The Eastern Steps proceed from the eastern Huang Shan park gate (RMB 130 entry), crossing the road that runs west to the Hot Springs Area and on to Tangkou a few times before arriving a the Cloud Valley Temple Cable Car southern terminal. The trail continues north past White Goose Ridge, Beginning to Believe Peak and onto the mist-filled valley of Beihai (the North Sea).

There are a number of well marked points of interest along the way, including Jade Valley, which receives alpine runoff from Liandan Peak and Beginning to Believe Peak (so named. Legend has it, as being the point where a skeptical visitor first realized that Huang Shan is every bit as mind blowing as advertised). The valley features scores of small, colorful crystalline pools.

This route is less strenuous than the Western Steps, though many feel it is also less spectacular. The steps cover about 7.5 km (4.6 miles), making for a good three to four-hour hike. A popular full-day route through the mountains is to ascend the Eastern Steps, do the Peak Circuit, then descend via the lengthier Western Steps. The whole thing takes around 10 hours at a steady pace. An alternative is to stay in one of the hotels overlooking the Beihai, rising early to catch the sunrise over the mist-filled valleys before descending on the west side, to arrive at the Hot Springs Area (at which point, your legs could no doubt use a long hot soak).