Huangshi

Set between the Yangtze River and the mountains, Huangshi has a distinctive mix of industrial heritage and lake scenery. You can see a mining pit known as “Asia’s largest sinkhole” and watch the sunset beside Cihu Lake. Around half an hour from Wuhan by high-speed train, the city suits a weekend or short holiday.

• Huangshi National Mine Park: The park’s “Mining and Metallurgy Grand Canyon” is 444 meters deep and is known as “Asia’s largest sinkhole.” This enormous pit reveals the landscape left by mining and is a good stop for visitors interested in industrial sites.

• Huaxin 1907 Cultural Park: Built on the site of a century-old cement factory, this park preserves red-brick workshops, old chimneys and railway tracks. Visit and photograph the industrial buildings during the day, then browse the night market or catch a show at a small theater after dark.

• Cihu Lake: In the urban area, the lake has waterfront paths for walking and cycling. Stop along Lovers’ Road in the evening to watch the sunset and colorful clouds reflected on the water, and see how locals spend their leisure time.

• Weisu Bay: This leisure district evokes the water towns of Jiangnan, with small specialty shops lining stone-paved streets. Once the lights come on in the evening, stroll through the streets, browse the night market and try some snacks.

• Xiandao Lake: Also known as Thousand Island Lake, it is counted alongside Hangzhou’s Qiandao Lake as one of the world’s three great thousand-island lakes. More than a thousand small islands dot its broad waters, and sightseeing boats offer views of the lake and islands.

• City in the Sky: On the summit of Qianli Mountain beside Xiandao Lake, this attraction offers panoramic views of the lake below. It features a large glass viewing platform called “Mirror of the Sky,” a cliff swing and a pink beach.

• Tonglushan Ancient Copper Mine Site: Dating back around 3,000 years, this ancient copper mine offers insight into China’s bronze civilization. Ancient mining and smelting artifacts displayed in the museum help visitors understand how people worked at the time.

• Xisaishan Scenic Area: This mountain is widely known through the poetic line “White egrets fly before Mount Xisai.” Climb to the summit for views of the Yangtze River, explore historic remains such as the ancient cliffside walkway from the Three Kingdoms period, and enjoy scenes of riverboats, cliffs and white egrets.

Suggested Itineraries

• One day (a relaxed city route): Visit the mining pit at Huangshi National Mine Park in the morning, then return to the city center for Huangshi potato slices at lunchtime. Spend the afternoon exploring and photographing the industrial buildings at Huaxin 1907 Cultural Park, take a sunset walk beside Cihu Lake, and head to Weisu Bay for the night market and snacks.
• Two days (lake, mountain and industrial scenery):
  • Day 1: Visit the mine park in the morning and Huaxin 1907 in the afternoon. Stay near Cihu Lake and enjoy the waterfront scenery after dark.
  • Day 2: Leave early for Yangxin County. Choose a visit to Xiandao Lake or head up to City in the Sky for views over the island-dotted lake, then return in the afternoon.
• Three days, two nights (a fairly packed highlights route):
  • Day 1: Focus on the city attractions: the mine park, Huaxin 1907, Cihu Lake and Weisu Bay.
  • Day 2: Travel to Yangxin to visit Xiandao Lake and City in the Sky. Return to the city in the evening to try fish mouths braised with thirteen-spice seasoning.
  • Day 3: Learn about bronze civilization at Tonglushan Ancient Copper Mine Site, or choose a hike and a visit to pray for blessings at Dongfangshan Scenic Area, before heading home.

Local Food to Try

Huangshi’s food combines freshwater flavors from the Yangtze with the cooking traditions of southeastern Hubei. Explore everything from street snacks to local dishes.

• Huangshi potato slices: A common street snack, these moderately thick potato slices are fried until crisp outside and soft inside, then tossed in a special sweet and spicy sauce.

• Fish mouths braised with thirteen-spice seasoning: One of the area’s signature dishes, this uses silver carp heads that are fried and then braised, allowing the thirteen-spice sauce to coat and soak into the fish. The finished dish is tender, with a pronounced numbing, spicy flavor, and is relatively affordable.

• Daye noodles in thick soup: This traditional noodle dish features a thick broth and a variety of toppings. Best eaten hot, it is common at both breakfast and late-night meals.

• Yangxin tun bird soup: Made by slowly simmering a local type of poultry known as the “tun bird,” this soup has a milky-white broth and tender meat with a mild flavor. It is a local dish valued for its nourishing qualities.

• Tieshan black rice noodles: A local breakfast dish of thick rice noodles in a dark, thickened soup with a strong pepper flavor. Add beef or savory minced-meat sauce, or pair it with fried dough sticks to soak in the soup.

• Huangshigang sesame pastries: These crisp, crumbly sesame pastries have a history stretching back a century and are recognized as intangible cultural heritage. Their rich sesame flavor makes them a good local specialty to take home.

Transport and Accommodation

• Transport: The high-speed train from Wuhan to Huangshi North Station takes around 30 minutes, followed by a taxi ride of about 15 minutes to the main city attractions. Driving from Wuhan to central Huangshi takes around 1.5–2 hours. Drives between city attractions are short, roads are generally good and parking is fairly convenient.
• Accommodation: Consider staying around Cihu Lake or Tuanchengshan for morning and evening lakeside walks, night views and a good choice of places to eat. If visiting Xiandao Lake in Yangxin, you can spend a night in Yangxin’s county town or Wangying Town.

Practical Tips

• Xiandao Lake and City in the Sky: These attractions operate separately, so check your destination before buying tickets. Choose City in the Sky for panoramic views from above, or Xiandao Lake’s eastern route for a boat trip on the lake.
• Return transport: When visiting Yangxin, arrange your transport back to Huangshi in advance. The last scheduled bus is around 17:00; if you miss it, you will need to share a car back to the city.
• Clothing and protection: The mine park and City in the Sky involve plenty of walking and steps, so wear comfortable trainers. In summer and early autumn, bring sun and mosquito protection when visiting the lakeside or caves such as Fenglin Underground Grand Canyon.
• Admission: The mine park, Huaxin 1907, Cihu Lake, Weisu Bay and Tuanchengshan Park are free to enter. Some attractions, including Xiandao Lake and City in the Sky, require tickets, so factor these into your budget.