4 Days Cultural Experience, Follow the rhythm of Huizhounese life

After your arrival, you will see your private tour guide waiting for you at the arrival hall holding a sign with your name written on it. While, getting your mind and body prepared for the tour, your personal driver will transfer you safely to Huangshan Scenic Area, which is 1.5 hour drive away. Shuttle bus at mountain foot will transfer you to Yungu temple. Ascend the mountain with a 15min ride of cable car till you reach white goose station. Do have a look around the area, you will find ubiquitous pines and exotic granite formations. Before we dive into the rich culture of Huizhou, we shall admire the nature and wildlife on this land. Hike through staggering peaks, passing twisted pines, we will reach Beginning-to-Believe Peak. An altitude of 1683 meters, one of the popular spot to enjoy sunrise, this is always a bottleneck for visitors, especially for photographers. En route admiring the brushstrokes of nature, not to forget to spot Black Tiger Pine and ‘Flower Blooming on a Brush Tip’ stone. Further up, comes this money-like shaped rock set on a peak. This absurd rock is called Stone Monkey Watching the Sea. Probably it doesn't looks like a monkey to you, as it looks like different things from different perspectives. However, this is what makes the rock fascinating here. You will check in at Xihai Hotel after this. Take enough rest as you will need to wake up early to catch the sunrise.

• Hotels: Banyan Tree Huangshan, Huangshan International Hotel, Huangshan Beihai Hotel

Stone archway in Xidi Village

Lion Peak is selected from spring to autumn and Purple Cloud Peak is for summer and autumn only. Please take noted that if you are traveling in winter, you only can catch the sunrise at bright summit and Beginning-to-Believe Peak.

Get up early at around 5-6am this morning to catch the sunrise on either Lion Peak or Purple Cloud Peak. Sunlight spills over this charming landscape giving a magic spell to everything on this land. Rarely, luminous sea of cloud cover the whole region. If you are interested, you can take a time lapse video to record down this fascinating process. Return to hotel for breakfast before we hike to West Sea Grand Canyon. Gravity- defying rocks, twisted pines, and ghostly puffs of mist envelop the region. Peer through the mist and see if you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Huangshan macaques swinging from one branch to another. Descend down the canyon we will stop at the First Ring. The scenery at First Ring and Second Ring are similar, just viewing from different angles. Hike back to take Yungu cable car down. Driver will transfer you safely to Pig’s Inn Bishan, a boutique hotel at Yi County. To have a better experience of Huizhounese’ lives in the past is to live in the building where ancient Huizhou merchants once stay. The hotel is inside a Qing dynasty home masterfully restored by Shanghai artist Li Guoyu. Experience the extravagant villas, enjoy a moment of tranquillity before recharge yourself for the trip tomorrow.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Pig's Heaven Inn Bishan

Silhouette of a bizarre pine tree against golden sunset is one of the highlights in Huangshan Scenic Area

You will savour the local cuisine for breakfast in hotel before taking a short drive to Hongcun, a UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Stuffed with old stone bridges, white-washed residents and black slate roofs, this village was once home to many wealthy merchants and scholars. Though it was built in Song dynasty (around 1131 AD), many of the buildings you will see are from Ming and Qing dynasty. Stroll down the narrow alleys and lanes and experience a moment of tranquillity. Appreciate Hongcun’s ancient buildings as your guide bring you through the history and tell you story about Hongcun. We will head towards the next village a stone throw away—Nanping. This is a village has yet completely restored. Hills rolling into panorama on the far end. Fields of yellow Cole flowers bring a pop of colour to the white-washed Hui style buildings, there is no better way to know the life of the local than to experience it by yourself. Live as traditional Huizhou people by picking vegetables, getting water from well, driving a wheelbarrow, and preparing lunch using traditional kitchen utensils and stoves. Finally, dip your chopsticks into the dishes you have prepared, and get a taste of Huizhou culture. After lunch, have a short walk around the neighbourhood, taking in fresh countryside air and feel a world away from the life you're used to. Then, examine the architectures that are different yet similar to Hongcun. Get back to hotel and internalise this meaningful journey.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Hongcun Village

On the last day, we will go to Xiuning County to have a hands-on experience on tofu making at Wan’an St. Observe carefully how the masters make tofu in a traditional way first, then you will participate in tofu production under the guidance of these local masters. This may be a life-time experience. After this, we will be going for another cultural immersion. You will have the chance to learn about the culture, historical development of Xin’an medicine and to make your very own incense pendant at Huizhou Huangshan Cultural Museum. These pendants are mostly made from sandalwood incense or agalwood incense and use plant-extract binder to put them into shapes. Incense pendant has some similar function as perfume, which is to give off an aroma. The difference is that it promotes blood circulation, nourishing the heart and soothing our nerves. Very popular among Huizhou merchants and officials during Qing and Ming dynasty, it is suitable for woman and man of all ages. Bring these little souvenirs home, most importantly this unforgettable memory. Our journey ends here. You will be transfer to airport or station to catch the plane or train to your next destination. Surely this meaningful experience will be engraved in your memory.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Hongcun Village