Southern Shaanxi

Hanzhong, Ankang and Shangluo, the Qinling–Daba mountain scenery south of the Qinling Mountains, with rapeseed flower seas, crested ibis and giant panda habitats, and Han River views.

Southern Shaanxi is one of the three official regions of Shaanxi. It refers to the Qinling–Daba mountains and the Han River valley south of the Qinling Mountains, and includes three prefecture-level cities, Hanzhong, Ankang and Shangluo; Foping belongs to Hanzhong, while Zhashui and Shangnan belong to Shangluo. Hanzhong is the birthplace of Han culture; the Gu Han Terrace, the General-Appointing Altar and the Wuhou Shrine and Tomb in Mianxian bear witness to the Chu–Han contention and the Three Kingdoms era, and the Shimen plank road recreates the look of the ancient Shu roads. Every spring, rapeseed flowers carpet the fields of the Hanzhong Basin, Yangxian is an important habitat of the crested ibis, and Qingmuchuan Ancient Town in Ningqiang and Liping National Forest Park in Nanzheng are also popular. Foping lies on the southern slope of the Qinling Mountains and is one of the areas with the densest wild giant panda populations. Ankang's Yinghu Lake is a large reservoir lake on the Han River, while Ziyang's selenium-rich tea and Nangong Mountain in Langao each have their own appeal. Niubeiliang in Zhashui, Shangluo, is an important habitat of the Qinling takin, Zhashui Karst Cave and the deep gorge of Jinsixia in Shangnan are both striking, and Dihua Ancient Town in Danfeng is associated with the rural writings of the author Jia Pingwa. A classic itinerary is three days enjoying the flowers in Hanzhong in spring, or two to three days crossing the Qinling Mountains from Xi'an to Zhashui and Shangnan, or a combined trip of five to seven days. For transport, the Xi'an–Chengdu high-speed railway links Xi'an with Hanzhong, the Xi'an–Ankang Railway and the Baotou–Maoming Expressway connect Ankang and Zhashui, and you can fly to Hanzhong Chenggu Airport and Ankang Fuqiang Airport. In the mountain rainy season, watch for landslides and road controls; when entering protected areas, follow the rules and do not feed or chase wild animals.

Destinations

Itineraries