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People are all curious about the unknown and have the ambition to scale new heights. The beautiful mountains and rivers are just ahead of us, but many times, we are completely unaware of their existence!
So we need to explore, understand, spread and share...the beauty of these great mountains and rivers.
Taibai Mountain is the main peak of the Qinling Mountains that runs across the inland of my country from east to west, and is also the highest peak east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in mainland China. The main peak, Baxiantai, is 3,771.2 meters above sea level. It is famous for its high, cold, dangerous, strange, beautiful, rich and mysterious characteristics, and is the leader in China.
A national AAAAA forest park and a national water conservancy scenic area, it is the dividing ridge between the Yangtze River and the Yellow River systems. It is known as the "Natural Botanical Garden of Asia" and the "Natural Zoo of China".
The Taibai Mountain area has long winters and no summer, with spring and autumn connected, making it a veritable "natural air-conditioning park" and the best place to enjoy the snow in winter; "four seasons in one day, and different weather in ten miles" is the best interpretation of it.
Taibai Mountaincheck the details
Mount Taibai, the highest peak in the Qinling Mountains and the highest point east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, stands out among the peaks of the Qinling Mountains. Since ancient times, Mount Taibai has been renowned for its high altitude, coldness, precarious terrain, unique natural beauty, richness, and mysterious landscape, dominating Central China. Mount Taibai, the highest point in the watershed between the Weihe and Hanjiang River systems, boasts a diverse range of low, medium, and high mountain landforms, each with distinct boundaries and distinct characteristics. The various landforms carved by Quaternary glacial activity are particularly well-preserved and clearly discernible.
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Mount Taibai is located at the junction of Zhouzhi County in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, and Taibai and Mei Counties in Baoji. For visitors visiting Mount Taibai, Xi'an is a top choice for their first stop.
Mount Taibai is the central dragon vein in China's water distribution. Xi'an is the central landmark in China's geography and the capital city of Shaanxi Province. Its comprehensive development status in Northwest China is second to none!
So we chose Xi'an as our first stop. It is very convenient in terms of transportation, accommodation, dining, entertainment, shopping, work, etc.
Aircraft arrival
From Xianyang Airport to Xi'an, there are the Airport Intercity Line (16 yuan/person) and the Airport Bus Line (25 yuan/person), both of which can reach the destination within 1 hour; the Airport Intercity Line can go directly to Xi'an North Railway Station, and then transfer to Metro Lines 2 and 4 to enter the city.
Train Arrival
1. Xi'an Railway Station: The city center is right outside the station, and buses, subways, and taxis are very convenient;
2. Xi'an North Railway Station (high-speed railway station), with subway lines 2 and 4;
3. Xi'an South Railway Station is a bit remote. It is a freight station and a temporary passenger station. There are buses and taxis outside the station that can go directly to the subway stations in Chang'an District.
Car Arrival
There are bus stations on the main transportation lines in the four directions of east, south, west and north and in the city center, and you can connect to the subway and bus as soon as you exit the station.
Arriving by car
1. Traffic congestion in Xi'an is also second to none. Please pay attention to the traffic conditions and license plate restriction notices in the urban area in advance;
2. Find out in advance about accommodation, dining and parking availability at some destinations.
After arriving in Xi'an, you can choose to go to Taibai Mountain with a group tour or by car.
Group tour (easy, worry-free, convenient and fast)
Contact a travel agency you are familiar with and like for consultation and registration. Many travel agencies can accept ordinary one-day and two-day tours to Taibai Mountain. If you want to cross Taibai Mountain, you need to choose a more professional travel agency or outdoor club. The basic safety principle is to have the qualification certification to independently operate outdoor routes and an experienced outdoor leader team.
Self-driving tour
If you drive to Taibai Mountain Scenic Area by yourself, you can navigate to Taibai Mountain Tourist Service Center (about 2 hours to arrive). Note: If you navigate to Taibai Mountain Forest Park or Taibai Mountain, you will be directed to Red River Valley Forest Park!
If you are traveling by car, it is not recommended to cross Taibai Mountain. The best option is to relax and play in the Taibai Mountain Scenic Area (catering, accommodation, hot springs, scenic bus lines, and cable cars). From the Tourist Service Center to the Tianyuanfang sightseeing, all aspects are very convenient.
You can also take a bus to the Taibai Mountain Tourist Service Center from large tourist distribution centers such as the south, north, east, and west of the city.
(Photo from tourist travel notes)
【Six Wonders】
Magical geological features, magical natural climate, magical natural landscapes, magical rare plants, magical rare animals, and magical religious culture.
【Nine Wins】
The peak of Baxian Mountain, the light of Taibai Lake, the thousand-year-old ice cave, the pearl of Tianchi Lake, the snow of Taibai Mountain, the glacier rocks, the vertical landscape, the Ping'an sea of clouds, and the strange peak of Doumu Mountain.
