Qinling Mountains

China's north–south dividing line, a mountain region made up of the perilous Mount Hua, lofty Taibai, the Hanzhong Basin and the landscapes of Shangluo.

The Qinling Mountains stretch across southern Shaanxi and form China's geographic north–south divide, extending east to the Funiu Mountains in Henan. In travel terms, the Qinling is approached through Xi'an: in the east, Mount Hua is "the most perilous mountain under heaven"; on the northern slopes are Zhongnan Mountain, Taibai Mountain (main peak 3,771 m, with remains of Quaternary alpine glaciers), Niubeiliang National Forest Park and the Qinling Wildlife Park. On the southern slopes, Hanzhong has canola flower seas, the Shimen plank road and Han-dynasty cultural relics, while Shangluo has Jinsi Gorge, the Zhashui karst caves and Dihua Ancient Town; the western end connects to Famen Temple and Guanshan Grassland near Baoji. The giant panda, golden snub-nosed monkey, crested ibis and takin, known as the "Four Treasures of the Qinling," are its ecological calling cards. You can plan day trips around Xi'an (Mount Hua, Zhongnan Mountain) or a 4–6-day loop of Xi'an – Zhashui – Shangnan – Hanzhong – Baoji; the Xi'an–Chengdu and Xi'an–Kangding high-speed railways run right through the mountains. Mountain weather is changeable, and climbing Taibai Mountain requires professional preparation. Zhongnan Mountain, South Wutai and Cuihua Mountain on the northern slopes are also weekend hiking and cool-weather getaways for Xi'an residents, with many mountain guesthouses and farmstays; photography enthusiasts can watch crested ibises in Yangxian and look for giant panda habitat in Foping.

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