How to Get to Huangshan

As one of China‘s most-visited tourist destinations, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is exceptionally well-connected. Whether you’re flying in from abroad, taking the high-speed rail from a major Chinese city, or hopping on a bus from a nearby province, getting to this UNESCO World Heritage site has never been easier.

 Important distinction: Huangshan refers to both the city (whose urban center is Tunxi) and the mountain itself—located nearly an hour apart. If you‘re arriving by train or plane, you’ll need to take a shuttle or bus to Tangkou Town, the small town at the mountain‘s base that serves as the starting point for all ascents. Keep this in mind when planning your itinerary.

        *Travelling by Plane – Huangshan Tunxi International Airport (TXN)

Huangshan Tunxi International Airport (黄山屯溪国际机场) is the nearest airport, located in Tunxi District, about an hour‘s drive from the mountain’s base.

2026 Update – Major Route Expansion:

In the 2026 summer-autumn season, the airport has significantly expanded its network, operating 14 passenger routes connecting to 18 cities, with 78 weekly flights—an 18% increase over 2025. International and regional routes have grown to 9, covering Hong Kong, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and more.

Domestic Destinations (2026):

 
 
Route Frequency
Beijing Daily (departure time optimized to 16:00 for business travelers)
Guangzhou – Huangshan – Shenyang 4x weekly (new 2026 route)
Chongqing – Huangshan – Dalian 3x weekly (Tue/Thu/Sat)
Chengdu, Xi‘an, Xiamen, Shenzhen Regular service
Dalian, Shenyang, Harbin New destinations — now covers all three major Northeast cities

International Routes (2026):

 
 
Route Status Details
Bangkok, Thailand Opened March 27, 2026 Thai Lion Air, B738, once every 6 days
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Resumed March 7, 2026 Increased to 2x weekly (Sat/Sun)
Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Jeju (South Korea) Added April 2026 Jeju route begins April 10
Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) Added late April 2026 Ho Chi Minh route: 3 flights every 2 weeks
Hong Kong Regular service

Airport to the Mountain:

Taxis from the airport to Tunxi Ancient Street (Laojie) should cost ¥30–40, but drivers are known for refusing to use the meter and quoting higher prices. Negotiate firmly before getting in, or use a ride-hailing app like Didi for a fixed price. From Tunxi, you‘ll need to take a bus or taxi to Tangkou Town (the mountain base) — allow about 1 hour.

    *Travelling by Train – High-Speed Rail is the Best Option

Huangshan has two main railway stations. Do not confuse them.

Huangshan North Railway Station (黄山北站) – HIGH-SPEED RAIL

Opened in 2015, this is the primary station for high-speed trains and the one you should use. It connects to major cities across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Xi‘an, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Kunming, Nanjing, Changsha, and Hefei.

Key 2026 figures:

     • 79 high-speed trains daily from Huangshan North to Shanghai Hongqiao / Shanghai South

     • 36 high-speed trains daily from Hefei South to Huangshan North

     • During the 2026 Spring Festival travel rush, the station added 55 extra high-speed trains and operated 24-hour service on select nights

From Huangshan North to the Mountain:

Upon arrival, head to the adjacent Huangshan Tourism Passenger Transport Center (黄山旅游客运中心). Shuttle buses run to the mountain gates:

 
 
Destination Price Travel Time Notes
South Gate (Tangkou) ~¥25–30 ~40–50 min Most popular entry
East Gate (New!) ¥35 ~80 min Opened June 11, 2026
North Gate ~¥50 ~1.5h Taiping Cableway access

East Gate Shuttle Schedule (2026): Daily departures at 7:10, 9:10, 10:40, 11:10, 12:10, 13:10, 14:10, 15:10, 16:00, and 17:30. Tickets available via the “Huangshan Tourism Official Platform” WeChat/Alipay mini-program or at the station ticket窗口.

