It is found between Qinghai and Gansu in the west, Yunnan in the south, Jiangxi in the southeast, and Shandong in the east.

[2] Sorbus hupehensis is a small deciduous tree growing to 5–10 m tall, with grey-brown to purplish-brown bark.

The fruit is a pome 5–8 mm diameter, bright pink with persistent sepals, maturing in late autumn.

[2] There are two varieties:[2] It is grown as an ornamental tree, valued for its white fruit contrasting with the orange autumn colour.

In cultivation, it has often been confused with the related Sorbus oligodonta (white-fruited or kite-leaf rowan) from south-western China.