Mount Qiyun

Background

Mount Qiyun lies in Xiuning County, Huangshan, Anhui, at the foot of the Huangshan range about 33 km from downtown Huangshan, and rises to 585 meters. It is a Danxia landform, where red sandstone cliffs contrast with green woods. Many Taoist temples are built against cliff faces and into caves; Taisu Palace, Yuxu Palace, the Zhenxian Cave Residence and Yuehua Street are scattered across the mountain, along with a great many cliff inscriptions and stone tablets. In ancient times the mountain was called Baiyue ("White Peak"). It is one of China's four sacred Taoist mountains; its temples are largely dedicated to the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven (Zhenwu), and it is nicknamed "Little Wudang of Jiangnan."

Local customs

• Take the cable car up and stroll along Yuehua Street
• visit Taisu Palace and Yuxu Palace to see temples built into the cliffs and their inscriptions
• follow the trails past red Danxia cliffs
• climb high for seas of cloud and sunset colors.

Travel tips

• The paths have many steps, so wear non-slip shoes
• cable-car and ticket prices are as officially announced. Food options inside the scenic area are limited, so you may want to bring water
• seas of cloud are most likely on mornings after rain in spring and autumn.
• Take a high-speed train to Huangshan North Station, then a scenic-area shuttle or taxi
• or go from downtown Huangshan to Xiuning and change there
• drivers can follow the signs. March to May brings frequent mist, October and November have fine autumn colors, and summer is relatively cool on the mountain.