Top attractions, what you must visit in a Anhui Trip

Anhui is home to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), one of China's most iconic scenic destinations, attracting millions of visitors from around the world each year. Widely regarded as one of China's most beautiful provinces, Anhui is also famous for its magnificent mountains, well-preserved Hui-style architecture, and centuries-old villages, offering a remarkable blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

From the granite peaks and sea of clouds of Huangshan to the sacred temples of Mount Jiuhua, the ancient villages of Hongcun and Xidi, and the scenic Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway, each attraction showcases a unique side of Anhui's history, culture, and natural beauty. Here are the Top 10 Attractions in Anhui to help you discover the very best the province has to offer.

Top 1: Yellow Mountain (Mt. Huangshan)

Huangshan, known as 'the loveliest mountain of China,” was acclaimed in art and literature during a significant part of Chinese history (e.g. the Shanshui mountain and water style of the mid-16th century). It is known for its “Four Wonders” – beautifully-shaped pines trees, fantastic rock peaks, sea of clouds and hot springs. Today, it holds the same fascination for visitors, poets, painters, and photographers who come on pilgrimage there.

It offers magnificent scenery with granite peaks and rocks rising from a sea of clouds. At dawn, standing atop Bright Summit Peak, you’ll understand why the ancients described this place as a realm where every breath feels like stepping into paradise. As the saying goes, “After seeing the Five Great Mountains, no other peaks seem worth visiting; but after seeing Mount Huangshan, even the Five Great Mountains lose their appeal.”

• Address: National Highway 205, Huangshan District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
• Opening hours: Peak Season (April 1 to November 30): 7:00 AM - 5:10 PM
• Off Season (December 1 to March 31): 8:00 AM - 4:40 PM
• Recommended visit duration: 1-2 days
• In addition, Huangshan Scenic Area offers night tours, which run from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The best time to enjoy the night scenery is around 7:00 PM.

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Top 2: Hongcun Ancient Village

Hongcun Ancient Village is one of the most beautiful and outstanding classic Anhui-style villages. The ingenious design of Hongcun’s water system resembles the shape of a water buffalo: Moon Pond represents the stomach, South Lake the belly, and the winding canals represent the intestines. The village’s residential houses which is traditional Huizhou architectural style form the body, while two ancient trees resemble horns at the entrance. Altogether, the entire village appears like a peaceful water buffalo lying serenely amidst green hills and clear waters.

Hongcun preserves over 140 well-maintained residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties and has been listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Its distinctive Huizhou-style architecture, characterized by white walls and black-tiled roofs, harmonizes beautifully with the crystal-clear waters of South Lake and Moon Pond, creating a scene as poetic as it is picturesque.

• Address: Hongcun Town, Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
• Opening hours: All day
• Recommended visit duration: 2 hours

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Top 3: Mount Jiuhua

Located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, about 200 km from Hefei, Mount Jiuhua is one of China's most celebrated Buddhist mountains. Its granite massif was formed approximately 80 to 135 million years ago, and millions of years of geological activity and weathering have shaped its spectacular landscape of rugged peaks, unusual rock formations, and lush forests. The highest peak, Shiwang Peak, rises to 1,342 meters above sea level. The mountain enjoys a humid climate with four distinct seasons, making it a pleasant destination throughout the year. The scenic area consists of the Jiuhuajie Scenic Area, Minyuan Scenic Area, and Tiantai Scenic Area on the mountain, as well as the Dayuan Culture Park and Huatai Scenic Area at its foot. From Tiantai Peak, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the sea of clouds.

Mount Jiuhua is one of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains, together with Mount Wutai in Shanxi, Mount Putuo in Zhejiang, and Mount Emei in Sichuan. It is regarded as the sacred mountain of Ksitigarbha (Dizang) Bodhisattva and is home to numerous historic temples and cultural treasures. Highlights include Tiantai Temple, the highest temple on the mountain, the magnificent Dongya Chan Temple, and the 99-meter-tall Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Statue. Blending magnificent natural scenery with profound Buddhist heritage, Mount Jiuhua offers a peaceful retreat for pilgrims, hikers, photographers, and travelers seeking both spiritual inspiration and scenic beauty.

