Southern Anhui Landscapes & Ancient Villages Grand Loop

Depart from Hefei to loop through Mount Jiuhua, Guniujiang, Mount Huangshan, the six counties of Huizhou, and Taohuatan.

An in-depth, long-distance route through southern Anhui: Head south from Hefei, visiting Mount Jiuhua and the mountain villages of Shitai first, then stay in Hongcun, climb Mount Huangshan, leisurely explore Shexian and the ancient villages of Jixi, and return to Hefei via Jingxian. The entire loop is about 1,000 km with reasonable daily driving times, making it ideal for families on self-drive trips or return visitors with plenty of time. Note that the winding mountain roads of the Sichuan-Tibet Road are excluded, and Mount Huangshan is explored mainly via the cable car routes.

The scenery is best during the spring rapeseed flower season and late autumn in the ancient villages. Scenic areas can be crowded during long holidays.

Day by day

Day 1 · Half-Day in Hefei Old Town

Hefei（Lord Bao Park、Former Residence of Li Hongzhang、Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street）

Arrive in Hefei and stay around Huaihe Road. Bao Gong Park and the Former Residence of Li Hongzhang are accessible on foot or by taxi.

Stay: Huaihe Road–Dadongmen

Day 2 · Sanhe Ancient Town to Mount Jiuhua

Hefei（Sanhe Ancient Town）

Drive about 1 hour from Hefei to Sanhe. In the afternoon, take the highway to the foot of Mount Jiuhua (about 2.5 hours).

Stay: Kecun New District

Day 3 · Dayuan Park & Jiuhua Street

Mount Jiuhua（Jiuhua Dayuan (Great Vow) Culture Park、Huacheng Temple、Roushen Hall (Yueshen Hall)、Baisui Palace）

Drive from Kecun to the Dayuan Cultural Park, then head to the tourist center to transfer to the scenic area shuttle up to Jiuhua Street. This is a full-day round trip.

Stay: Kecun New District

Day 4 · Qiupu River Scenic Byway to Guniujiang

Shitai（Qiupu River Scenic Area、Zuishanye Scenic Area、Penglai Fairy Cave）

Drive from Mount Jiuhua to Jitan to join the Qiupu River Scenic Byway, passing through Zuishanye to reach Guniujiang (about 2.5 hours).

Stay: Guniujiang Scenic Area Surroundings

Day 5 · Guniujiang to Hongcun

Shitai（Guniujiang Scenic Area、Yanjia Ancient Village）

Hike the Longmen Scenic Area of Guniujiang in the morning, then drive via Qimen to Hongcun in the afternoon (about 2 hours).

Stay: Hongcun

Day 6 · One Day in Yixian Ancient Villages

Huangshan & Huizhou（Hongcun Village、Tachuan Village、Nanping Village、Xidi Village）

Depart from Hongcun to visit Tachuan, Nanping, and Xidi, all within a 30-minute drive. Return to Hongcun in the evening.

Stay: Hongcun

Day 7 · Yungu Trail Ascent & Stay on the Summit

Huangshan & Huizhou（Shixin Peak、Lion Peak & Qingliang Terrace、Xihai Grand Canyon (West Sea Canyon)）

Drive about 1 hour from Hongcun to Tangkou. Leave your car at the foot of the mountain, take the scenic area shuttle to Yungu Temple, and take the cable car up before walking to your hotel.

Book entrance and cable car tickets in advance. Temperatures on the mountain vary greatly between day and night.

Stay: Huangshan Summit (Guangming Peak · Baiyun)

Day 8 · Sunrise, Descent & Drive to Tunxi

Huangshan & Huizhou（Flying-over Rock、Huangshan Scenic Area、Tunxi Old Street）

Walk to Yuping Tower, take the Yuping Cable Car down the mountain, retrieve your car, and drive about 1 hour to Tunxi.

Stay: Tunxi Old Street Area

Day 9 · Chengkan, Tangyue & Huizhou Ancient City

Huangshan & Huizhou（Chengkan Village、Tangyue Memorial Archways、Huizhou Ancient City、Yuliang Dam & Ancient Street）

Drive about 30 minutes from Tunxi to Chengkan, then continue to Tangyue and Shexian Ancient City (about 30 minutes for each leg). Return to Tunxi in the evening.

Stay: Tunxi Old Street Area

Day 10 · Xin'an River Gallery to Longchuan

Huangshan & Huizhou（Xin'an River Landscape Gallery） → Jixi（Longchuan Village & Hu Clan Ancestral Hall、Yishi Shangshu Memorial Archway）

Drive about 1 hour from Tunxi to Shendu for a boat cruise on the Xin'an River. In the afternoon, drive to Longchuan in Jixi (about 1.5 hours).

Stay: Longchuan and Renli

Day 11 · Zhaji to Taohuatan

Jingxian（Zhaji Ancient Village、Taohua Pool & Tage Pavilion、Wancun Village (West Bank of Taohua Pool)）

Take the highway from Jixi to Zhaji (about 1.5 hours), then drive about 30 minutes to Taohuatan.

Stay: Taohuatan Town

Day 12 · Wuhu Ancient City & Return to Hefei

Wuhu（Wuhu Old Town） → Hefei

Drive about 2 hours from Taohuatan to Wuhu. After lunch, cross the river and drive back to Hefei (about 2 hours, covering 260 km in total).