Qianping Village, Bai’an Township, Xingtai County. It is 66 kilometres west of downtown Xingtai. You can arrive in 1.5 hours by driving west along the Xingtai-Zuoquan Highway.

The region enjoys convenient transport and smooth communications. The Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, Beijing-Kowloon Railway and Beijing-Shenzhen Expressway run north to south. Highways including Xingtai-Jinan, Xingtai-Heshun and Xingtai-Changzhi stretch east to west. A comprehensive transport network combining railways and highways connects Xingtai with all parts of China.

Purple Mountain Scenic Area is situated in Qianping Village, Bai’an Township, Xingtai County, 66 kilometres east of downtown Xingtai. It takes one and a half hours to reach by travelling west along the Xingtai-Zuoquan Highway.

The scenic zone borders Wu’an City and Zuoquan County in Shanxi Province, covering a planned area of 28 square kilometres. It is divided into six sightseeing districts according to different travel routes:

These six districts integrate peaks, ridges, slopes, valleys, gorges, caves, springs, waterfalls and dams. They boast diversified landforms as well as profound historical and cultural heritage.

The beautiful natural scenery changes distinctly with four seasons. It is an ideal destination for flower viewing in spring, summer cooling-off, fruit picking in autumn and ice sightseeing in winter. The phrase "lofty mountains, dense forests, clear waters and secluded valleys" perfectly depicts the charm of Purple Mountain.

Purple Mountain is the pride of local people in Xingtai. The renowned ancient astronomer, water conservancy expert and instrument maker Guo Shoujing studied here in his teenage years under the tutelage of Liu Bingzhong, a great prime minister of the Yuan Dynasty. Purple Gold Academy, a well-established prestigious school in the Yuan Dynasty, was where Guo Shoujing received his education. The ruins remain well-preserved, and the academy is honoured as ancient China’s "Tsinghua University". Not long ago, the International Astronomical Union named a crater on the far side of the Moon and an asteroid numbered 2012 after Guo Shoujing in memory of his achievements.

Along Anxia Gorge inside the scenic area lie seven ponds of similar size but varied shapes, arranged in the pattern of the Big Dipper. Locally they are named Seven-Star Ponds, after the seven constellations observed by Guo Shoujing during his astronomical research on Purple Mountain.

The average altitude of Purple Mountain exceeds 1,300 metres, with Motian Ridge, the highest peak, reaching 1,747.5 metres. The average summer temperature here is 9–12℃ lower than that in downtown Xingtai. Experts praise it as "Xingtai’s Cool Paradise and the Shangri-La of the Taihang Mountains". It is perfect for hiking, water fun, sightseeing, holidays, summer retreats and landscape painting.

Four unparalleled natural wonders can be found here:

These unique Taihang landforms are breathtaking and rarely seen elsewhere. After visiting Purple Mountain, the poet Shi Jiaocai was deeply inspired and composed the following poem.

Poets and friends climb high with elation, Near Mid-Autumn we tread the Taihang range. Heavenly Urn Gorge stirs our hearts with wonder, Apricot Immortal Villa frees us from mortal bondage. A kindly old hag dwells beneath Black Dragon Pool, Giant clams fill the lovely valley with sweet fragrance. Once I behold the beauty of Purple Mountain, I shall no longer dream of Suzhou and Hangzhou.

To sum up, every mountain and stream on Purple Mountain is a precious natural heritage left by nature and our ancestors. The lofty peaks are calling you, the roaring pines are welcoming you. Come and enjoy the flowing waves, wandering white clouds and the stunning scenery!