Zhen'an: A Quiet City Deep in the Qinling Mountains

My first encounter with this city was on a highway sign. The name is pleasant to the ear and gives a sense of peace and tranquility. It is about 120 km from Xi'an, less than a 2-hour drive. First stop: Jintai Mountain The scenic area is in the county town, and you can reach it soon after getting off the highway. Jintai Mountain is home to the ancient Xinglong Temple, the ancestral temple of the Tantric Buddhism of the Tang Dynasty. The buildings on the mountain are characterized by the Tang Tantric Buddhist culture. Some people say it looks like a small Kyoto, but it is actually in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty. There are few tourists in the off-season, making it a great place to take photos. It is recommended to climb the stairs up the mountain and then go down the mountain along the road, which takes about 2 hours in total. Second stop: Yungaisi Ancient Town Although it is an ancient town, the main street is mostly modern, and the only thing worth seeing is an old street in the ancient town. The houses are neatly arranged, and the street is quiet. There are not many people living there, but you can still feel the atmosphere of life. The unique architectural style of Jiangnan is quite interesting. Overall, there are not many fun places to visit, but if you like peace and quiet, you can come here for a stroll. Third stop: Xiuping Park During the day, I saw a pagoda in the distance on Jintai Mountain, and when I passed by at night, I found it lit up, so I had to go up and see it. I have to say, the pagoda is really beautiful when illuminated. Fourth stop: Tayun Mountain "The first fairyland in the Qinling Mountains, the most dangerous Taoist temple in the world", with an altitude of 1,665 meters, the Golden Top Guanyin Hall is surrounded by a 10,000-meter abyss on three sides, built on the top of the mountain, with very steep stairs, which is really shocking. It was built in the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 500 years. Just think, in the days without modern tools, people built such a Taoist temple in the depths of the Qinling Mountains, which is really a testament to the wisdom and perseverance of our ancestors! You can reach the glass bridge along the cliffside walkway to see the Moyue Tower and return via the suspension bridge. The glass bridge requires an additional fee of CNY 35. The scenic area route is well designed, so you don't have to go back the way you came. The whole hike is about 5.5 km, 3.5 hours, with a total elevation gain of more than 460 meters. 💰: Ticket CNY 50, scenic shuttle bus CNY 20, insurance CNY 5. Accommodation: Jintai Academy Lanyin Hotel. Dining: Xiaoyang Weizheng Farmhouse Cuisine, recommended dishes: Chestnut Braised Chicken, Zhen'an Stir-fry, Potato Cake Stir-fried with Bacon.