Huangshan Railway Station (黄山站) – CONVENTIONAL TRAINS

Located in Tunxi town, this station serves slower sleeper trains from major cities in eastern China. There is an overnight train from Shanghai (via Suzhou and Nanjing) that takes about 11 hours. While longer than a direct bus, it saves a night at a hotel and arrives around 07:00, giving you a full day on the mountain. The return trip has similar timing.

From this station, take a minibus or taxi to the mountain base — about 1 hour.

*Travelling by Bus – Affordable and Convenient

Huangshan is well-connected by long-distance buses from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Hefei, and other cities.

Key routes:

 
 
Route Details
Shanghai → Tangkou (direct) ¥140, 4x daily from Shanghai South: 06:28, 07:20, 10:00, 15:30
Hangzhou → Tangkou (direct) Less frequent but available; call the bus station for schedules
Hefei → Tangkou ~3 hours via the Hefei–Tongling–Jiuhua–Huangshan expressway
Huangshan City Bus Terminal Buses to the mountain every 5 minutes

The Huangshan City Bus Terminal (黄山市汽车客运总站) is the province‘s largest first-class bus station, dispatching 110 long-distance buses daily.

Pro tip: Buses from Tangkou back to Shanghai leave in the mid-afternoon. The first bus may “break down” in Tunxi until the second bus catches up, so be prepared for potential delays.

   Travelling by Car – Not Recommended

While driving to Huangshan is possible using navigation apps like Gaode Maps, we do not recommend this option for most travelers:

     • Parking is expensive and stressful

     • Private cars are NOT permitted to enter the scenic area — you must park at the gate and take the official shuttle bus

     • New option for 2026: If driving to the East Gate, navigate to Tanqiao Core Area Parking Lot, then take the You1 or You2 shuttle (5 minutes) to the East Gate Visitor Center

East Gate Parking Tip (2026): The Tanqiao parking lot has ample spaces. From there, shuttles run frequently to the new East Gate entrance.

   Quick Reference: Getting from Arrival Points to the Mountain

 
 
Arrival Point To Tangkou (South Gate) To East Gate (New!) To North Gate
Huangshan North Station Shuttle ~¥25–30, 40–50 min Shuttle ¥35, 80 min Shuttle ~¥50, ~1.5h
Tunxi Airport Taxi/bus ~1h Taxi/bus ~1h+ Taxi/bus ~1.5h
Huangshan Railway Station (Tunxi) Minibus ~1h Minibus ~1h+ Minibus ~1.5h

      Practical Tips for 2026 Travelers

  1. Book tickets in advance — During Chinese holidays (National Day, Spring Festival, Labor Day), trains and flights sell out quickly. Book at least 2–4 weeks ahead.

  2. Use the official platforms — For train tickets, use 12306.cn or the Railway 12306 app. For shuttles and scenic area tickets, use the “Huangshan Tourism Official Platform” WeChat/Alipay mini-program.

  3. Passport required — International travelers must use their passport number for all bookings; it must match your ID for boarding.

  4. East Gate is the 2026 new highlight — Opening on June 11, 2026, the East Gate offers a brand-new entry experience with the East Sea Cableway (6,638 meters long, ~25–30 minutes one-way). Promotional combo tickets (entrance + cableway up) are available at 252 RMB (20% off) from June 11 – July 10, 2026. Note: the East Gate has no hiking trail — you must take the cableway.

  5. Leave large luggage behind — If heading straight to the mountain, store bulky bags at the Tangkou Transfer Center (¥10–20/day) or your Tunxi hotel. You‘ll thank yourself on the stone steps.

  6. Beware of taxi touts — At the airport and train stations, ignore unlicensed drivers offering “fixed price” rides. Use official shuttle buses or ride-hailing apps like Didi.

With multiple transport options and the brand-new East Gate opening in 2026, getting to Huangshan has never been more accessible. Whether you choose to fly, take the high-speed train, or ride the bus, the journey is part of the adventure — and the reward at the end is one of China‘s most spectacular landscapes.