Trifter

You may know Huangshan already. Chinese artists have been painting these mountains for many years. Pictures of sharp peaks rising into the clouds, accompanied by a particular variety of pine tree has been a standard in Chinese painting. Much of the inspirations for these paintings has come from the Huangshan, Yellow Mountain area.

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There are a few cable cars, 3 or 4 from different locations at the base of the mountains, to carry visitors to the peaks. Just the ride in the cable cars is a real treat. For those that are a bit wary about taking on heights you will have your nails bitten to the nailbed! The cable cars are large and will accommodate up to 100 people although the 80 (including children) that we packed in seemed to be more than enough. The cable car passes over magnificent gorges and huge granite precipices that will leave you breathless.

We travelled to Huangshan in the Autumn and the mountains were alive with bright colours from wonderful greens and yellows to fiery reds and oranges. I am told Spring is also a lovely time to visit with wildflowers in bloom alongside gardens of rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas. There are many hotels on the peaks and they all have wonderful gardens that both stand out from and mingle into the surrounding native vegetation.

The hotels are serviced by porters. There are no roads on the mountains and all supplies are carried in by hand. The porters are on all the paths carrying their heavy loads in between the tourists wandering around. We saw them hauling large concrete bricks, laundry, food of all varieties, water bottles in cartons, tools and implements. Everything that comes onto the mountain is carried on by the porters and carried off again when used.

The paths are linked by thousands of steps and you could spend a few days on the mountains walking all the different trails. One of the most spectacular is the area known as the Grand Canyon where the steps defy all reason and hang precariously off the side of the mountain. I don’t think I would bring small children onto these path ways and steps – one slip and never to be seen again!

Huangshan is spectacular. So pop on your hiking boots, put a jacket in your backpack as it can be very cool and start climbing!

Huangshan Tours