Huangshan | 6-Day Ancient & Alive Cultural Retreat
Dates: Apr 7 - 12, May 12 - 17 2026 / Guests per trip: 8 - 12
Find Your Stillness in the Ancient & Alive: Peaks, Rituals, and Renewal
/Beyond the famed “sea of clouds,” Anhui reveals itself as a cultural heartland: UNESCO-listed villages that preserve Ming & Qing-dynasty life, artisans who still craft ink by hand, and masters who teach qigong as it has been practiced for centuries.
/Observe how tradition meets creativity as ancestral halls become indie bookstores, retro supply co-ops transform into design-forward shops, and rustic granaries host artful teas.
/Balanced with mountain stillness, wellness rituals, and seasonal farmhouse feasts, this journey unfolds China’s heritage slowly and intimately.
/Two nights above the clouds crown the experience, offering sunsets, stars, and stillness at the summit of China’s most majestic mountain.
What Makes This Experience Unique?
- Mountain Mastery - Two unhurried nights on Huangshan's summit offer rare moments of solitude: watch the sun paint the clouds gold at dusk, stargaze under clear mountain skies, and greet the dawn as it breaks through the sea of clouds. With VIP access bypassing the crowds, experience these sacred mountain moments at their most serene.
- Ancient China, Alive & Renewed – Walk through UNESCO-listed villages where life still flows in centuries-old rhythms — whitewashed walls, stone bridges, family recipes
- Heritage Craft & Mastery – Create hand-made ink guided by a heritage artisan, bake traditional pastries with village cooks, and join qigong sessions led by a recognized master — practices carried forward through lineage, not tourism shows.
- Rituals of Restoration – From silent tea ceremonies to mindful breath practices, ancient wisdom guides every moment of nourishment. Each meal becomes a healing ritual, where seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes align with Chinese medicine principles to restore body and spirit. These time-honored practices transform simple acts of dining and rest into profound experiences of wellness.
- Unique Luxury Stays – From a heritage lodge that reflects village traditions to a summit villa with design-forward comfort and attentive service, each stay is an experience in itself — as restorative as the journey around it.
How Your Days unfold?
Wellness in Motion / Begin your morning in ancient village with qigong, breath syncing with mountain air and village quiet. Sessions are led by National Qigong Master, designed to calm the nervous system, sharpen focus, and gently reset jet lag—so the rest of the day feels lighter and more spacious.
Step inside living Hui culture/ Not just to see, but to touch, taste, and create. Wander Hongcun, a UNESCO village of lotus ponds and ink-brush eaves, then share a heritage dinner in a century-old courtyard. In nearby Bishan, discover China’s rural renaissance: browse the Bishan Bookstore, craft Hui ink finished with gold detailing, cycle through quiet rice-field lanes, and pause for tea in a granary-turned-café where heritage, creativity, and slow living meet.
Mountain Light & Cloudscapes / Rise into Huangshan the seamless way: private vehicle to the ropeway gate and VIP skip-the-line access. Over two summit nights, you’ll linger for sunset, stargaze, and, if you wish, catch sunrise above a sea of clouds. Hike curated sections of pine-lined paths and sculpted granite ridgelines, then glide the “little train” funicular through the West Sea Grand Canyon—tailored to your preferred effort level.
Slow Table, Hui Flavors / Meals are rooted in place and season. TCM-guided cuisine balances yin and yang—nourishing broths, gentle herbal infusions, farmhouse feasts, and seasonal village produce—alongside warming Hui classics. On the summit, a curated tea ceremony steadies the breath; off the mountain, comfort-forward dishes honor the terroir of Anhui’s hills and bamboo, leaving the body warm and the mind unhurried.
Quiet-Luxury Stays / Off the mountain, the Banyan Tree in Yi County blends in local Hui culture in the setting, offering calm rooms and thoughtful breakfasts near ancient villages. On the summit, premium boutique hotel Upcloud Shuguangli blends design-forward spaces with butler-style service—placing you steps from sunset perches and morning light.
White-Glove Service / From arrival to farewell, details are handled: private transfers, VIP ropeway access, luggage strategy for summit nights, timely reservations, and flexible day-to-day adjustments. Your guide smooths language, payments, and on-the-ground pivots—so you can simply arrive, breathe, and enjoy.
Daily Program
Day 1: Arrival & Welcome in Yi County / Be met at Huangshan Railway Station/Airport, and drift through terraced fields into the quiet countryside. Settle into your boutique lodge and ease into Hui warmth over a seasonal welcome table—simple, generous, and unhurried.
