The Emerald Guardian of the Loess: Discovering the Sacred Peaks of Xinglong Mountain

Located approximately 60 kilometers from Lanzhou and just five kilometers southwest of the Yuzhong county seat, Xinglong Mountain stands as a magnificent natural sentinel in the heart of the Loess Plateau. Historically revered as the "First Mountain of Ganzhou," it is the nearest national-level forest park to Lanzhou City. The mountain was anciently named "Qiyun Mountain" due to the "endless and boundless white clouds" that frequently shroud its summits, but it was renamed "Xinglong Mountain" during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty to symbolize the concept of revival.

Geographically, the scenic area is defined by its two primary peaks: the East Peak, known as Xinglong, reaching an altitude of 2,400 meters, and the West Peak, known as Qiyun, which stands at 2,500 meters. Tucked between these two towering giants is the Xinglong Gorge, a dramatic valley bridged by the historic Yunlong Bridge, a majestic 155-meter-long gallery-style wooden arch bridge that elegantly connects the two mountains. The highest point in the nature reserve reaches 3,021 meters, offering a cool, high-altitude climate that serves as a vital ecological oasis for the region.

Xinglong Mountain is a profound synthesis of natural beauty and spiritual heritage, having served as a site for Taoist and Buddhist practice since the Western Zhou Dynasty. By the 1950s, the mountain was home to over 70 pavilions, towers, and temples, making it a major religious landmark. A significant chapter of its history involves the Mongol Empire; in 1227, the coffin of Genghis Khan was moved to the mountain's Dafo Temple for secret safekeeping, where it remained until 1949. Today, visitors can explore the Cheng-ling Exhibition Hall, which commemorates this history alongside various temples like the Chaoyun Guan and Hunyuan Pavilion.

Beyond its cultural depth, the site offers diverse recreational opportunities across all seasons. From May to October, the lush greenery and vibrant wildflowers like the "White Spring" fairy flower provide a refreshing escape for hikers and photographers. In winter, the area transforms into a premier destination for winter sports, housing the only well-equipped high-mountain international ski resort in Gansu Province, making Xinglong Mountain a year-round pillar of Lanzhou’s tourism landscape.