Xinglong Mountain, also named Mt. Xinglong or Qiyun Mountain,is 60 kilometers (40 miles) away from Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province. Rising about 2,400 meters (7,800 feet) above sea level, it is covered with thick pine forests and scattered with colorful temples. In addition to the stunning landscape, rich Taoism culture makes the mountain more popular. There are 1,022 kinds of wild plants and 160 varieties of wild animals in this national forest park. Since the air in summer is fresh and cool, it is a favorable place to escape the heat.
Xinglong Mountain is formed by two mountains - the eastern Xinglong Hill 2,400 meters (7,800 feet) above sea level and the western Qiyun Hill 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level. Between them is Xinglong Valley filled with water, and Yunlong Bridge stretches across it. You can also take a cable car to shuttle between two hills. The Eastern Hill is more interesting while the Western Hill is more breathtaking. On the Eastern Hill you can stroll along a wooden gallery road with a length of 1,200 meters (1,300 yards) and watch pine trees with an age of hundreds of years. Also, you may step into Erxian Platform, Taibai Spring, Big Buddha Temple, Xisong Pavilion, Dilei Pavilion and Kuixing Temple on the Eastern Hill. On the Western Hill, visitors can admire Hunyun Pavilion, Zhaoyun Pavilion, visit temples housing statues of Jade Emperor, Dragon King, and Land Secretary. Besides, the high ladder there is very challenging and breathtaking.
Yunlong Bridge
Yunlong Bridge is one of the landmarks of Xinglong Mountain. It is a colorful arch bridge in gallery style with a length of 155 meters (170 yards). 16 red pillars support the colored glazed roof and two pavilions are seated in each end. It looks like a rainbow linking Xinglong Hill and Qiyun Hill. This classic building combines harmoniously with the green trees and emerald water.
Big Buddha Temple
The main colors of Big Buddha Temple are blue, red and green and it is formed by three large halls in the middle and two small halls on two sides. There are three high spruces in front of the temple and five gers are scattered in the yard. In the main hall, visitors can see the Shakyamuni Buddha in the middle and the statue of Genghis Khan in front of it. Medicine Buddha is set on the left and Amitabha on the right. It is recorded that Genghis Khan died in Xinglong Mountain in 1227 when his troops fought with Western Xia (1038-1227). After his death, his clothes and weapons were preserved in the mountain. In 1939, his coffin was secretly removed into the Big Buddha Temple and the preservation lasted until 1949. This period of history brings the mountain greater reputation.
Tomb of Liu Yiming
The rich Taoism culture of the mountain can date back to Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 B.C. -771 B.C) when Taoists cut caves to practice Taoism there. Among numerous Taoists there, Liu Yiming in the Qing Dynasty(1644-1912) is most famous because he not only healed the sick but also built 62 Taoist temples over several decades. He also finished 22 Taoism books in Xinglong Mountain and his tomb is located there.
House of Chiang Kai-shek
The leader of Nationalist Party called Chiang Kai-shek lived there at the foot of Xinglong Mountain. It is also the place where he held a military meeting. It is a small villa built for the daily life of the leader, his wife and his henchmen during the six days in August of 1943. On the first floor are living room, waiting room, henchmen’s room, and meeting room. Another meeting room, confidential room, bedroom, dressing room and bathroom are distributed on the second floor.
How to get to Xinglong Mountain
From Tianshui Road Bus Station in Lanzhou, one can take a bus to Yuzhong County in one hour, and then take bus line 6 or hail a taxi to the mountain within 15 minutes.
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