Let us appreciate the beauty and temperament of Taibai Mountain
(Photo from the scenic spot promotional video)
Taibai Mountain is the largest mountain-shaped structural system in my country. The high mountain area still retains complete and diverse Quaternary glacial relics.
(Photo from Taibai Mountain Scenic Area promotional video)
The watershed between the Yangtze River and the Yellow River blocks the airflow from south to north, causing obvious differences in climate between the north and the south.
Taibai Mountain itself has a vertical height difference of more than 3,100 meters. It has the majesty of Mount Tai in the east, the steepness of Mount Hua in the west, the simplicity of Shennongjia, and the purity of Jiuzhaigou.
The magical rare plants and the Chinese Natural Botanical Garden have a complete ecosystem from warm to cold zones, and the biological provenance has a complete biogeographic vertical spectrum.
China's natural zoo is a paradise for rare and exotic animals. The photo above shows a takin, a national second-class protected wild animal.
(Photo from the nature reserve's official announcement)
Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism are integrated and connected in Taibai Mountain.
Baxianjueding, also known as Baxiantai, stands at 3,771.2 meters above sea level, the highest peak in the Qinling Mountains. Legend has it that Jiang Ziya conferred the gods and appointed immortals after King Wu defeated King Zhou. Soaring high and steep, towering into the clouds, it offers breathtaking sunrises and dazzling sunsets.
Taibai Lake is commonly known as Dayehai, Eryehai and Sanyehai.
The renowned alpine lake (Dayehai), a Quaternary glacial cirque, is believed by geologists to have formed over 10,000 years ago. Even in late May, when spring is in full bloom, its surface remains frozen. Its maximum depth is said to remain a mystery.
The diving expedition team only measured a vertical distance of 18 meters from the dive site to the seafloor, likely the first such dive in China. However, due to the severe lack of oxygen at high altitude and the extremely low water temperature, further depth measurements were not made.
(Photo courtesy of the Friendship Club)
On the cliff on the east side of Dayehai Lake, there is a "millennium-old ice cave", which looks like a "natural ice storage".
There are 6 alpine lakes above 3,000 meters above sea level, which are known as "alpine pearls".
Snow covers Taibai Mountain in June. You can imagine how magnificent the winter snow on Taibai Mountain is!
Of course, as the overall climate continues to warm, snow can sometimes be seen in June, but large areas of snow are no longer common, and only some relatively late snow can be seen in the shaded areas of the mountain tops.
(Photo from tourist travel notes)
The glacial rocks are mainly distributed above 3,600 meters above sea level, and are angular granite blocks all over the mountains.
Due to the change in altitude, the vegetation, climate, soil and animals of Taibai Mountain have all changed significantly in a vertical manner. There are eight landscape belts of forest vegetation from bottom to top.
(Photo from the scenic spot promotional video)
Mount Taibai is a place with thousands of peaks competing for beauty and thousands of valleys hiding clouds. Sea of clouds and mist are common in the middle and high mountain areas, and the Ping'an Sea of Clouds is the most spectacular.
(Photo courtesy of the Outdoor Club)
There are strange peaks and rocks everywhere. The mountains rise from the ground, the cliffs are thousands of feet high, and they reach the sky. They are in various shapes and sizes and are truly amazing.
1. Tangyu (Taibai Mountain Forest Park) Crossing the Iron Armor Tree (3rd/4th day)
It is the most mature and complete of all routes, with relatively better facilities and material supply guarantees.
Specific route: Depart from Tangyu (Taibai Mountain Forest Park) Tourist Service Center, pass Tianyuanfang → Wengong Temple → Dayehai → Baxiantai → Yuhuangchi → Nantianmen → Sanhe Palace → Tiejiashu → Houzhenzi → Heihe Forest Park, and return to Xi'an.
2 days and 1 night: Stay at Dayehai on D1, and go to Houzhenzi Town on D2;
3 days and 2 nights: Stay at Dawengong Temple on D1, stay at Nantianmen on D2, and go to Houzhenzi Town on D3;
4 days and 3 nights: Stay at Dawengong Temple on D1, stay at Dayehai on D2 to watch the sunset and sunrise, stay at Nantianmen on D3, and go to Houzhenzi Town on D4.
2. Yuanmenkou (Red River Valley Forest Park) Crossing the Ironclad Trees (3rd/4th day)
It is also a scenic area route. In terms of transportation facilities, the Red River Valley side is slightly worse; it merges with the Tangyu route at the Xiabansi cableway.
3. Yingtou (Yingge Town) Crossing the Iron Armor Tree (3rd/4th day)
The section to Wengong Temple is a pure outdoor mountain route. The entire route is very difficult due to the elevation gain. Local herbal farmers and mountain people walk this route all year round. It is currently a prohibited crossing area.
4. Tangyu (Taibai Mountain Forest Park) through Dudumen (Old County Town) (3rd/4th day)
The section from Batiantai to Dudumen belongs to the uninhabited area of Paomaliang Stone Sea Array and is a small part of the Aotai Crossing route; it is currently a prohibited crossing area.