Day 2: Qigong & UNESCO Old Town/ In soft morning light, move through grounding qigong with local masters—silk-smooth breath, cloth shoes provided. Then wander mirror-lake Hongcun, its white walls and ink-brush eaves reflected in still water; add a playful Fish Lantern craft, or roll and steam symbolic Hui pastries in a farmhouse kitchen if you wish before a heritage dinner in a century-old courtyard.
Day 3: Qigong & China's rural renaissance: Heritage Reimagined / After a dawn qigong session, step into Bishan’s charm: browse the Bishan Bookstore (hailed as China’s most beautiful), and visit the retro Supply Co., reimagined with D&Department, the famed Japanese design collective known for its long-life design ethos. Create your own Hui ink with gold detailing, then cycle hushed rice-field lanes before pausing for a refined tea at the Pig’s Inn, a granary-turned-cultural hideaway.
Day 4: Above the Clouds — Summit Night I / Glide past queues with VIP access to the Yungu Ropeway, ascending into a world of wind-sculpted granite and ink-pine silhouettes. Stroll the North Sea viewpoints, then check into Upcloud Shuguangli for a curated tea ceremony and a painterly sunset at the summit’s edge.
Day 5: Summit Trails & Sacred Stillness / Two paths diverge:
For the adventurous, descend into the West Sea Grand Canyon, tracing its winding stone paths before ascending by the little train from the canyon floor (3–4 hrs total; lunch after hike). For those seeking stillness, linger at scenic lookouts and wander at leisure before savoring the mountain buffet at your own pace. By afternoon, both groups reunite for a curated incense meditation—a slow return to breath and presence above the clouds.
Day 6: Descent & Farewell — Xixinan Interlude / Linger in the high air, then drift down by Yungu Ropeway. We transfer to Xixinan - another historic village, sit down to an exquisite modern Chinese lunch—seasonal, balanced, and light on the body—where Hui flavors are reimagined with contemporary finesse. After lunch, wander at leisure along the village’s clear stream; browse craftsmanship ateliers and courtyard cafés, and feel the quiet dialogue between ancestral Hui architecture and modern design. Your private transfer then returns you to Huangshan North for onward travel.
What's In The Package
Included
- 5 nights of accommodation: 3 nights at Banyan Tree Yi County (Mountain-View Suite) & 2 nights at Upcloud Shuguangli (Mountain-View Villa)
- Daily curated activities (from morning qigong, traditional ink & fish lantern making, to Sunset tea ceremonies)
- Daily seasonal & organic meals (for vegetarian options please check with Puyu team)
- All scheduled internal transfers (to/from Huangshan airport/train station)
- VIP luggage coordination for summit stays
- High-speed Wi-Fi + portable chargers
- Welcome gift featuring traditional qigong wear, and artisan tea set (Huangshan Maofeng)
Not Included
- Flights or train to Huangshan City
- Personal expenses like spa/shopping/merchandise
- Travel insurance (required)
- Visa fee (if needed, check the specific regulations pertaining your country of origin)
- Additional activities not included in the itinerary
Food
Culinary Journey: Where Heritage Nourishes
Your Huangshan retreat is a feast for the senses, blending Anhui’s seasonal rhythms with ancient wisdom.
At Banyan Tree and Upcloud Shuguangli, savor delicate Chinese cuisine elevated by local treasures—wild bamboo shoots, foraged mountain herbs, and persimmons ripened under Huangshan’s crisp air. Every meal includes a 药膳 (yàoshàn)dish— infused with Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, thoughtfully curated to balance energy and soothe travel fatigue.
Beyond the lodges, dine under timber-beamed ceilings in ancestral villages for rustic Hui farm feasts: claypot stews simmered for hours, hand-rolled buckwheat noodles, and garden-fresh greens plucked at dawn.
On active summit days, refuel with our mountain buffet—modern, energizing plates like braised local pork and wok-tossed Hui noodles, designed for quick yet deeply satisfying nourishment.
From sunrise qigong to starlit terraces, each dish honors Anhui’s land, ensuring your journey feeds both body and soul.
/ If you have any special preferences, allergies or dietary intolerances, please make sure to inform us in advance so we can tailor your meals with the utmost care.
Transportation
The journey begins in Huangshan, a city located in the south of Anhui Province.
The nearest airport is Huangshan Tunxi Airport (TXN); the nearest train station is Huangshan North (黄山北站). We generally recommend that you take the high-speed train from Hangzhou East (1.5 hours) or Shanghai HongQiao (2 ~ 3 hours); or direct flight from Beijing or Guangzhou ( ~ 2 hours).
