How to choose where to stay: on the mountain, Tangkou town, or the city?
Booking accommodation is always a tough question for independent travelers. Should you book in advance or wait until you arrive? Should you stay near the scenic area or in the city? This guide may help answer those questions for you.
How to choose hotels inside Huangshan Scenic Area? Which one to book?
Many travelers planning a self-guided trip to Huangshan find the first dilemma is where to stay on the mountain — which location is best and fits their itinerary. Our advice is to consider your own needs first: one factor is the hotel’s location relative to your planned routes; the other is the hotel’s quality or value for money. Except for Yunji (云亼, Yún Jǐ) and Qingliang Villa (清凉别墅, Qīngliáng Biéshù), hotels of the same grade in Huangshan Scenic Area have similar prices, so location should be your primary consideration.
Currently, the main hotels on the mountain include Guangmingding Mountain Villa (光明顶山庄, Guāngmíngdǐng Shānzhuāng) and six hotels managed by Huangshan Tourism Development Co., Ltd.: Beihai Hotel (北海宾馆, Běihǎi Bīnguǎn), Shilin Hotel (狮林大酒店, Shīlín Dà Jiǔdiàn), Xihai Hotel (西海饭店, Xīhǎi Fàndiàn), Paiyunxing Hotel (排云型旅酒店, Páiyún Xínglǚ Jiǔdiàn), Baiyun Hotel (白云宾馆, Báiyún Bīnguǎn), and Yupinglou Hotel (玉屏楼宾馆, Yùpínglóu Bīnguǎn) — plus Bai’e Mountain Villa (白鹅山庄, Báiyā Shānzhuāng).
Beihai Hotel (北海宾馆, Běihǎi Bīnguǎn)
A 4-star hotel, closest to the Cloud Valley Temple Cableway (云谷寺索道, Yúngǔsì Suǒdào) at the back mountain. From the cableway, hiking along the Shisun Corridor (石笋矼, Shísǔn Gǒng) to Shixin Peak (始信峰, Shǐxìn Fēng) takes less than 30 minutes. Opposite Beihai Sports Field is Yunji, a boutique mountain lodge managed by Beihai Hotel.
Xihai Hotel (西海饭店, Xīhǎi Fàndiàn)
Xihai Hotel has two buildings: the north building (Zone B) and the south building (Zone A). The north building is called Xihai Mountain Villa (4 stars) and is located at a lower elevation; the south building, marked Xihai Hotel, is 5-star and currently the best-equipped hotel on the mountain. Hiking from Cloud Valley Temple Cableway to here takes about 50 minutes.
Baiyun Hotel (白云宾馆, Báiyún Bīnguǎn)
Located in the heart of Huangshan Scenic Area at Tianhai Scenic Area (天海景区, Tiānhǎi Jǐngqū), Baiyun Hotel is one of the most popular choices for an overnight stay on a 2-day Huangshan trip, usually fully booked year-round. Multiple hiking trails lead here from the Cloud Valley Cableway; the shortcut via Bai’e Ridge (白鹅岭, Báiyā Lǐng) takes about an hour. Baiyun Hotel has Zone A (4 stars) and Zone B (3 stars), with similar accommodation conditions but different prices.
Guangmingding Mountain Villa (光明顶山庄, Guāngmíngdǐng Shānzhuāng)
Situated on Guangmingding Peak, the second-highest peak in Huangshan Scenic Area, Guangmingding is the natural dividing line between the front and back seas (前后海, Qiánhòu Hǎi) and a must-pass spot for hikers circumnavigating Huangshan. It’s also one of the best places to watch sunrise and sunset, making this hotel very popular and often fully booked during peak season.
Can You Camp with a Tent on Huangshan?
Hotel rooms on Huangshan’s summit are expensive—ordinary standard or queen rooms usually cost over 1000 RMB per night, and during peak season, rooms are hard to book. If you don’t get to see the sunrise or sunset, staying there can feel like a waste. For this reason, tent camping has become the most economical and practical option.
Since 2018, Huangshan Scenic Area has limited the number of tents allowed on the summit and introduced a reservation system for camping sites. There are fixed camping areas on the front and back mountain, with a total capacity capped at 900 tents. These camping spots include Beihai Sports Field, Xihai Hotel’s elevated platform, Paiyunlou Hotel’s platform, Baiyun Hotel’s sports field, and Yupinglou Hotel. Camping elsewhere on the mountain is not permitted.
