ancient Street

At the foot of the Mt. Huangshan, in the bend of Xin'an River, lies the beautiful mountain city called "The Tunxi City." The "Tunxi Ancient Street" can be found in this old city. The street starts in the west at Zhenhai Bridge, a stone arch bridge built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), and ends in the east at the "Tablet of Memorial Archways." Its total length is about 1.5km and the sides of the street are laid with slab stones. There are hundreds of old but well preserved rows of shops, evoking a bygone era in buildings that are simple and elegant. It is a commercial street that is only for pedestrians. The merchants from the Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Fujian provinces jostle each other in a crowd that resembles the picture "Upper River during Qingming Festival". An ancient Western-European architect once visited the old street and said that he had found "The Eastern Ancient Rome." First built over 700 years ago, during the Sung Dynasty (960 - 1279), the street is flanked by some buildings from this period. More noticeable are the buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911), during which time the "Tunxi Ancient Street" became a distribution center for goods and materials to Huizhou The shops, workshops and residences have continued to maintain the characteristics and operational layout of ancient stores such as "shop in the front and workshop or house in the back" Most of the buildings are only three stories high, stone-based and brick-laid. They are decorated with small green tiles, wood carvings in the Hui style, ancient shop signs, and red-lacquered with double eaves on the roofs. They are simple and elegant, magnificent and clean. The pavement is 5 to 8m wide, laid with large red flagstones. Whether you are wandering along the old bridge, visiting the fish beside the river, finding shoots of bamboo on the slope, or standing under a tree and listening to the birds whistle, it is easy to rest and attain mental tranquility by getting back to the nature. Shops and stalls sell an interesting mix of antiques and knick-knacks including ink stones, brushes, local teas, Mao badges and advertising posters from the 1930s. There are also many small food vendors and some excellent dumpling restaurants. The shop names in the ancient street have a lot of culture meanings, which shows that the merchants in Huizhou are scholar-merchants. Many of these shops carry more than a hundred years of history, such as "Tongderen" (Medicine Shop), "Tonghe" (Steelyard Store), and "Chengdexin" (Sauce and Pickle Shop). These stores continue to use the same methods of production, display, and operation as they did in ancient times.

Xidi and Hongcun

When speaking of Anhui, most people will surely mention Mt. Huang first. The excellent natural scenery always impresses the tourists deeply. However, if you take special notice of the ancient villages nearby, you will unexpectedly be pleasantly surprised with the dreamland villages - Xidi and Hongcun. Located at Yixian County Anhui Province, Xidi and Hongcun have about 400 - 500 years of history. The original residential style and features of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) and Qing Dynasties were preserved perfectly. Reputed as "A Living Ancient Residential Museum" by experts and tourists at home and from abroad, they were listed as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 2000. Xidi - A Cymbiform Village: Lying 8km northeast of Yixian County and built in 11 AD, Xidi is 700m long and 300m wide. Encircled by surrounding mountains, two streams cut across the whole village. As you walk downstream, you will be able to take in everything in a glance. Wooden architectures in Xi'di is unique and elegant: prettified walls preventing rain infiltration; black tiles recording the history of the town; decorative gate towers standing for the particular flavor of the architecture. Rich and exquisite wood carvings, stone engravings and tile carvings are also very representative. Rockeries, fish ponds, various parterres can be seen in the courtyard, where the ground is paved with cobbles. Well-arranged laneways, streams and architectures in Xidi are garden-like scenery. It is pleasing to both the eye and the mind. At present, there are 122 ancient well-preserved residential areas in the village. People come to see it not only just for the architecture but also to enjoy the rich cultures. Hongcun - A cattle-like village: A stream passes by every door in the Village like a cattle's gut; a semi lunar pond looks like the cattle's stomach; four bridges over the stream form the cattle's feet. This is the so-called cattle-like village. Located 10km northeast of Yixian County and built during the Sung Dynasty (960 - 1279), Hongcun has something similar to Xidi in its architectural style. The Halls of Chengzhi, Jingxiu and Dongxian are very typical of that era. With marbled ground, black tiles, fresh red lanterns, elaborate wood-carvings and august toriis, they are reputed as "the Folk Imperial Palaces". As one wanders along the path of the village, painters can be seen everywhere. People like drawing the natural and simple scenery in Hongcun. Many traditional Chinese paintings are about these two villages, which enjoy great popularity among the world. With one residence of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) and 132 residents of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Hongcun is a must-see place for travelers. Admission: �25