Huangshan Travel Forum

Hi,

Please advise whether the following itinerary is possible/recommendable:

Day 1: Take train from Shanghai to Hangzhou (2hrs); take express bus to Huangshan (4hrs). Climb mountain via Eastern Steps. Sleep on top.
Day 2: Wake up to sunrise on Huangshan summit. Enjoy mountain a bit, then descend via Western Steps. Take minibus to Tnuxi (70min). Take an evening flight from Huangshan airport at 22:40 (10:40pm) back to Shanghai.
Day 3: Fly out of Shanghai around noon.

Any comments on the above? Also, if you know details regarding train/bus schedules, please let me know. Thanks a lot.

I would suggest that you take a bus directly to Huangshan instead of going through Hangzhou which doesn't seem to save you any time. Furthermore, trains arrive at Hangzhou main or East train station, whereas buses to Huangshan would leave from Hangzhou West long-distance bus station. All these aren't close to one another.
If you're ok with getting up early, earliest bus leaves from Shanghai main long-distance bus station (north of Shanghai main train station) at 0530. Journey time should be no more than 6 hours.
From the base of Western Steps, I would allow for around 30 mins to get to Tangkou. Then 1.5 hours from Tangkou to Tunxi.
Personally I prefer to ascend via Taiping cable car and do West Sea Canyon, but I'm not sure if you'll have enough time.
When are you travelling? Would you perhaps have the time to meet up in Shanghai if you want to discuss possibilities or ideas?

Hi Ellyse,

Thanks so much for the response. Yes, I would be delighted to discuss more and even meet in Shanghai. I arrive in Shanghai in the evening of July 15. I will spend all day on July 16 in Shanghai. I have to plan my whole itinerary in advance since I will be departing from China on July 19. I wanted to stop by in Hangzhou since all my Chinese friends tell me it's a beautiful town, but if I had to choose, I'd skip it for Huangshan. I don't mind hiking up and down the mountain. The only question is whether there will be time. If there won't be time, then I will take the 5:30 bus from Shanghai directly to Huangshan as you suggest.

For returning from the mountain, I understand that from the base of the mountain to the airpoirt in Tunxi should take at least 2hrs. Could you help me with bus schedules? Is there a waiting time for the bus at the base to Tangkou and in Tangkou to Tunxi? My flight from Tunxi to Shanghai is at 22:40. When will I have to be at the base of the mountain to make it safely for that flight?

Thanks again,

Michael

Hmmm, is there a reason that you must spend 16/7 in Shanghai? Or is that negotiable?
What time does your flight arrive on 15/7?
I think the buses for Tangkou -- Tunxi would stop operation by around 1830 or so, so you'll have to scoot off by that time anyway.
Have you already gotten your China visa?
I've received your email and will reply you in more detail there.