Stay in Tangkou Town or Tunxi District? What’s Better for Your Huangshan Trip?
Most travelers’ first stop when coming to Huangshan is obviously the Huangshan Scenic Area itself. But major transport hubs — high-speed rail, regular train, bus stations, and the airport — are all located in the city area called Tunxi (屯溪, Túnxī). So after arriving in Tunxi by long-distance transport, should you head straight to Tangkou (汤口, Tāngkǒu) to stay overnight, or spend a night in the city first?
Staying in the City (Tunxi)
Compared to Tangkou, hotels in the city generally offer better accommodation conditions. Within Tunxi, you can stroll around historic streets like Tunxi Old Street (屯溪老街, Túnxī Lǎojiē) and Liyang Old Street (黎阳老街, Líyáng Lǎojiē). At night, you can try local delicacies such as Mao Tofu (毛豆腐, Máo Dòufu) and Stinky Mandarin Fish (臭鳜鱼, Chòu Guìyú). Nearby attractions also include the Huizhou Grand Canyon Scenic Area (徽州大峡谷, Huīzhōu Dà Xiágǔ), where you can enjoy the Yuanfang River Drift (源芳漂流, Yuánfāng Piāoliú) in summer.
If you plan to head up to Huangshan the next day, you can catch a direct shuttle bus to the Huangshan Scenic Area from the train station’s front square, or join local one- or two-day guided tours.
Staying in Tangkou (汤口, Tāngkǒu)
The advantage of staying in Tangkou is that you can get an earlier start to climb Huangshan the next day. Around Tangkou, popular summer attractions include Jiulong Waterfall (九龙瀑布, Jiǔlóng Pùbù) and Emerald Valley (翡翠谷, Fěicuì Gǔ) — both similar in style. After arriving in Tangkou, you can pick one to explore; it’s about a 20-minute taxi ride to either spot.
Alternatively, you can visit Hongcun Village (宏村, Hóngcūn) directly for a day trip and return to Tangkou for overnight stay.
Charming Guesthouses Around Huangshan Scenic Area: Experience Authentic Huizhou Life
Besides the famous Huangshan Scenic Area, ancient villages, and local delicacies like Stinky Mandarin Fish (臭鳜鱼, Chòu Guìyú) and Mao Tofu (毛豆腐, Máo Dòufu) , what you really shouldn’t miss is the slow, relaxed lifestyle of Huizhou people. Many local hosts have infused this leisurely spirit into their cozy courtyards. When you have some free time, why not pick a stylish and comfortable guesthouse in a traditional Huizhou village? Surrounded by white walls and blue tiles, you can enjoy peaceful views of green hills and farmland, soaking up the idyllic rural life.
Around Tunxi Old Street
Compared to Tangkou, hotels in the city generally offer better accommodation conditions. Within Tunxi, you can stroll around historic streets like Tunxi Old Street (屯溪老街, Túnxī Lǎojiē) and Liyang Old Street (黎阳老街, Líyáng Lǎojiē). At night, you can try local delicacies such as Mao Tofu (毛豆腐, Máo Dòufu) and Stinky Mandarin Fish (臭鳜鱼, Chòu Guìyú). Nearby attractions also include the Huizhou Grand Canyon Scenic Area (徽州大峡谷, Huīzhōu Dà Xiágǔ), where you can enjoy the Yuanfang River Drift (源芳漂流, Yuánfāng Piāoliú) in summer.
If you plan to head up to Huangshan the next day, you can catch a direct shuttle bus to the Huangshan Scenic Area from the train station’s front square, or join local one- or two-day guided tours.
Near Huangshan Scenic Area
Nuan Shan Ting Guesthouse — A Stylish Instagrammable Stay
Perched on a quiet hillside, this white-walled, black-tiled Huizhou-style building stands out with minimalist black-and-white decor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a sleek facade. It’s close to the Huangshan Scenic Area and just an 8-minute walk from the Huangshan Transfer Center. Step outside and you’ll catch sight of the iconic Tiandu Peak (天都峰, Tiāndū Fēng) nearby.
