Just back from Huangshan! All honest tips to read before you go

Hey loves! I've returned from Huangshan with "trembling legs" and a "completely full photo gallery"😭! After climbing Tiandu Peak, I collapsed in my hotel that night, but when I saw the sunrise above the sea of clouds, I wanted to shout: "Huangshan, you are my god!" No exaggerations today, just honest advice - grab your notebooks and take notes 📒 before heading out to avoid unnecessary detours! 🌬️【Must-read before going: Equipment and weather are crucial】 1. Footwear 👟: Promise me! Don't wear ANY shoes with heels!! Huangshan's steps are steep and narrow - non-slip athletic shoes are your "life savers"🚶‍♀️! Bring a windproof jacket, as the mountain top is windy enough to blow you away. Even in May, temperature differences between morning and evening are significant - cold-sensitive friends might want to pack a thin down jacket. 2. Backpack essentials 🎒: Travel light!! Only bring necessities: ID card, power bank, tissues, small amount of cash (some small shops only accept cash), chocolate (energy-boosting magic 🍫). No need to bring too much water as there are drinking water stations on the mountain, but a thermos is a must! 3. Weather tips 🌤️: Check the forecast three days ahead!! Huangshan weather changes quickly - rainy days often bring sea of clouds but make paths dangerously slippery; sunny days offer better visibility but intense sun exposure, so definitely bring a sun hat and sunglasses. (Personal experience: when I encountered showers, a raincoat was 100 times better than an umbrella 🌂!) 🏔️【Must-visit spots: Breathtakingly exhausting but tear-jerkingly beautiful】 1. Welcome Pine 🌲: Huangshan's ultimate "celebrity"!! This thousand-year-old tree rooted in a cliff seems to extend its branches saying "welcome"! Arrive before 8am to avoid crowds and get a "solo photo" - the sunlight filtering through pine needles creates an amazing atmosphere. 2. Bright Summit Peak 🌄: Though there's no "Ming Cult Headquarters," this is THE place for sunrise and sunset viewing!! Climbing in darkness at 5am is worth it when you see the sea of clouds rolling and the sun peeking over the mountains 😭. (Cold-sensitive friends: bring a small folding stool for sitting while waiting for sunrise) 3. West Sea Grand Canyon 🚡: Here comes the "devil-level" hiking route!! The cliff walkways on the first and second loops will make your legs weak, but the "ink painting" views overlooking the canyon are incredible. If you're low on energy, take the rail car (the famous little train) down the mountain - riding through the sea of clouds feels like a roller coaster 🎢! 4. Flying-over Rock 🪨: A "Dream of Red Mansions" filming location!! A huge boulder seemingly "floating" on the mountaintop - touching it supposedly brings good luck. Be careful when taking photos and don't get too close when it's windy! 🍜【Food hits and misses: Carbs are essential for mountain climbing】 ✔️ Huangshan Pancakes 🥠: Must try these freshly baked flaky pastries! The preserved vegetable and meat filling is savory and crispy, great value at 5 yuan each - keep some in your pocket as snacks while hiking. ✔️ Hairy Tofu 🍄: Fermented tofu fried to a golden crust and topped with spicy sauce is delicious! Don't be afraid of the "fuzz" - this is an intangible cultural heritage food! ✔️ Stir-fried Bamboo Shoots with Pork 🥢: A must-order at mountain restaurants! Fresh bamboo shoots are crisp and refreshing - perfect with two big bowls of rice! ❌ Wild Mushroom Soup: Overpriced and ordinary - better to have two bowls of tomato egg soup 🍅 instead! ❌ Instant noodles at scenic spots 🍜: I was speechless at the 15 yuan per cup price... better to bring your own instant porridge or energy bars. ⚠️【Pitfall guide: I've fallen into these traps so you don't have to】 1. Don't believe "we're almost there"❗️: Distances between Huangshan attractions far exceed expectations! Walking from Baie Ridge to Bright Summit Peak takes 2 hours. When asking for directions, ask "how many kilometers" or "approximately how long," don't trust vague answers like "not far" or "almost there" 😤! 2. Cable car timing is critical ⏰: Yuping and Yungu cable cars stop operating around 4:30pm!! Calculate your time carefully and don't get carried away - hiking down in darkness is truly dangerous. 3. Be cautious with souvenirs 🚫: "Huangshan specialties" at mountaintop shops are double-priced. If you want gifts, buy them at Tunxi Old Street after descending - more choices and room for bargaining! 🏨【Accommodation advice: Stay on the mountain or at the foot?】 🌟 Mountain accommodations (recommended for those with budget): Bright Summit and White Cloud Hotels have excellent locations, convenient for sunrise viewing and early morning photos when crowds are thin. But rooms are small and expensive (800+ in low season, 1500+ in peak season) - choose carefully if you have high accommodation standards. 🌟 Foot of the mountain (best value): Tangkou Town has many guesthouses ranging from 300-600 yuan. You can explore the town and enjoy late-night snacks! Suitable for budget-conscious travelers with high sleep quality requirements - morning shuttle buses to the scenic area are very convenient. ✨【Final thoughts】 Huangshan truly is "body in hell, eyes in heaven"!! The day after climbing, my thighs were so sore I walked like a penguin 🐧, but when I look at my photos of the sea of clouds, pine waves, and starry skies, I immediately want to shout "I'll come back!" If you love nature and challenges, Huangshan absolutely deserves a spot on your "lifetime must-visit list"!