Please help me with walking the trails on Huangshan Mountain

Question

I visited Huangshan 26 years ago. My memory is a bit hazy about the distance/time. I am sure a few things had also been changed in the past 26 years.

My wife and I are both over 76, not a young chick anymore. We plan to take the high speed train from Xi'an to Huangshan. I believe it would arrive after 7pm. We want to take DiDi to Tangkou and spend a night there.

The next day, we will take the Yungu cable car to the mountain in the morning. We want to spend the rest of the day for the first part of our walking tour. We will check in BaiYun Hotel (the big red circle on the attached map) for dinner and spend the night. The next morning, after breakfast, it will be the second part of our walking tour. We would like, if possible, to wind our way to the Yuping Cableway station to take the cable car down towards the end of the day (5pm).

Given our age (we are healthy and probably can walk 4-6 miles on each of the 2 trips without too much problem, if it is not too many stairs or too steep.

Can someone please suggest a walking itinerary that would fit our situation? Please refer to the attached map so we are talking about the same language.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q3Sx7r29MmmGaztRkJVzE4nyXPkE59UZ/view?usp=drive_link

Answer

Based on your plan and considering your age and fitness level, a gentle and scenic itinerary for Huangshan Mountain is advisable. Since you are aiming to walk around 4-6 miles each day and prefer routes without too many stairs or steep sections, the following plan balances sightseeing with comfort.

Day 1: Arrival and Overnight in Tangkou

Your high-speed train from Xi'an will likely arrive after 7pm. Taking a DiDi ride to Tangkou is the best option, as it is close to the mountain entrances. Check into your chosen hotel in Tangkou, rest well, and prepare for an early start the next day. Dinner can be enjoyed at the hotel or a nearby restaurant in Tangkou.

Day 2: First Part of the Walking Tour (Yungu Cable Car – Baiyun Hotel)

Start early in the morning and take the Yungu Cable Car up to the mountain. This cable car saves energy and provides a scenic start to your trip.

From the Yungu Cable Car upper station, walk towards the Bright Summit (Guangming Ding) area. This section is mostly paved and not extremely steep, offering beautiful panoramic views.
After reaching Bright Summit, continue along the gentle paths to the Refreshing Terrace (Xiihai) area. This allows you to enjoy iconic granite peaks and cloud seas without strenuous climbing.
Follow the walkway leading to Baiyun Hotel, where you can check in and have lunch or dinner. The hotel is centrally located and a convenient resting point for your first day.

Estimated walking distance for this day: 4-5 miles, mostly on paved trails with some gentle stairs. Take your time to rest at scenic spots along the way.

Day 3: Second Part of the Walking Tour (Baiyun Hotel – Yuping Cableway)

After breakfast at Baiyun Hotel, begin your second-day walk. Your goal is to reach the Yuping Cableway station in the late afternoon, ideally around 5pm for the cable car ride down.

From Baiyun Hotel, proceed to the Cloud-dispelling Pavilion (Paiyun Lou) area. The paths here are slightly steeper but manageable if taken slowly and with breaks.
Walk towards the North Sea Scenic Area (Beihai) for more gentle trails and remarkable rock formations, including some iconic peaks visible from well-maintained paths.
Continue along the winding paths towards Yuping Cableway. This route avoids the more challenging West Sea Grand Canyon trails and focuses on moderate elevation changes.
Board the Yuping Cableway to descend safely, completing your two-day walking tour without overly strenuous sections.

Estimated walking distance for this day: 4-5 miles. The paths are scenic, with occasional gentle stairs. Pace yourselves and enjoy the mountain views.

Tips for a Comfortable Trip:

Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes suitable for mountain walking.
Bring a light trekking stick or walking pole to aid balance and reduce strain on knees.
Carry water and light snacks; Huangshan has rest areas but food options can be limited on trails.
Check weather conditions before starting; fog and rain can make paths slippery.
Take frequent breaks to enjoy the scenery and avoid overexertion.

With this itinerary, you can enjoy the most iconic sights of Huangshan, including granite peaks, cloud seas, and scenic viewpoints, while keeping the walking distance and difficulty moderate, suitable for your age and comfort level.

Please help me with walking the trails on Huangshan Mountain

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