Huangshan
 

Need help - seeking an inexpensive and quick way to go to Huangshan from Shanghai and then to Hong Kong from Hunagshan. Looking for a place to stay at the top of the mountain. And any suggestions.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance. Susan

Susan,<BR>We stayed at the Beihai hotel at the top of the mountain. It's in a good location, close to the cable car station (actually, you'll have to negotiate 300 steps, but on Huangshan, that's close!). It's listed as a 3-star hotel, but wouldn't qualify as that anyplace else. However, it's about as good as you'll find at the top.<BR>If you don't travel light, you'll have to find someplace at the bottom to stash your luggage - you probably won't have room to take it on the cable car (and you won't want to manhandle it at the top). We stayed the night before in Tanxi (a couple of hours drive to the cable car), and the hotel kept our luggage while we were on the mountain.<BR>Take a look at this website for more Huangshan info: http://www.hkadventurer.com/huangshan/huangshan.html

Thanks Les,<BR><BR>I thought the cable car took you directly to the top of the mountain. Where were you coming from and where did you go after your trip to Huangshan? Will look at the site you sent.<BR>Thanks - Susan

Susan,<BR>Actually, the "top of the mountain" at Huangshan is somewhat misleading, as the area contains multiple peaks (hence there is a LOT of up and down stair climbing once at the "top"). you actually have to walk DOWN 300 steps from the cable car to the hotel. There's enough hiking to keep you busy for at least a couple of days, should you chose to stay. It's very beautiful and relaxing at the top, and pretty much a "pilgrimage" destination for the Chinese.<BR>We flew into Tanxi from Shanghai, spent the night in Tanxi, drove to the cable car the next morning (very pretty drive), and spent the night at the top. Then back to Tanxi, where we flew to Lijiang (via Shanghai). All told, we probably had a full day at the top. I would have liked to stay a bit longer.

Susan,<BR>Here's another site that might be helpful re. Huangshan:<BR>http://www.chinavista.com/entravel/d...ight.php?id=15

I stayed at Baiyin hotel when I was there last September. It was further away than Beihai hotel but the area was less crowded. On some trails we were the only people there, it was great. The hotel was comfortable and clean. <BR><BR>If you have time and fit enough, I would recommend you hike down the mountain. There were some breathtaking sceneries which you wouldn't see from the riding the cable car. It took me under three hours to get down. My legs were a bit tired but it well worth the effort( I hiked both ways).

Les, went to the site you suggested and e-mailed them for a tour quote - the airfare was quite expensive and they said that we could not go from Huangshan to Hong Kong but would have to go back to Shanghai and then from there fly to Hong Kong. I thought you could go from Huangshan to Hong Kong. Considering what might be an expensive (for us) excursion I am beginning to wonder if it is worth it. True, it is a place we wanted to go. If you know of any other sites that might be of help I would appreciate knowing about them.<BR>Thanks, Susan

Susan,<BR>Both of the sites I posted were only to provide you with info about Huangshan. I didn't use them for any travel arrangements, and therefore can't comment on their rates or accuracy. However, since my to/from flights originated in Shanghai, they may be correct. However, I wouldn't take their word for it. Check with travel agents (or perhaps Peter can provide insight) re. other flights.<BR>As for whether it's worth seeing, certainly cost and schedule factor into that. For me, it was a highlight, and one of the destinations that was non-negotiable when I planned my trip. But I planned my trip (my 3rd time to China, by the way) by perusing several photographic and informational books on China, choosing those places that I absolutely wanted to see (or see again), (based on the descriptions, photos, or personal experience), and telling my travel agent to work out an itinerary that covered them all. If you want an itinerary that "flows smoothly" through Huangshan, perhaps you should also look at surface transportation (trains, busses).<BR>Sorry I can't be of more help here.<BR>As for Carrie's comments re. hiking up/down, consider the time available and your physical condition when making this decision. There are 20,000 steps to the top (and many more after reaching the top). While I MIGHT have been able to hike up, I assure you that I wouldn't have enjoyed the top as much had I done so. By the way, Carrie, how long did it take you to hike UP the mountain? I can see using the best part of a day doing that.<BR> Les

Les, it took me and my friend just over three hours, the rest of group three hours and a half to hike up to our hotel. We take the easier eastern route up and came down by the western side. There were four over 60-ers in our group who managed to hike both ways and two in their early 70's hiked down with us. They did not seem to have any problem. You just have to judge your own fitness and pace yourself. <BR><BR>It was nice to be able to stop and admire the stunningly beautiful scenery whenever we wanted to. The Huangshan hike was the highlight of my third trip to China (Yangtze River cruise was disappointingly anti-climax).

Susan, when I toured China for 2 weeks a few years ago, I found Huangshan to be the highlight of my trip. But that's because nature is what I enjoy most. There was a couple who was bored after a short walk and after seeing a few peaks. Clouds that play hide and seek with the peaks are most amusing. Everyone just sits there waiting for clouds to part, and when it looks like a peak is becoming visible, there's a lot of commotion and rejoicing. Then we moved on to the next. Be sure to get up before daylight, and you might just see a glorious sunrise. You will also see more peaks very early in the morning before heat from the valley below rises. THe only thing is there is no guarantee that you may see anything. The day after we left, our guide told us that the mountain was covered the whole day.<BR><BR>

Appreciate everyone's help. At this time I can get a good hotel rate - $77, but am unable to find an inexpensive way to go from Shanghai to Huangshan and back.<BR>The last rate I received from one of the travel agent sites was $646 pp. That is way out of our price range for one night in Huangshan.<BR>Since this is something we really want to do, still looking for suggestions.<BR>Susan

The rates quoted for hotels and organized travel booked from overseas are ludicrous, as travel in China always is when booked in this way.<BR><BR>Go to Shanghai and simply book your transport (train or plane) from there, and deal with your hotel on arrival, and you'll just pay normal prices--perhaps half of what was quoted. However, if you are travelling in the summer try not to visit Huang Shan at the weekend. In general the Chinese do not travel much in the summer--and it's their numbers that matter not the relatively insignificant numbers of foreign visitors--but the Shanghainese do make a bolt for cooler places during weekends in the hotter part of the year, such as Wuyi Shan, Putuo Shan, and Huang Shan. You should also avoid the period around the first week in October--now a week-long national holiday. At that time you'll also need to book ahead from Shanghai. But call yourself and haggle, or use a disinterested Mandarin-speaking third party, and never an agent.<BR><BR>As for inexpensive transport, the daily K818 leaves Shanghai at 7.43 each morning, arriving at Huang Shan at 19.00. The station is at Tunxi (also called Huang Shan Shi), about 50km/1 hour from Tangkou at the base of Huang Shan. There will be buses which meet the train, although I'm not clear as to what time the cable cars from Tangkou upwards run, so you might have to use that as a base for at least one night.<BR><BR>To reach Hong Kong from Huang Shan you'd probably need to change at Nanjing and Guangzhou (or Shenzhen). There are no direct trains.<BR><BR>Peter N-H<BR>http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html<BR><BR>

Peter, thank you very much for the information and the correct spelling of Huang Shan, I have always seen it spelt as one word.<BR><BR>When we get to Shanghai I will find a travel agent to deal with. We plan to go to Huang Shan in the middle of November.<BR>Once again - thank you.<BR><BR>Susan