I first climbed this mountain in 1984 when I first came to China. 30 years later, I returned with my wife and youngest son. A lot has changed in 30 years. For one, cable cars make it a much better experience. There are more hotel options. The sights, however, are still the same, just breath taking. It is one of the most revered mountain to climb in China. It is almost always crowded, long lines to get tickets, line up for the cable and get good scenic shots. If you have never been to Huangshan, going for a 1 day trip will not do justice. You'll spent most of that time hiking or waiting in line. I recommend staying at least one night, arriving at the mountain mid afternoon, check in to your hotel and make your way to the sunset peak and enjoy the splendour. Wake up early, very early to set up for the sunrise show. We stayed 2 nights in two different hotels so that we didn't have to back track. Best time to go: Non Chinese holidays during the week. It is crowded almost all the time. However, we went during the Chinese New Year (CNY). We arrived CNY eve, and left the 2nd day of the CNY. We had the mountain to ourselves. The only time we saw the crowd was when we were heading down to the exit on the cable car and saw the line of people wanting to climb up hundreds of meters long. We timed it perfectly.

There are some drawbacks: cost is relatively high when you add entrance fee, cable car fees, shuttle bus and hotel (particularly if it is peak time, the hotel we stayed tripled the price on the day we left). The other drawback is weather. You never know when it is misty on the mountain. We had perfect weather but a few months laters on a school trip, there was mist and never go the see the sunset or sunrise. However, we did get to see the Sea of Clouds.

Is it worth going? Most definite if you enjoy mountains. I hope to go again to see peaks I have yet to see.