Address: No. 46 Zhaixi New Village, Tangkou Town, Huangshan District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province (opposite the mobile company)
Price range: 600 RMB – 1400 RMB per night
Songye Themed Boutique Guesthouse — Authentic Huizhou Style at Huangshan’s Foot
Converted from a traditional Huizhou villa, Songye features white walls and blue tiles outside, with warm natural wood interiors inside. The design is simple yet refined. The guesthouse is located at the foot of Huangshan, and the host offers free pickup and drop-off within Tangkou Town. No need to plan in advance— the owner is a living travel guide who will give you detailed tips for your trip.
Address: No. 006 Feicui Renjia, Tangkou Town, Huangshan District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province (near South Gate of Huangshan Scenic Area and Dongling Transfer Center)
Price range: 300 RMB – 700 RMB per night
Note: These guesthouses are close to the South Gate and Emerald Valley (翡翠谷, Fěicuì Gǔ), so you can explore both conveniently. Booking tickets and accommodation in advance is recommended.
Around Chengkan and Tangmo Scenic Areas
Tangmo French-style Guesthouse — Classic Huizhou Architecture
Located within the Tangmo Scenic Area in Huizhou District, Huangshan City, this guesthouse features traditional Huizhou architectural elements like tall horse-head walls, red couplets at the door, and ornate eaves. Tangmo isn’t as famous as Xidi or Hongcun but boasts rich cultural heritage and beautiful natural scenery. Its charm lies in its peaceful, uncommercialized atmosphere, making it perfect for those who want an authentic experience.
Shude Hall — Lotus Pond Scenery Inside a Huizhou Mansion
Situated in Chengkan Scenic Area, Shude Hall is nestled beside a lotus pond, surrounded by dozens of ancient houses. Most rooms face Yongxing Lake (永兴湖, Yǒngxīng Hú). When lotus flowers bloom between June and July, you can open your window to enjoy the famous scenery: “Endless lotus leaves meet the sky; lotus flowers shine uniquely in the sunlight.” The interior’s deep wood tones, ink paintings above the bed, small potted plants on the desk, and seasonal fruits and snacks on the tea table create a cozy, calming atmosphere to melt away travel fatigue.
Address: 50 meters northeast of Chengkan Police Station (inside Chengkan Scenic Area), Huizhou District, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
Price range: 900 RMB – 2500 RMB per night
Tip: You can book Chengkan Scenic Area tickets online for quicker and cheaper access.
Around Hongcun and Xidi Scenic Areas
Huangshan Banyan Tree Resort — A Tranquil Escape from the Crowd
Thoughtfully located not far from Hongcun and Xidi, this resort offers a quiet retreat away from the tourist crowds and noisy buses. Just a few steps from the entrance is Lucun (卢村, Lú Cūn), an ancient village famous for exquisite Huizhou wood carving, known as the “First Tower of Huizhou Wood Carving.” It’s usually quiet here, perfect for leisurely appreciation of this folk art.
Address: No. 1 Banyan Road, Hongcun Town, Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province (near Lucun Scenic Area)
Price range: 1900 RMB – 5500 RMB per night
If you stay here, you can easily visit Hongcun and pre-book tickets online to avoid queues and get better prices.
Zhulan Bar Countryside Inn — The Most Artistic Vintage Style
Zhulan Bar has three locations: two in Bishan Village, Yi County, and one in Xidi. This introduction is for Zhulan Bar No.3 (Old Oil Factory branch) in Pingshan. Originally an oil factory, later a people’s commune, the site’s history has layered over decades. Two old residences and a disused oil mill have been converted into a nostalgic, retro-style guesthouse.
Suitable for: Lovers of rural scenery, vintage decor, and nostalgic atmosphere
Features: Countryside location, nostalgic vibe, large common areas, many activities
Nearby: Bishan Bookstore, Hongcun, Xidi, Nanping, Tachuan
Address: Bishan Village, Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province (Old Oil Factory branch)
Price range: 900 RMB – 2600 RMB per night
Huangshan’s scenic area development is now very mature. Whether you stay in the city or Tangkou, accommodation and dining have improved a lot after decades of development and upgrades. The management here is generally more regulated than many other scenic spots, but room quality still varies widely. To make the best choice, check overall ratings and reviews on major booking platforms.