Laojun Mountain

When people talk about Laojun Mountain, they are usually referring to the Laojun Mountain Scenic Area in Luoyang, Henan. Here is some information about it: Basic Information - Location: Located in the eastern part of Luanchuan County, Luoyang, Henan Province, it is located on the northern slope of the Funiu Mountains and is the main peak of the 800-mile Funiu Mountains, a branch of the Qinling Mountains. It spans three administrative villages: Qiliping Village, Zhaigou Village, and Fangcun Village in Luanchuan Township, Luanchuan County. - Geology and Landforms: The area is mainly composed of mid-low mountains and river valleys. The main mountain range runs east to west, with higher elevations in the west and lower elevations in the east, forming a distinct step-like pattern. The main landform is a peak forest, with tilted, sliding, and collapsed peak forests, as well as the unique "Ten Thousand Peaks Worship" landscape. - Climate: Located in the transition zone between the northern subtropical and warm temperate zones, it has a continental monsoon climate with large temperature differences between day and night, abundant rainfall, distinct wet and dry seasons, and short sunshine hours and frost-free periods. History and Culture - Taoist Culture: During the Spring and Autumn Period, Laozi, the founder of Taoism, came here to live in seclusion and practice, making it the "source of Taoism" and "ancestral court". Since the Northern Wei Dynasty, temples such as the Laojun Temple have been built on the mountain. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty named it "Laojun Mountain", and Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty decreed it as a "famous mountain in the world", making it a sacred place for Taoism and a pilgrimage site for northern Taoists. - Historical Sites: Starting from the Qiliping entrance at the mountain gate, there are 16 temples, including the Taiqing Palace, Shifang Courtyard, Lingguan Hall, and Linzu Hall. Six of them still exist today, with the Laojun Temple at the peak being the most spectacular. Natural Scenery - Ten Mile Painting Screen: A granite peak forest landscape with the wonder of "a forest from afar, peaks up close", known as "an enlarged bonsai, a miniature fairyland". - Horse Mane Ridge: At an altitude of 2,217 meters, it is the highest peak of Laojun Mountain and the best place to enjoy the natural scenery. - Dream Valley: The scenic area is home to many waterfalls, such as the Laojun Waterfall, which is over 150 meters long and cascades down in five tiers, creating a magnificent scene. Cultural Landscape The palaces and temples, such as the Laojun Temple, are majestic and resplendent, appearing like a fairyland amidst the clouds and mist at the mountain top, attracting many believers and tourists to come for pilgrimage and sightseeing.