Zhongnan Mountain

Zhongnan Mountain is located south of Xi'an City in Shaanxi Province. It is a section of the Qinling Mountains, attracting many tourists with its rich natural scenery and profound cultural heritage. Here is a travel guide:

Recommended Attractions:
- Cuihua Mountain: A national AAAA-level tourist attraction, known as the "Unique Beauty of Zhongnan" and the "China Geological and Geomorphological Museum." It features Tianchi Lake, Ice Cave, Wind Cave, and other sights. The ticket price is about 70 RMB per person.
- Nanwutai: Known as the "Divine Scenic Area of Zhongnan," the mountain has five peaks named Guanyin, Wenshu, Qingliang, Lingying, and Sheshen, with many temples. Tickets cost 50 RMB per person in peak season and 30 RMB in off-season.
- Louguantai: One of the earliest important sacred sites of Chinese Taoism. It is said that Laozi taught the Tao Te Ching here. Historical relics include the preaching platform and alchemy furnace. Tickets are about 70 RMB per person.

Transportation Guide:
- Public Transport: Take the subway to Weiqunan Station, then transfer to bus route 4-04, which goes directly to some scenic spots. You can also take the mountain sightseeing loop line near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda to reach some attractions.
- Self-driving: Navigate directly to "Zhongnan Mountain." From Xi'an, enter the Bao-Mao Expressway (Xizha section) via the Qujiang entrance on the Xi'an Ring Expressway, get off at Taiyi Palace, and drive south for 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can reach it by taking Ziwu Avenue and the Qinling Mountain Loop Tourist Road eastward.

Accommodation Suggestions:
- Near Cuihua Mountain: There are many farmhouses and guesthouses with beautiful environments and relatively affordable prices.
- Near Nanwutai: You can stay in guesthouses or hotels at the foot of the mountain, convenient for getting up early the next day to climb and watch the sunrise.
- Near Louguantai: There are some characteristic hotels and farmhouses where you can experience the Taoist cultural atmosphere.

Food Recommendations:
Special local foods include liangpi (cold skin noodles), roujiamo (meat sandwich), saozi noodles, and buckwheat noodles. Around the scenic areas, farmhouses also offer dishes like stewed native chicken with mushrooms and cold mixed huicai (a local vegetable).

Notes:
The climate in Zhongnan Mountain is changeable, with large temperature differences between morning and evening. It is recommended to bring warm clothing and rain gear. Some areas are residences for practitioners, so please respect their privacy and do not disturb or photograph inside the huts.