Most people who visit the Huangshan Mountains do a day trip from the city of Huangshan by taking the cable car up one side, walking around at the top, and then taking a different cable car back down so they only have to walk one way. There are 60,000 steps after all! You don’t have to do all the steps, but there are still more steps than you’ve probably ever seen before.
I stayed at a hotel on the top of the mountain for a couple of days so I would have opportunities for sunrise and sunset shots, and I was rewarded!
In the morning, I made my way to my sunrise spot in the dark with my headlamp illuminating the way. Not only was it dark, but it was quiet. A stark contrast from the day before when thousands of Chinese tourists made a thunderous roar intermingled with the tour guides screeching on their microphones. But at 5am, there were only a dozen or so people nearby.
We all looked down on the sea of clouds as they floated in and out. There was a hush as the clouds obscured the mountains and a soft “aaaahhhh” as the the mountains were revealed.
And when the sun rose above the clouds, there was a louder “oooohhhh” followed by a bit of laughter as we looked at each other realizing that no lanuage was required to communicate our collective awe.
The fog became thick after the sun rose and I was delighted to see before my eyes the composition I was hoping for. I adore the layers of mountains and trees with the fog in between. This, to me, captures the mysterious nature of Huangshan that I had always appreciated in Chinese paintings. It’s one of my favourite photos from the trip.
Once I got that shot, I felt a peaceful calm envelop me. I got it!
There’s something unique in the experience of seeing a blanket of cloud, but knowing a remarkable composition is waiting to be revealed. It reminded me of the old film days when I would make prints, putting the paper in the tray, and wait for the image to magically appear. So I waited for the clouds to part revealing the shapes of mountains and trees behind them.
For most of that day, after sunrise, the clouds completely hid everything from view. I was so glad I went up the day before! At sunset, while the fog was still thick, I managed to get one final shot.
On my last morning on the Huangshan Mountains, there was not a cloud to be seen and the mountains were not the same. Still beautiful yes, but the mystery was gone.
Wow, you did very well for yourself, Anne! That “classic” shot is quite classic indeed.
Thanks Jackson! Yes, I was pretty happy that I came away with so many photos from Huangshan that I like in just a couple of days, thanks to the stormy weather.
Copiaste la magia…
I try my best to capture the magic! I was glad to be there when the magic happened 🙂 Thanks for your visit and comments Irene.
thanks Ann for my couch trip to the Yellow Mountains . Good pics, ok, very good :).
Many thanks Kaz!
Stunning images of atmospheric conditions with great subject matter for the focal points. Your name came up at our camera club last night when the main presenter gave a presentation on photography internet sites to check out.. I teach photography and have also offered your site as one to check out.
Have you ever been to McGee Marsh near Oregon Ohio during the mass migration of the Warblers? The bird festival starts May 5th. Tons of Warblers in there. I’ll be there that weekend. It gets crowded mid morning so the best time to shoot in there is early morning. Anyway I enjoy your work.
Hi Kris, thank you very much for sharing my work with your camera club, I appreciate that! I have never been to Ohio, but a migration of warblers sounds amazing. Small birds are so hard to capture, but I imagine there would be lots of opportunities when there are plenty of birds. I’ll have to remember that for some time in the future. I wont make it this year though. Thanks for your comments!
Wonderful images but the ones with the mist in between the mountains are my favourites (especially the last one – so simple in composition and yet, so beautiful).
Hi Vicki, thank you so much 🙂 The mist was truly magical the way it moved through the mountains. It’s a really special place.
Gorgeous!
Thank you very much Laurie!
Beautiful images. Love from Bhutan.
Hi Sangay, thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the images. Bhutan is on my bucket list of places to photograph! Maybe I’ll visit your part of the world one day.
Please do visit. Even as a stranger commenter on your web, I will be so happy to welcome you to my country. Dont forget to let me know when you can make your time.
Beautiful shots of a beautiful location. I am envious of your travels.
Thank you James! I hope you get the opportunity to travel too, I highly recommend it 🙂 Sometimes it takes sacrifices, but no one ever seems to regret it. Thanks for your comments.
Hi Anne. Wonderful article. I had the pleasure of visiting Hiangshan in Septmber last year. It was a magical place, and out descent into the Great Western Canyon was an opportunity to experience some of the most amazing scenery I think I’ve ever witnessed. Through we were there for two nights, we didn’t get to see the Sunrise Ocean, as it’s called, but it was beautiful nonetheless.
Hi Simon, I wonder if our paths crossed because it was September that I was there also. I’m just behind in my photo processing (as usual). That’s the hard thing about having a limited amount of time, you just don’t know if the weather is going to cooperate or not. All you can do is make the best of the light that you have. Only photographers can complain about good weather!! I need clouds!! Thanks for your visit and comments, I appreciate it.
Awesome captures and always appreciated.
Your comments are always appreciated Angelito, thanks!
Hi Dear Anne. I see wonderful photos. do U like 2 travel 2 Iran. My country had many Tourist attractions. if the new law allows you to give an journey,of course .
Best wishes.
Reza.
Instagram: reza.sobhani
Hi Reza, Honestly Iran hasn’t been on my bucket list of locations to visit because of political issues. But you never know, one day in the future if the political situation settles down I might visit. Never say never!
I hope. I will wait.
But believe this that ” Iranians are not Terrorism ” .But also they are very Hospitable.
The hope that one day all of the people Trust this.
Sincerely yours
Reza
Beautiful pictures!
May I ask what lens you used and what would you recommend taking up with you?
Thanks
Hi Angeline, Thank you! I used my Sony mirrorless cameras and 3 lenses: 10-18, 18-55 and 55-210. That pretty much covers the range you would want from wide-angle to telephoto. There’s a lot of hiking around up there, so you definitely don’t want a heavy bag. I hope that helps!
Thanks so much Anne for your reply. I’m planning to just take one set of lens because of the weight. Should I omit the telephoto lens in your opinion?
Planning to just bring 17-40mm on crop frame.
Cheers
Hi Angeline, hmm, I don’t really want to advise you not to take a telephoto because it’s such a unique place that is hard to get to and you don’t want to miss any opportunities. But having said that, if you are going to go with only one lens, the 17-40 would be the one. Most of the images I made there I used my 18-55 on a crop sensor camera. I hope that helps! Have a wonderful time.
Yes it does.
Thanks so much again Anne!! Appreciate your reply.
Very nice pictures,! Especially the colorful ones which take in the morning, I will go to Huangshan next month, your article give me very useful information. Thanks!
You are most welcome Eric, I hope you enjoy your time there. It is quite a magical place. But it does chance during the middle of the day when there are an absolute ton of tourists. I highly recommend getting out as early as possible. Have fun!