This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Huangshan.
Huangshan is an amazing place in the province of Anhui, on the eastern part of China. Climbing Huangshan is considered one of the main attractions in the whole of China, because of its stunning and breathtaking scenery. The best time to visit Huangshan is in autumn, but the weather can be very unpredictable, so try to be in the area for a few days (so that you can decide which day is better to do the walking, depending on the forecast). The best place to start the climbing is in Tangkou, where you can buy food supplies and maps, withdraw some money, arrange transportation, and keep your luggage (there are regular buses from Tunxi to Tangkou).
There are three possible ways to reach the summit -– the eastern steps (which is short and hard), the western steps (which are long and even harder), and the cable car (which is the easy way, but probably not so rewarding). The most popular hiking in Huangshan is a two-day/one-night trek -– you start in the eastern part, walk around the summit, spend the night there, get up early to see the amazing sunrise, and then return through the western side. Even the climbing is hard, you don't need a guide because the trails are well defined and there are signals in English.
If you are a traveler on a low budget, and you want to spend the night in the summit, make sure that you bring enough food, drinks, and snacks -- at the top, everything is overpriced.
There are a couple of hostels in Huangshan, but in high season you need to book in advance to assure vacancies and better rates. Huangshan's hostels are simple, with a traditional architecture, and with the average facilities, being a good value for money.
Written by local enthusiast for Huangshan hostels
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