West Sea Grand Canyon Must-Play Guide

Among the strange peaks and bizarre rocks, shrouded in mist and clouds, this is a dreamland hailed by countless netizens as a "must-visit in this lifetime"!

01 Location: U-shaped canyon, two entrances and exits

West Sea Grand Canyon is located in the western part of Huangshan Scenic Area, forming a "U" shape. The canyon is surrounded by strange peaks and rocks such as Stone Pillar Peak, Stone Bed Peak, Thin Knife Peak, and Flying Rock.

There are two entrances and exits here: the North Entrance at Paiyun Pavilion and the South Entrance at Tianhai. It takes about 2 hours on foot from the North Entrance at Paiyun Pavilion through the first and second loops to the valley bottom; walking from the valley bottom to the South Entrance at Tianhai takes about 3 hours, while the sightseeing cable car only takes 5 minutes.

02 Scenic Features: Changing views with every step, unpredictable transformations

Unlike Tiandu Peak, Lotus Peak, and Bright Summit Peak which require climbing up, West Sea Grand Canyon is more about "exploration." The viewing angle changes from looking down to looking up, offering a completely different and fascinating perspective.

After rain when the sky clears, the layers of mountains appear faintly through the mist and clouds. Riding the sightseeing cable car feels like traveling through a fairyland. This sea of clouds scene is rare and highly sought after, and it is the most popular footage on Douyin.

From mid-April to late May in spring is the best time to admire Huangshan’s alpine rhododendrons. Along the winding mountain trails in the canyon, you may unexpectedly encounter a rhododendron tree, adding a touch of joy.

Starting in September, the colorful autumn hues slowly seep from the mountaintops to the foothills. By mid-October, the valley bottom presents a magnificent scene of red mountains and richly colored forests.

03 Touring Experience: Dreamlike scenery, popular cable car

The trails in West Sea Grand Canyon are mostly built along sheer cliffs, suspended above the precipitous cliffs. Walking on the plank roads, beside you is an unfathomable canyon, thrilling and breathtaking.

The canyon air is rich in negative ions and very fresh. Here, you can fully "refresh your lungs" and enjoy nature’s gift.

The popular "little train" (ground rail cable car) is a must-try in West Sea Grand Canyon. The cable car takes only 3 minutes from the valley bottom to the canyon top, with scenery along the way unfolding like movie scenes.

04 Touring Routes: Multiple options, each with unique features

Recommended one-day tour route: Take the Yungu Cableway up in the morning → Shixin Peak → Beihai Hotel → Paiyun Pavilion → West Sea Grand Canyon North Entrance → First Loop → Second Loop → Valley Bottom → Take the West Sea sightseeing cable car → Tianhai (lunch) → Aoyu Peak → Hundred-step Cloud Ladder → Take the Yuping Cableway down from Qian Mountain.

Recommended two-day tour route:

D1: Take the Yungu Cableway up, visit back mountain spots such as Shixin Peak, Lion Peak, and Danxia Peak, have lunch at West Sea Hotel or Paiyunlou Hotel, tour West Sea Grand Canyon in the afternoon, stay overnight at Baiyun Hotel or Bright Summit Villa;
D2: Watch sunrise at Bright Summit → check out from hotel → Aoyu Peak → One Line Sky → Hundred-step Cloud Ladder → Welcoming Pine → Take the Yuping Cableway down from Qian Mountain.

05 Practical Information: Ticket prices, opening hours

Huangshan Scenic Area ticket prices: Peak season 230 RMB/ticket (March 1 to November 30), winter 150 RMB/ticket (January, February, December).

Cableway ticket prices:

Peak season: Yungu and Taiping Cableways one-way 80 RMB/ticket; Yuping Cableway one-way 90 RMB/ticket; West Sea Grand Canyon sightseeing cable car one-way 100 RMB/ticket;
Winter: Yungu and Taiping Cableways one-way 65 RMB/ticket; Yuping Cableway one-way 75 RMB/ticket; West Sea Grand Canyon sightseeing cable car 80 RMB/ticket.

To ensure winter travel safety, West Sea Grand Canyon is closed for winter maintenance from December 1 to March 31 of the following year each year, with specific dates subject to scenic area notices.

After rain when the sky clears, the layers of mountains appear faintly through the mist and clouds. The sightseeing cable car shuttles through, as if heading to a fairyland train.

This is West Sea Grand Canyon, a place that makes you forget your worries and feel as if you are in a magical world.