Travel to Huangshan the Yellow Mountain

Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain in English, is the most famous mountain in China. At a height of almost 5,000 feet, Huangshan is situated in the east of China about 43 miles from Shanghai. According to Chinese people it is also the most beautiful mountain in China and although I haven't visited any others yet, it is certainly going to take some beating! They say that once you have visited Huangshan there is no need to visit any others because they just pale into insignificance in comparison.

So when is the best time to visit Yellow Mountain? Different people will give you different answers, but the truth is there really isn't a best time to visit because the mountain has so much to offer in different ways at different times of the year. Spring and autumn or fall are good times to go, but let's look at the opposite extremes of the most popular season, summer, and the least popular season, winter.

Summer

Pros:
It's a great escape from the scorching Chinese summer heat
Skies are clear and from the top of the mountain, you can see right down to the bottom.
All the paths and all parts of the mountain are open to visitors.
You can get to meet lots of great people from all around the world.
Spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

Cons:
You're unlikely to see the famous and beautiful sea of clouds.
Hotels, admission tickets, food etc. are more expensive.
Too many tourists.
Long queues

Winter

Pros:
You get to see the sea of clouds.
Snow on the mountain and on the trees is beautiful.
Very few tourists.
It's cheaper.
Off the bus and straight onto a cable car.

Cons:
Some of the best parts of the mountain are closed to visitors.
Weather can be erratic with few clear days.
Snow and ice can make the paths very slippery.
Sunrises and sunsets are not so spectacular.
It can get very cold, especially when you're waiting for that "one" picture

Personally, I prefer winter. Aside from not having to queue for a cable car for three hours, I think it's because I love photography so much. I really like arriving at a scenic spot and finding I'm the only one there. I can just set up my tripod with no waiting for people to move on; no pressure from people behind waiting for me to move on, and I can just take in the spectacular scenery that is so overpowering and makes you feel like you are just a tiny speck on the planet.

Getting prime position for sunrise and sunset is also a lot easier in winter. In summer you have to get up way before sunrise to find a spot where you'll have an interrupted view without fear of having heads pop up into your photographs. Some of them are fearless too! I never thought I was afraid of heights, but that vertigo sure kicks in at some of the best places on Huangshan. All bravado gets left behind in some parts as all you can do to move on is to cling to the wall of the mountainside.....and many people do! If I didn't have such a strong desire to try and get the best pictures, I'm sure I wouldn't have been nearly as brave when it came to approaching those sheer drops! Anyway, in winter, you can get to the best locations for sunrise about 15 minutes before, and find your spot deserted.

So if you're choosing between summer and winter to visit, I think it comes down to how much time you have to spend up there. If you're short of time and it'll be the only chance you have of going there then go in summer so you'll be guaranteed the good weather and unspoiled views. If you have four or five days then go in winter when you won't be guaranteed the weather, but you will be guaranteed the most incredible views and photo opportunities.

Last year we went in December between Christmas and New Year. Unfortunately the bad weather days outnumbered the good weather days, but that was to be expected and we had booked to stay there long enough to know that at least we would get at least one good day and a few good hours on the bad days! I felt sorry for the people who were there on day trips on the bad days. They would walk along in their tour groups and go from spot to spot and their guide would explain everything about the scene and point out all the amazing things for them to look at and take pictures of, and all they could do was imagine what was out there because they couldn't see further than 10 meters!

Whatever the weather though, it's the "Wow!" moments that make the place magical. Standing on a precipice with just a cloud of thick mist in front of you and below you and not knowing what's out there or where it ends, and then suddenly the wind picks up and the mist clears. This vision of magnificence appears, and for a second your brain can't quite work out what it is you're seeing; just that it is something really amazing. Then it all comes together and it's "Wow!" When the mist soon descends again you don't want to leave. You want to stay for that "Wow!" moment just one more time...and then one more...

At the end of the day, a visit to Huangshan is worth it at any time of the year. Come rain or shine, blue skies or mist, you're always guaranteed an adventure of a lifetime and memories you'll treasure forever!

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