Part of the mountain ranges tumbling across southern Anhui that includes Huang Shan, Jiuhua Shan's (Jiǔhuá Shān, 九华山) 99 jagged peaks, draped in pine and bamboo forests, rise over picturesque ridges, mountain streams, waterfalls, and nearly 100 Buddhist temples. As one of China's four holy Buddhist mountains alongside Emei Shan, Putuo Shan, and Wutai Shan, Jiuhua Shan is considered the domain of the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha (Dàyuàn Dìzàng Púsà, 大願地藏菩萨, or simply Dizang, in Mandarin), who is said to have put off going to Nirvana until no souls are left in hell. A 99 m (324.8 ft) high copper statue of Dizang is currently under construction at the foot of the mountain. While Huang Shan to the south generally gets more attention and praise, the beauty of what was once known as Jiuzi Shan, or "nine peak mountains," inspired ... more >>

The craggy rock faces, hanging mists and clustered pines of Huang Shan (the Yellow Mountains) create a lovely and distinctly Chinese landscape, one instantly recognizable from countless images on silk, paper and porcelain. The mountain range, consisting of some 70 peaks over 1,000 m (3,300 ft), spills across the southern province of Anhui in an exquisite jumble of scenic highlights—twisted lone pines clinging to stony spires, seas of clouds filling rugged valleys, and crystalline mountain spring-fed pools. Depending on your stamina and tolerance for crowds, there are several ways to tackle Huang Shan. Three cable car lines connect peaks also linked by well maintained trails. It can take a lot of walking to escape the throngs of tourists, but it can be done. Regardless, Huang Shan's natural scenery, punctuated by classical temples and pavilions, is virtually guaranteed to... more >>

Often overlooked by visitors on their way west, Hefei offers a pleasant—if not particularly spectacular—glimpse of "developing" China. Formerly a small market town and now Anhui's capital, Hefei entered a period of intensive industrialization in 1949, and today is best known as the home of several of China's top science and technology universities. Boasting a population of approximately 4.2 million, Hefei is limited in its tourist offerings, but the Anhui Provincial Museum is well worth the trip, as are a number of historical attractions. more >>