Dagger-like rocks and pine trees on Mount Huangshan.

Hongcun Village

Built in 1131, Hongcun Village is the best of the rest. Named a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2000, the 30-acre village and lake retain their old-world charm and look like a Chinese scroll painting - or a water buffalo from above. People still live in the 140 ancient dwellings, replete with white walls, tiled roofs and circular gateways, and wash their clothes in the town pond. Also a great place to buy cheap local cookies and biscuits.

Lover's Valley

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon director Ang Lee shot two scenes here in 2002 - the sword fight in the bending bamboo trees between Chow Yun-fat and Zhang Ziyi, and the connecting scene where they skip over a pond still brandishing their weapons. The water here is so green it used to be called Jade Valley, but had its name changed two decades ago in memory of three couples who got lost in the area, never gave up hope and were eventually rescued. Worth visiting on a sunny day, time permitting. Bring your bathing suit.

Huangshan Mysterious Grottoes

These cube-shaped caves are of interest due to all the unanswered questions they provoke, such as when, why and how were they excavated? Some people think they were ancient granaries or royal tombs.

Tunxi Old Street

The houses and narrow lanes on this archaic 1.5-km strip can be more interesting than what they sell, although the range of Shexian ink stones, Chinese paper, hand-knitted shawls and sweet-smelling wooden bracelets (capable of warding off mosquitoes) are must-buys. Some of the shops date back over 120 years, and it has served as the backdrop for more than 100 movies. It now ranks as one of China's top 10 ancient heritage streets.

Old Street No 1 Building

The name reflects Chinese people's love of the number "1" and it was here we enjoyed the best Chinese meal I've ever eaten in a Chinese restaurant at the foot of Old Street. Its renovated gray stone and dark mahogany architecture, typical of southern Anhui, was beautiful in its minimalism while the goldfish pond and running water was calming after a day's hike. Every dish was fresh and delicious, including:

Yiping Guo (Local hot pot) - 88 yuan

Baochao Shiji (Deep-fried frog living between stones in the stream) - 118 yuan

Hongshao Chou Guiyu (Smelly Mandarin fish) - 68 yuan

Huifu Toudao Cai (Anhui government's No 1 dish) - 68 yuan