• Address: Jiuhuashan Town, Qingyang County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province
• Opening hours: 07:00-17:30
• Recommended visit duration: 1–2 days

Top 4：Xidi Ancient Village

Xidi, renowned alongside Hongcun, is another gem of Huizhou-style architecture and one of the most representative ancient villages in southern Anhui Province. If Hongcun is like a vibrant watercolor painting, then Xidi is more like a classical poem, rich in meaning and atmosphere. Compared to the lively charm of Hongcun, Xidi exudes a deeper sense of simplicity and serenity.

The village preserves 124 well-maintained residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties, offering a rare glimpse into non-urban settlement styles that have largely disappeared or been transformed over the past century. These homes feature exquisite brick, wood, and stone carvings that showcase the remarkable craftsmanship of ancient Huizhou artisans.

• Address: Hongcun Town, Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
• Opening hours: All day
• Recommended visit duration: 2 hours

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Top 5: Mount Tianzhu

Mount Tianzhu is renowned for its "Four Wonders" of majestic peaks, extraordinary rock formations, beautiful waters, and secluded caves, making it one of Anhui Province's most iconic mountains. Its highest summit is Tianzhu Peak, which rises to 1,489.8 meters above sea level and stands like a giant pillar soaring into the sky. Over hundreds of millions of years, weathering has sculpted the granite into rounded peaks and distinctive rock formations, creating the mountain's spectacular landscape. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty once honored Mount Tianzhu with the title of "Southern Sacred Mountain", and its dramatic peaks and unique rock formations rival those of Huangshan.

The Mount Tianzhu Scenic Area is divided into the West Pass and East Pass sections, with the West Pass serving as the main sightseeing area. At an elevation of about 1,100 meters, Liandan Lake is a picturesque alpine reservoir surrounded by mountains, while Mystic Valley is one of the mountain's signature attractions. Stretching approximately 450 meters, this remarkable granite cave system was formed by rock collapse and consists of 54 naturally shaped caves, creating a fascinating landscape for visitors to explore.

Mount Tianzhu is also one of the birthplaces of Ancient Wan Culture. The mountain preserves nearly 400 cliff inscriptions left by renowned Chinese poets and scholars, including Li Bai, Bai Juyi, Su Shi, and Wang Anshi. Here, magnificent natural scenery blends seamlessly with a rich cultural heritage, making Mount Tianzhu a destination of both scenic beauty and historical significance.

• Address: Western part of Qianshan City, Anqing City, Anhui Province
• Opening hours: 07:00—17:30
• Recommended visit duration: 0.5-1day

Top 6: Tiantangzhai

Tiantangzhai stretches across Anhui and Hubei Provinces and is renowned for its pristine forests, spectacular waterfalls, and cool mountain climate. Recognized as one of China's Seven Great Waterfall Clusters, the scenic area is home to 108 waterfalls of various sizes. Its most famous waterfall group includes Jiuying Waterfall, Lovers' Waterfall, Xieyu Waterfall, Lady Waterfall, and Silver Bow Waterfall, all of which flow year-round. Cascading down steep cliffs with a thunderous roar, these waterfalls create breathtaking scenery, with Jiuying Waterfall being celebrated as the "No. 1 Waterfall in East China."

With an average annual temperature of around 22°C, Tiantangzhai offers a refreshing escape from the summer heat. Its dense forests produce exceptionally high levels of negative oxygen ions, earning it the reputation of a natural "oxygen bar." The mountain's highest summit, Baima Peak, rises to 1,480 meters above sea level and resembles a galloping horse. For hiking enthusiasts, Baima Grand Canyon is a must-visit, offering scenic trails through forests, streams, and waterfalls, as well as opportunities to spot rare wildlife. From the summit, visitors can enjoy magnificent views of the sea of clouds stretching across the surrounding mountains.

