Private Huangshan hiking tour with Xihai Grand Canyon

The Xihai Grand Canyon sits below the main peaks, reached by hiking stone steps and tunnels carved into the mountainside.

A private full-day hiking tour of Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in Eastern China, starting with hotel or station pickup and a cableway ride to the high peaks, then trekking down to Xihai Grand Canyon: the valley known as the "Virgin mountain with lesser travelers." Your guide leads you past named rock formations like Lion Peak and Monkey Gaping at the Sea, through the canyon's circular stone steps and tunnels to Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion, with an optional hike to Bright Summit at 1,860 meters. A cableway descent and return transfer close the day. Entrance fees, both cableway rides, driver, vehicle and guide are included. Lunch is not.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Yellow Mountain3h · entry included
2. West Sea Grand Canyon3h · entry included

Hiking Mount Huangshan and Xihai Canyon

• Pick up from hotel or station
• Ride ropeway to White Goose Station
• Hike classic Huangshan Geopark route
• Continue to Xihai Grand Canyon
• Trek circular stone steps and tunnels
• View natural rock formations and pines
• Visit Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion
• Optional hike to Bright Summit
• Take cableway down the mountain
• Transfer back to hotel or station

The experience

Your guide and driver pick you up at your Huangshan hotel or railway station and drive you to the scenic center, where you board a cableway to White Goose Station. From there, the hiking begins along Huangshan's classic route through the Geopark. You pass distinctive rock peaks (Lion Peak, Flying Over Rock, Beginning to Believe Peak), and elegant pine trees scattered across the mountainside. The three wonders Huangshan is known for (Peaks, Pine, Sea of Clouds) unfold as you walk.

The route then descends into Xihai Grand Canyon, the valley section of the mountain. Here the terrain changes: you hike circular stone steps, mountain roads carved into the rock, tunnels, and bridges that switchback down the canyon walls. Named rock formations dot the landscape (Lady Playing Piano, Upside-down Boot, Dog Watching Sky) framed by giant pines and cliff forest. The light shifts constantly across the rocks and trees. You reach Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion, a viewpoint where the canyon opens up. If you choose the optional hike, you can climb to Bright Summit at 1,860 meters for views of the sea of clouds and surrounding mountains before descending by cableway.

The cableway ride down is a relaxing end to the day. Your driver then transfers you back to your hotel, railway station or airport as you request. The full day runs 8 to 9 hours. Your guide speaks English or Chinese, and the tour operates in all weather: dress appropriately for mountain conditions.

What’s included

• Private door-to-door pickup from your Huangshan hotel, railway station or airport.
• experienced driver with air-conditioned vehicle.
• entrance fee to Mount Huangshan.
• round-trip cableway rides.
• expert local guide in English or Chinese.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00

AgesAdult (3 to 65 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sunny Private Tours

Is this one for you?Pick English or Chinese-language guidance when booking, and choose this full-day hike if you want to see both the peaks and descend into Xihai Grand Canyon in one outing.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What is Xihai Grand Canyon and why is it part of this tour?

Xihai Grand Canyon, also called West Sea Canyon, is the valley section of Huangshan known as the "Virgin mountain with lesser travelers." It is the most beautiful part of the mountain and the tour descends into it after hiking the main peaks, letting you experience both the high ridge and the deep canyon in one day.

Do I need to be an experienced hiker to do this tour?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. You hike the classic route through the peaks and then descend into the canyon via stone steps, tunnels and mountain roads. The pace is guided, and a cableway carries you up at the start and down at the end, so the hiking is the middle section of the day.

What happens if I want to reach Bright Summit?

Reaching Bright Summit at 1,860 meters is optional. If you choose it, you hike up from the canyon to the peak to see the sea of clouds and mountain views before taking the cableway down. This adds time to your day but is not required.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included. You can purchase food on site during the day at actual cost.

How does the cableway work on this tour?

A round-trip cableway ride is included. You take it up to White Goose Station at the start to reach the high peaks, then hike down through the canyon. At the end of the day, you board the cableway again for a relaxing descent back to the base before your return transfer.