5. Tangyu (Taibai Mountain Forest Park) through Yuanmenkou (Red River Valley Forest Park) (2 days)
Crossing is allowed. The public tourist route is from Taibai Mountain Forest Park to Red River Valley Forest Park, crossing the scenic area, climbing Tianyuanfang, and then descending to Red River Valley Forest Park.
(Photo courtesy of the Outdoor Club)
The six wonders and nine highlights of Mount Taibai can only be fully appreciated by traversing the entire route under good weather conditions.
1. Take the Fuyun Pavilion small cable car or the Tianxia cable car to Tianyuanfang
Due to their own physical limitations, some of the companions took some photos and toured for a while before taking the cable car down the mountain.
Another group of friends had to take the cable car down the mountain because they did not have enough travel guide, equipment and time.
Some friends have some experience in outdoor activities and are physically fit enough to go up to Dayehai and Batiantai. However, they will face many difficulties in finding accommodation and meals on the top of the mountain, especially during the peak season when accommodation is limited!
Accommodation and meals need to be booked 3 to 5 days in advance, otherwise the inn owner will be powerless and unable to help; or you have to carry the tent, sleeping bag, food and other equipment up the mountain by yourself, but very few people can do it, so you have to ask porters to help you. Besides, few people carry so much camping equipment with them wherever they go!
Therefore, I suggest that the best way to experience Taibai Mountain is to join a tour group, which is also the safest and has guaranteed logistics. Food, main dishes, transportation, entertainment, etc. are all taken care of for you!
2. Arrive at Taibai Mountain Tourist Service Center
You need to get a map of the scenic area in advance at the tourist service center. There are many stops along the way where you can get off the bus to visit. If you are a partner on a one-day tour and want to save more hiking time, you can take a cable car directly to Honghuaping to reach Tianyuanfang. You can also take the Fuyun Pavilion cable car (small cable car) at Xiaban Temple to Shangban Temple, and then walk to Tianyuanfang.
3. The altitude of Tianyuanfangdi has reached over 3,000 meters, and the oxygen has become significantly thinner. From here, there are no complete safety facilities such as wooden plank roads. There is only a small stone sea path that continues to extend forward and rise, and is often accompanied by strong winds and fog. In case of worse weather, it is recommended to retreat in time.
4. When passing through the three reception stations of Xiao Wengong Temple, Da Wengong Temple, and Dayehai, remember to check your equipment and warm clothes in time. If you are missing any or feel unwell, communicate with the inn owner in time to seek help and arrange to go down the mountain safely as soon as possible.
5. It's easy to get lost when descending from Batiantai! The summit is a vast expanse of rocky terrain. There are three clearly visible trails, with many smaller sections. Once fog sets in, it's difficult to discern the trails. An experienced leader and guide are essential.
6. Crampons and snow gaiters are essential. The entire route is downhill and enters areas with lush forest vegetation. Firstly, they are to prevent slipping, and secondly, they are to protect against some poisonous plants and biting insects. When passing Sanhe Palace Waterfall and entering the ancient plank road, the water level in the river will rise sharply due to rain, so you need to be extra careful and pay attention to the safety of your feet.
The conditions and facilities of the mountain inn are limited, and they all have large bunk beds. It is very crowded during the peak season and there is a shortage of beds!
The bedding is a little damp, so you need to bring your own light sleeping bag to prevent dirt; with so many people sleeping in one room, it is inevitable that some will snore loudly, so you need to practice your ability to adapt to noise interference.
Xiao Wengong Temple is 100 yuan/person, Da Wengong Temple is 130 yuan/person, Dayehai is 150 yuan/person, and Nantianmen is 130 yuan/person.
Local farmers and mountain dwellers run their own home-cooked meals, but the conditions are limited, so it's definitely not ideal! It's best to prepare your own meals and supplies, like with China-TravelNote, which offers a fully-inclusive meal package. Bring your own food and picnic gear, and you'll enjoy a delicious feast on Mount Taibai.
No matter which month you come, windproof, warm and cold-resistant clothing is a must. The climate in the mountains changes very quickly, and the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, so special attention should be paid; hiking shoes, trekking poles, hats, gloves, thermos bottles, skin care and sunscreen products.
There is no signal from Tianyuanfangdi to Tiejiashu. Please prepare a sufficient amount of cash for emergency expenses on the mountain.
Taibai Mountain Ticket Price: 90 Yuan/person
Jingjiao Bus 60 yuan/person
Fuyun Pavilion Cableway (small cableway, from Xiaban Temple to Shangban Temple): 50 yuan per person for one trip, 90 yuan per person for a round trip
Tianxia Cableway (large cableway, from Honghuaping to Tianyuanfang): 120 yuan per person for a single trip, 230 yuan per person for a round trip
