Emerald Valley

Emerald Valley is a canyon of more than 100 colorful pools, scattered through the eastern part of Huangshan Mountain. In the sun, the water can show emerald green, blue-green, and orange-yellow, making the pools themselves the main event rather than a single viewpoint.

I like two things here: the variety of pools gives you a reason to keep looking as you move through the valley, and the place has a human story as well as a film connection. A 1988 romance involving young people from Shanghai earned the valley its other name, Lover’s Valley; it also served as a filming location for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

The main consideration is practical: this package covers admission only. It does not include round-trip transport, meals, or other activities, so you need to plan those separately. And with no visit length or route details provided, it is wise not to build a tight schedule around the walk.

What to know before you go

• More than 100 pools: The pools vary in size and shape, with colors that can change in sunlight.
• A canyon setting: Emerald Valley is described as the longest canyon in eastern Huangshan.
• A love-story nickname: Lover’s Valley recalls a romance involving young people from Shanghai in 1988.
• A film connection: The valley was a filming location for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
• Entry ticket only: The package includes one Emerald Valley Scenic Area entrance ticket, not transport, food, or paid activities inside.
• Bring your booking ID: Admission requires the original identification document used when making the reservation.

👉 See our pick of the Best Guided Tours In Huangshan

A canyon walk built around changing pools

Emerald Valley is known as the First Beautiful Water Under Heaven and one of the Five Wonders of Huangshan. Those labels set high expectations, but the appeal is easy to understand: the valley contains more than 100 pools, and the display is not one uniform stretch of water. The pools differ in shape and size, so the view changes as you make your way through the canyon.

Sunlight matters. The water may appear emerald green, blue-green, or orange-yellow, giving you a reason to pause and look closely rather than hurry from entrance to exit. The colors are described as most striking under sunlight, so conditions can affect what you see. I would treat the pool colors as a natural feature, not a guaranteed palette on every visit.

The canyon is in the eastern part of Huangshan Mountain and is described as the longest in that area. That gives the visit a broader setting than a quick stop at one pool. Still, the available details do not specify walking distance, trail surface, elevation, or how long a full visit takes. If you are planning around children, older family members, or a tight connection, allow room for an unhurried visit and check local conditions before setting out.

Emerald Valley is presented as suitable for couples, families, and light hikers. That makes it a possible choice if you want scenery without treating the day as a strenuous mountain trek. But the phrase light hiking should not be mistaken for a promise about the path: no specific accessibility or trail information is provided. If you need a step-free route or have mobility concerns, confirm those details directly before booking.

The story behind Lover’s Valley

The valley’s second name comes from a story about young people from Shanghai who found love amid hardship in 1988. That human detail gives the scenery a different flavor. You can come for the pools, but the story offers a small reminder that places become memorable through the lives attached to them, not only through their views.

The information available does not give names or further details about the couple, so there is no longer story to follow on site that can be promised here. Still, the nickname can add a little context for couples visiting together, or for families explaining why a scenic area has two names. It is a story to keep in mind, not a separate attraction or performance.

The film connection is another layer. Emerald Valley was a filming location for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which may make the setting especially appealing if you know the movie. It is worth keeping expectations grounded: this is a scenic-area ticket, not a film tour, and no movie props, guided commentary, or specific filming points are included in the package details.

What the ticket covers, and what it does not

The package includes one entrance ticket to Huangshan Emerald Valley Scenic Area. At a starting price of $12.39, that can be a reasonable way to add a water-and-canyon visit to a Huangshan trip, especially if the pools and the film connection are already on your list. The value depends on what you want: this is an admission purchase, not a guided outing or a transport bundle.

Round-trip transportation, dining, personal insurance, paid entertainment facilities, and other personal expenses are not included. The meeting point is near G205 National Highway, and the park entrance is in Shancha Village, Tangkou Town, Huangshan District, Anhui Province. You will need to arrange how to reach the area yourself.

Klook booking is described as convenient, which is useful when you want to secure an attraction ticket ahead of time. One five-star rating praised that ease of booking. It is a small but positive signal about the purchase process, not enough evidence to judge every part of the visit or the on-site service.

The ticket is valid only on the date selected, so choose a day you can keep. During peak season, the recommended booking window is five to ten days ahead; during quieter periods, one to three days is suggested. Confirmation is listed as taking up to 24 hours, though an order becomes effective after successful confirmation. Check that confirmation has arrived before making plans that depend on entry.

Timing, entry, and the ID you need

The scenic area is open daily from 08:00 to 17:30. Holiday hours may run longer until visitors have left. Ticket exchange hours are 08:00 to 17:00, so do not assume you can arrive at the end of the day and still complete the exchange. The exchange point is the ticket office at the Emerald Valley Scenic Area Tourist Center in Shancha Village.

Bring the original ID used for the reservation. Accepted documents listed for this purpose include an ID card, passport, or Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan travel permit. The same original document is required as the valid admission credential, so a photo or a different ID may not meet the stated rule.

Ticket categories are defined by age or height: the adult ticket is for adults under 65; the child ticket is for children 1.2 to 1.5 meters tall; and the senior ticket is for people aged 65 and above. Check the category carefully at purchase, especially if a child’s height is close to the stated range.

Cancellation terms are strict near the visit date. More than 24 hours before the visit, you can request a full refund if the ticket has not been exchanged or used. Within 24 hours, after exchange or admission, or after the ticket expires unused, refunds and rescheduling are not available. The ticket cannot be changed or split.

Is Emerald Valley a good fit for your Huangshan plans?

I would consider Emerald Valley if you want a scenic stop centered on water, enjoy gentle outdoor walks, or have a particular interest in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Its more than 100 pools give the visit a clear focus, while the Lover’s Valley story adds a human note without demanding much extra planning.

It may be less suitable if you need an all-in-one excursion. Transport and meals are your responsibility, and the ticket does not include a guide or paid activities. The limited trail information also makes it sensible to check conditions in advance if you are uncertain about walking needs.

For families and couples, the setting has broad appeal, but the visit is best planned as one part of a day rather than a precisely timed stop. If the pool colors and canyon scenery are what you came for, and you are comfortable arranging your own way there, the starting price of $12.39 makes the entry ticket a straightforward option. If you need transport, detailed interpretation, or confirmed accessibility, sort those needs out before booking.

FAQ

What does the Emerald Valley ticket include?

It includes one entrance ticket to Huangshan Emerald Valley Scenic Area. Transport, dining, insurance, paid entertainment facilities, and other personal expenses are not included.

Where is Emerald Valley?

The entrance is in Shancha Village, Tangkou Town, Huangshan District, Anhui Province, near G205 National Highway.

What are the opening hours?

The scenic area is open daily from 08:00 to 17:30. Holiday hours may be extended until visitors have left.

What ID do I need to enter?

Bring the original ID document used for the reservation. The accepted documents listed are an ID card, passport, or Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan travel permit.

What are the ticket age and height categories?

The adult ticket is for adults under 65. The child ticket is for children 1.2 to 1.5 meters tall, and the senior ticket is for people aged 65 and above.

Is transport included?

No. Round-trip transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the scenic area.

Can I cancel or reschedule my ticket?

More than 24 hours before the visit, you can request a full refund if the ticket has not been exchanged or used. Within 24 hours, after exchange or admission, or after expiry, refunds and rescheduling are not available.