Our Private transfer ( 1 hour to our first stop, no add. charges) will be offered from / to the Huangshan airport / train station.
Accomodation
Your Huangshan retreat unfolds across two distinct sanctuaries, each mirroring the region’s poetic duality.
At Banyan Tree Yi County, nestled beside the ethereal Hongcun village, Hui architecture converges with modern elegance—whitewashed courtyards, ink-painted motifs, and serene gardens frame your Mountain View Suite, where terraced landscapes stretch toward mist-wrapped peaks.
Ascend to Upcloud Shuguangli, perched amid Huangshan’s granite splendor, where your Mountain View Villa places sunrise vistas and celestial night skies at your doorstep. Steps from iconic trails like Shixin Peak and Monkey Watching Sea, the hotel blends minimalist Zen aesthetics with nature’s raw grandeur—think star-lit courtyards, stone pathways, and tranquil nooks for meditation.
Choose a Double (Twin) for shared comfort, or upgrade to a Single (King) room for heightened privacy.
Features:
- Rooms with views
- Tranquil interiors with natural materials
- Ensuite bath, daily housekeeping
- With only one room of this kind available, the first guest booking a single room will enjoy a tranquil space with a private open-air soaking pool.
About Retreat
1.What’s included in a Puyu retreat package?
Every Puyu retreat is thoughtfully curated to immerse you in China’s serene landscapes and living traditions. Most retreats include boutique accommodations, daily wellness classes (such as yoga, meditation, or TCM workshops), nourishing local cuisine, and round-trip transfers from designated meeting points. Many also offer optional excursions, spa experiences, or personalized add-ons to enrich your journey.
✨ Please note: Inclusions may vary depending on the retreat. We encourage you to check the detailed itinerary for your chosen journey so you know exactly what’s included.
2.Is this a group retreat, or can I attend solo?
You are warmly welcomed whether traveling solo or with friends. Puyu retreat foster an intimate, supportive community, offering flexible, mindful programs for both solo adventurers and those seeking shared wellness journeys.
3.Who would enjoy a Puyu retreat?
Our retreats are ideal for curious souls looking for meaningful China visits, rest, and immersion in authentic Chinese culture, nature, and wellness. Guests often describe their experience as a holistic “reset”—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
4.Do you arrange international flights for guests?
No, international flights are not included. However, we provide detailed travel tips and support to ensure your arrival in China is smooth and stress-free.
5.Should I purchase travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance is required to join the retreat, as it offers peace of mind in case of unexpected changes, delays, or health-related issues.
6.Is there any help with trip planning?
Yes! As a Puyu retreat guest, you’ll receive our bespoke itinerary planning service completely free of charge — a benefit normally offered as a standalone program. We’ll help with visa guidance, route planning, and tailored recommendations so your journey through China feels effortless and deeply enriching.
About Payment
1.What’s your cancellation and refund policy?
We understand that plans can change. To ensure fairness for all participants and to keep our retreats running smoothly, please review our cancellation and payment policy carefully before booking.
Deposit Policy
- A $500 deposit is required to secure your spot at the retreat.
- 100% deposit refund for cancellations made 60+ days before the retreat start date.
- 50% deposit refund for cancellations made 30–59 days before the retreat start date.
- No deposit refund for cancellations made 0–29 days before the retreat start date.
Remaining Balance
- The remaining balance is due 30 days before the retreat start date.
- Cancellations made 0–29 days before the retreat start date are non-refundable for the remaining balance.
Retreat Minimum Attendance
- We will notify you 30 days prior to the retreat start date whether the minimum participant requirement has been met.
- If the retreat is canceled due to insufficient enrollment:
- You will receive a full refund of your deposit and any paid balance, or
- You may choose to transfer your payment to a future retreat.
By paying your deposit, you acknowledge and agree to Puyu Retreat’ Terms & Conditions, including this cancellation and payment policy.
2.Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept bank transfers and major credit or debit cards. Depending on your currency, local payment options (such as ACH in USD or SEPA in EUR) may also be available for your convenience.
3.Are there any extra costs, like tips or hidden fees?
Puyu pricing is transparent. All essential retreat elements are included. Gratuities are not expected in China but are always appreciated. Any optional upgrades or experiences will be clearly communicated before booking.
4.What languages will guides and facilitators speak?
Most retreats are conducted in English and Mandarin. If you need another language, please inform us in advance, and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