Notes：One of Tiantangzhai's unique attractions is its cross-provincial setting. Under the "One Ticket, Two Provinces" policy, visitors can enter from Anhui and exit through Hubei, or begin their journey in Hubei and finish in Anhui, making it easy to experience the natural beauty of both provinces in a single trip. Admission tickets are valid for 48 hours from the time of first use.

• Address: Tiantangzhai Town, Jinzhai County, Lu'an City, Anhui Province
• Opening hours: 8:00-17:30
• Recommended visit duration: 1-2day

Top 7: Huizhou Ancient City

Huizhou Ancient City is regarded as one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China, alongside Langzhong in Sichuan, Lijiang in Yunnan, and Pingyao in Shanxi. With a history dating back to the Qin Dynasty, the city boasts towering walls and four ancient gates that have stood for over a thousand years, guarding its rich heritage through the ages. Once a thriving cultural center, Huizhou bears the legacy of its former prosperity in its exquisite Huizhou-style architecture, the enduring traditions of Huizhou merchants, and the deep-rooted clan culture that continues to shape the soul of the city today.

• Address: About 100 meters northeast from the intersection of Huizhou Road and Xin'an Road, She County, Huangshan City
• Opening hours: All day
• Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours

Top 8: Sanhe Ancient Town

Sanhe Ancient Town is a renowned historic and cultural town in China, located in Feixi County, about 40 km south of Hefei. Named after the confluence of the Fengle River, Hangbu River, and Xiaonan River, the town boasts a history of more than 2,500 years. It is well known for its well-preserved ancient streets, traditional Hui-style architecture, and picturesque water-town scenery. Sanhe is also the birthplace of Lu Opera, a traditional folk opera of Anhui Province.

The town is home to numerous historical landmarks, including the ancient city wall, ancient fort, and the Prince Ying's Residence, where visitors can learn about the history of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. One of the town's most popular attractions is Xiangu Tower, located in the heart of the old town and regarded as a sacred place where locals pray for good fortune. Three rivers flow through the town, weaving between ten ancient streets and twenty-six narrow lanes, while stone bridges, historic alleyways, and centuries-old buildings create the timeless charm of a traditional Jiangnan water town.

• Address: Sanhang Road, Sanhe Town, Feixi County, Hefei City, Anhui Province
• Opening hours: All day
• Recommended visit duration: 1- 3 hours

Top 9: Qiyun Mountain

Compared to Huangshan's majestic grandeur, Qiyun Mountain embodies ethereal elegance and an otherworldly ambiance.‌ Situated directly opposite Huangshan, its name derives from the peak's perpetual alignment with drifting clouds. Renowned for ‌spectacular peaks, fantastical rock formations, secluded caves, and cascading waterfalls‌, it holds sacred status as one of ‌China's Four Great Taoist Mountains‌.

Ancient ‌Taoist temples‌ crown its slopes, characterized by ‌simple yet elegant architecture‌ that integrates seamlessly with the natural landscape. Hidden among its crags are countless ‌cliff inscriptions‌ carved by scholars and poets across dynasties, their verses echoing through the mists—a testament to the mountain's enduring spiritual gravitas.

• Address: No. 018, Yanqian Street, Qiyunshan Town, Xiuning County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
• Opening hours: 08:00-17:00
• Recommended visit duration: 2 hours

Top 10: Chengkan Ancient Village

It is often said that Huizhou architecture is the finest in China, and Chengkan is the finest in Huizhou. Chengkan Ancient Village, built during the Eastern Han dynasty, is the oldest surviving settlement designed entirely on Bagua (Eight Trigrams) principles. This unique layout earned it the title ‘China’s No. 1 Feng Shui Village’. For over 1,800 years, its streets have mirrored the primordial Bagua’s sacred geometry. Today, it still preserves the original “three main streets and ninety-nine alleys” from the Eastern Han and Three Kingdoms periods, along with over 180 ancient buildings and relics from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Some Neolithic and Bronze Age artifacts have also been unearthed here. Chengkan is one of the most well-preserved villages showcasing traditional Hui-style architecture.

• Address: No. 78, Baolun Road, Chengkan Town, Huizhou District, Huangshan City
• Opening hours: 7:00-18:00
• Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours

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