Mount Huangshan, an integration of natural and cultural values, is commended with the three high honors of World Cultural Heritage, World Natural Heritage and World Geopark. The mountain has been an inexhaustible source of the inheritance and development of thought and philosophiesof the Chinese people since the Tang Dynasty. Numerous scientists, philosophers, literati and artists have been inspired by the mountain throughout history. ?

-- “Huangshan painting” four-day science tour

Highlights: Tunxi Ancient Street, “Charm of Hui Culture” show, Mount Huangshan Scenic Area, Mount Huangshan hot spring, Xidi or Hongcun Ancient Village.

D1: Arrive at Tunxi District, Huangshan City. Tour the Tunxi Ancient Street (dubbed a “l(fā)ively version of the famous painting ‘Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival’”). Catch the late night show “Charm of Hui Culture” to learn more about Huizhou’s folk customs and history.

D2: Take a bus to the Mount Huangshan Scenic Area. Take the Yungu Cableway to ascend the mountain. Indulge yourself in painting at the North Sea Scenic Area throughout the morning. Afterwards, you will climb the Shixin Peak to watch such famous Mount Huangshan pines as the Black Tiger Pine, the Couple Pine, the Dragon Claw Pine and the Overlooking the Sea of Clouds Pine. You will also be able to watch several oddly-shaped rocks like the Flower Growing out of A Writing Brush and Monkey Watching Sea of Clouds. Enjoy the dreamlike sceneries of Mount Huangshan at the Refreshing Terrace, the Cloud-Dispersing Pavilion and the West Sea Grand Canyon.

D3: Watch the sunrise early in the morning. After breakfast, head out to the West Sea Scenic Area to do some more painting. Afterwards, you will tour the Flying-over Rock and the Bright Top and view the distant Lotus Peak when you make your way to the Sky Sea Scenic Area and the Turtle Peak. When you arrive at the Jade Screen Scenic Area, which is said to best represent the sceneries of Mount Huangshan, you will be in close contact with the iconic Mount Huangshan pines -- the Guest-Greeting Pine and the Guest-Farewell Pine. If you are physically up for it, you can challenge yourself by climbing up and down the Celestial Capital Peak, the steepest peak of the mountain. You can also skip the climb and take the Yuping Cableway to descend from the mountain. Afterwards, enjoy a Mount Huangshan hot spring bath.

D4: After breakfast, take a bus to the World Cultural Heritage site Xidi Ancient Village or Hongcun Ancient Village where you can engage in painting the picturesque villages. Here, surrounded by Hui-style architecture, you can fully experience the profoundness of Hui culture and get to know what local villages were like in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). After lunch, return or make your own plans.

--?“Huangshan geology” three-day science tour

Highlights: Tangkou, Mount Huangshan hot spring, Mount Huangshan Scenic Area and Tunxi Ancient Street

D1: Arrive in Tangkou Town of the Mount Huangshan Scenic Area. Check out the landform of the 人-shaped Waterfall and the Thousand-feet Waterfall as well as the landforms of the Xiaoyao Stream. Look for remains of the Quaternary Ice Age.

D2: Enter the Mount Huangshan Scenic Area via the Mercy Light Pavilion and make your way up the mountain to view the landforms of the Mercy Light Pavilion Valley, the Standing Horse Bridge and the Qingluan Peak. When atop the mountain, focus on the landforms of the Sky Sea Scenic Area and the Bright Top. Try to find out whether these landforms are proof of the Quaternary Ice Age.

D3: Head out to the North Sea Scenic Area in the morning and check out the landforms of the Lion Forest. Descend from the mountain in the afternoon via the White Goose Ridge and the Cloud Valley Temple. On your way down, take a closer look at the impact the granite and basalt have on each other and the changes of granite granules. Return to Tunxi District in downtown Huangshan. Stroll along the Tunxi Ancient Street (dubbed a “l(fā)ively version of the famous painting ‘Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival’”) and enjoy the beautiful Mountain and River Gallery along the Xinan River. Afterwards, return or make your own plans.

Tour supplier: Huangshan Zhonghai International Travel Service Management Comapany