May 15, 2024 – When most travelers think of Anhui, Huangshan’s granite peaks come to mind. But beyond the crowds, I discovered a province brimming with cultural secrets and geological marvels. Over seven days, I wandered through villages frozen in time, climbed Taoist holy mountains, and swam in jade-colored rivers – all without jostling for photo space. Join me as I unveil Anhui’s best-kept secrets!
Why Anhui Offbeat? While researching, I stumbled upon ancient poems praising Tianzhu Mountain and copper-coin markets in forgotten towns. The promise of experiencing China beyond tourist hubs hooked me. Total cost? Under $500 including transport, stays, and entrance fees – a steal for authentic encounters!
Day 1: Heavenly Pillars & Vertical Stairs
Tianzhu Mountain (天柱山) – “The mountain poets forgot to tell the world about”. Arrived via high-speed rail to Qianshan Station ($15 ticket), then a shuttle bus ($1.5) to the base. My homestay host, Mama Li, warned: “Big Loop needs early start – dragons wake at sunrise!” She wasn’t wrong.
Big Loop Challenge (4-5 hours): Took the Dalongwo Cable Car ($15) up, saving knees for the real test. Three moments stole my breath:
- Mysterious Valley: Maze of boulders where fog plays hide-and-seek
- Penglai Peak: Stood on a thumbprint-sized platform – drone shots look like I’m floating!
- Qinglong Backbone: Walked a dragon’s spine with 500m drops on both sides
Cost Breakdown: Entrance $16 | Cable Car $15 RT | Homestay $25 | Regrets: Priceless
Pro Tip: Skip the summit snack stalls – overpriced instant noodles. Pack baozi (steamed buns) from base vendors instead!
Day 2-3: Emerald Waters & Mountain Spirits
Chizhou’s Hidden Gems – Rented a bike ($3/day) to explore beyond guidebooks:
| Spot | Highlight | Cost |
| Guniujiang | Swam in mineral-blue pools straight from fantasy novels | Free! |
| Nuoxian Town | Ate chili-marinated tofu watching 800-year-old Nuo opera | $1.50/show |
| Jiuhuashan | Meditated beside 99m golden Buddha at sunset | $23 |
At Chef Descends Mountain restaurant, I had my “I’ll die happy now” moment with stinky mandarin fish – fermented perfection paired with bamboo shoot stir-fry ($12 feast!).
Transport Hack: Used Didi’s “Hitch” feature for $5 rides between villages. Drivers often detoured to show hidden waterfalls!
Day 4: Taoist Clouds & Forgotten Stairways
Qiyun Mountain (齐云山) – Huangshan’s introverted sibling. Took the Yuehua Cable Car ($12) up through cotton-candy clouds. Unlike crowded Huangshan, I shared the Moonlight Sky Street – a cliff-hugging Ming Dynasty village – with just three elderly Taoist nuns burning incense.
The real adventure began at Fangla Fortress: crumbling watchtowers connected by mossy stairs where I channeled my inner Indiana Jones. At Danxia Corridor, sunset painted the sandstone crimson – no safety rails, just raw beauty.
Caution: East Route trails lack signage. My “shortcut” added 2 hours – worth every misstep for solitary vistas!
Day 5-6: Copper Coins & Cosmic Villages
Yongquan Town & Yangchan Earth Buildings – Time-travel central!
- Yongquan’s “Copper Economy”: Traded RMB for brass coins at Qianzhuang (Money House). Bought steaming shaobing (sesame cakes) from grannies using 200-year-old scales ($0.50/coin)
- Midnight in Yi Jiangnan: Followed fireflies through forest paths lit by paper lanterns – pure Studio Ghibli magic
- Yangchan’s Alien Landscape: 367 honey-hued earth buildings stacked like Jenga blocks. Homestay owner Granny Zheng shared tea made from wild mountain herbs ($12/night)
Budget Secret: Yangchan has no entrance fee! Just $3 shuttle from visitor center. Arrive before 8am to photograph buildings gilded by sunrise.
Day 7: Ink-Stained Dreams
Xuan Paper Town – Where culture gets hands-on. Made my own paper using 1,500-year-old techniques ($8 workshop):
- Pounded bark fibers in wooden mortars
- Scooped slurry through bamboo screens
- Pressed sheets onto heated stone walls
The museum revealed paper’s revolutionary role – from Buddhist sutras to explosive recipes! Bought a scroll painted with local landscapes ($15) – lighter than memories, stronger than stone.
“In Anhui’s quiet corners, I didn’t just see China – I touched its pulse in paper fibers, tasted it in village kitchens, and carried it home in copper coins still smelling of fire and mountain air.”
Final Costs: $485 total | $70/day including all transport, food, stays. Beats any luxury resort for soul value!
Essential Tips:
- When: April-May or September-October (avoid summer humidity)
- Transport: High-speed trains connect all hubs. Local buses chaotic but cheap ($0.50-3)
- Packing: Hiking poles (rentable for $1), quick-dry clothes, reusable chopsticks
- Connectivity: WeChat Pay works everywhere – carry some cash for villages
Anhui taught me that China’s heart beats strongest where tourist buses don’t rumble. Go before the secret’s out!
This itinerary is a dream! I’m planning a trip for next spring. How were the crowds in April? Also, is the stinky mandarin fish really that good? 😄
Hi WanderlustWendy! April is perfect – flowers blooming and comfortable temperatures. The crowds at Tianzhu were minimal compared to Huangshan. And the stinky fish? An acquired taste but absolutely worth trying! Granny Zheng’s version is legendary.
That Hundred-Step Cloud Ladder looks terrifying! Did you see many older travelers attempting it? My parents (60s) are avid hikers but I worry about the steepness.
Just returned from Yangchan! Your tip about sunrise was spot on. We met Granny Zheng too – she taught us to make wild herb tea. Question: Did you find reliable ATMs in the villages? We struggled with cash.
AdventureAmy – Thrilled you met Granny Zheng! For cash: Qianshan Station has ATMs. In Yongquan, the post office exchanges currency. Always carry ¥500 emergency cash though – those mountain ATMs can be moody!
$485 for 7 days?! How’d you keep food costs so low? I’m planning a solo trip and terrified of overspending. Any secret cheap eats beyond the baozi tip?
BudgetBackpacker – Game changer: village “canteens”! Near Tianzhu’s base, look for unmarked doors with red lanterns. ¥15 gets you rice + 3 veg dishes. Also, night markets after 8pm have half-price grilled goodies!