Baoji

Birthplace of Zhou and Qin culture, with the Buddha's finger-bone relic at Famen Temple, the Bronze Ware Museum and Mount Taibai, the Qinling's highest peak – culture and a cool mountain retreat in one.

Known in ancient times as Chencang and Yongzhou, Baoji sits at the western end of the Guanzhong Plain in Shaanxi. The Wei River runs right through the city, with the Qinling Mountains to the south and the Qian Mountains to the north. As the cradle of the Zhou and Qin civilizations, it is known as the "Home of Bronzes" and the "Hometown of the Yan Emperor". It is about 170 km from Xi'an – as little as about 1 hour by high-speed train on the Xi'an–Baoji line – and Baoji South Station is also a hub on the Xuzhou–Lanzhou and Baoji–Lanzhou high-speed railways.

Sightseeing falls into three broad parts. First, the culture trail in and around the city: the Baoji Bronze Ware Museum (home of the original He zun), the Chinese Stone Drum Garden and the Yan Emperor's Mausoleum. Second, the Zhou culture trail to the northeast in Fufeng and Qishan: the Famen Temple Cultural Scenic Area, the Zhouyuan ruins and Zhouyuan Museum, and the Zhuge Liang Temple at Wuzhangyuan – a chance to try authentic Qishan saozi noodles too. Third, the nature trail: Mount Taibai to the south, the Qinling's highest peak (3,771.2 m, the highest point east of the Tibetan Plateau); the Jiucheng Palace ruins in Linyou to the north; and alpine meadows such as Guanshan Pasture in Long County and Dashuichuan in Chencang District (horse riding and cool summers; best reached by car).

The best season is April–October: spring flowers across Guanzhong, summer escapes to Mount Taibai and Guanshan, and peak red leaves on Mount Taibai in September–October. In winter some Mount Taibai routes close, so check official notices before you go. Plan on 3–4 days: 1 day in the city, 1 day for Famen Temple + Zhouyuan + Wuzhangyuan, and 1–2 days for Mount Taibai. Public transport to sights outside the city is limited, so hire a car or drive. Temperatures at the summit of Mount Taibai can be up to 20°C lower than at the base, so bring a waterproof shell jacket; pace yourself and watch for altitude sickness on the high sections.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries