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| | Mountain Jin'ge [edit this] | | Mountain Jin'ge is 11 kilometers north of Chicheng County Seat. It is said that Mountain Jin'ge was named after Jin'ge immortal, who once practiced austerities here many years ago. In the period of Emperor Zhengtong of the Ming Dynasty, Governor of Changping, Yanghong, a famous general defending a frontiers rebuilt and extended the original Chongzhen Temple, which has been called Lingzhen Temple since then.
The founder of Lingzhen Temple in Mountain Jin'ge was Qi Zhicheng, a disciple of the fourth generation of Qiu Chuji. It is recorded that at the age of 14, he began to study Taoism in Jingju Temple located in Mountain Xilong of Taiyuan. After several years of hard training and practicing, he came to Yunzhou of Chicheng, where he cured patients and disseminated morality and Justice. One day he walked out of Yunzhou with a stick and came to Mountain Xishan. Arriving at Liujiagu, he saw the thick forest, the towering and graceful peaks, and found it a good place to practice austerities and determined to build a temple. He named the mountain Mountain Jin'ge, the valley Youxian (wandering immortal) Valley and the temple Yunxi (Cloud and Stream) Temple respectively. The founding of Yunxi Temple increased the influence of Taoism and drew the attention of the imperial government. In 1270, Kublai of the Yuan Dynasty renamed Yuxi Temple as Chongzhen Temple and a horizontal board, inscribed with the words Chongzhen, was bestowed upon the temple. In Chongzhen Temple there are seven buildings, including Dongmen Pavilion, Qizhen Hall, Main Hall, Sanqing Hall, etc. There are graceful ridges and peaks, verdant and luxuriant trees, rare birds and gurgling clear springs in this scenic spot. You can admire such splendid scenery soon after entering the gate. You can also visit the Scene where Qi Zhicheng preached his doctrine and the other resorts of Taoism, such as Qingxu Cave, Changchun Cave, Longfeng (Dragon and Phoenix) Cave, Shuimu (the Queen Mother of Water) Temple, Yao (Medicine) Cave, Sheshen (Sacrificing) Cliff, etc. Walking on Xiangu Bridge, you may have an understanding of the following: “He Xiangu (the female one of the Eight immortals in Taoism mythology) goes back to her parents' home walking in clouds and mist.” | Edit by: Tom | |
| Jinhekou Nature Reserve [edit this] | | Jinhe River Mouth lies in the valley at the northern foot of Little Mountain Wutai in the north east of Yuxian County, which is the highest peak in Hebei Province. It is 170 kilometers away from Zhangjiakou. With an average elevation of 2,000 meters, Dongtai ranks first in the mountains in Hebei, i.e. 2,882 meters above sea level.
The scenic splendors of Jinhe River Mouth is filled with primeval charm. Green mountains and clear waters set each other off beautifully. Sheer precipices, a quiet and secluded valley, dancing butterflies, singing birds, rare animals and luxuriant plants are more than the eye could take in. Flowers in full bloom are strongly fragrant in the valley. A clear stream is flowing in the valley all the year round. Golden rocks in the stream are shining under the sun. The rocks and the green vegetation enhance each other's beauty. 30 sceneries are mainly in the valley in good order, such as the site of Dongpo, Guanfo (Worshipping Buddha) Platform, Fengdong (Moved by wind) Stone, Qingliang (Cool) Valley, Xianshui (Immortal Sleeping) Stone, Heilong (Black Dragon) Pond, Zhenzhu (Pearl) spring, Qicai (Colorful) Rock Shoal, Yixiantian Stone, etc.
There are towering peaks and dense forest in Little Mountain Wutai. This area is rich in biological resources. As the typical representative of the ecosystem of North China, it is highly heeded by the biologists inside and outside China. It is a botanical garden, where experts and scholars often come to collect specimens and do some investigation and sightseeing. | Edit by: Tom | |
| Mountain Cuiyun Skiing Field [edit this] | | Mountain Cuiyun Skiing Field, 261 kilometers from Beijing, is located in the Zhaimianqou Forest of Chonqli. The average elevation of Mountain Cuiyun is 1,500 meters and the highest peak is 2,100 meters above sea level. The temperature in winter is 30℃ to -15℃. High-quality snow here is over one meter deep and can stay for more than 5 months. There are 130 days suitable for skiing from November to March of the coming year. Mountain Cuiyun Skiing Field is an ideal skiing and entertainment resort. | Edit by: Tom | |
| Mountain Jiming [edit this] | | Mountain Jiming is 2 kilometers east of Xiahuayuan District and so kilometers from Zhangjiakou City. It covers an area of 17.5 square kilometers at an elevation of 1,128.9 meters. Trees and grass are luxuriant, and a single peak, alone, towers to the sky. The magnificent Mountain Jiming, thus, is called Towering Pillar. According to the Historical Records of Huailai, in the period of Emperor Zhenguan of the Tang Dynasty, the Tujue (Turk) encroached on the Central Plains and the inhabitants of the border area were given no peace. Emperor Taizong led a military expedition against the Tujue. He heard the cockcrow at night while staying temporarily in the mountain, therefore named it Mountain Jiming (cock crow).
The temples were built on Mountain Jiming in the Northern Wei, Tang, Liao, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Once there were as many as 108 temples. The oldest one was Bixiayuanjun Temple built in 481. The biggest one was Yongning Temple built in 1024. Mountain Jiming has been a famous place since ancient times. It is said that many monarchs such as Emperor Wencheng of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Shengzong and Emperor Dowager Xiao of the Liao Dynasty, Emperor Shun of the Yuan Dynasty, Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, etc. visited Mountain Jiming and admired the magnificent northern scenery. Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty came to Xiahuayuan 4 times and visited Mountain Jiming twice from 1696 to 1706. The Wolong stone where he once rested is still Well-preserved. | Edit by: Tom | |
| Guyuan Grassland [edit this] | | Guyuan Grassland is located in Guyuan County, 180 kilometers from Zhangjiakou City. It connects Inner Mongolia Grassland on the north.
Gushuifuyuan Holiday Resort is 5 kilometers east of Guyuan County Seat, covering an area of about 30,000 mu, of which 12,000 mu is a body of water. The wonderful scenery, famous for its luxuriant flowers and grass, vast lake, rugged and zigzag Mountain Tanshan and a boundless stretch of natural grassland, has drawn kings and princes, generals and ministers, scholars and poets in the successive dynasties. There exists the site of Shuzang Building in good condition and a large number of sites of imperial palaces of the Liao, the Jin and the Yuan Dynasties. You can enjoy the fresh air and the splendid view of flowers, grass and trees to your heart's content. It is great fun to visit places of historic interest, taste local specialties, and live an idyllic life and experience folk customs.
Mountain Jinlian Villa is 50 kilometers away from Guyuan and 230 kilometers from Zhangjiaokou City, covering an area of 60,000 mu, 800 meters above sea level. It is a natural wild botanical garden to the north of the Great Wall. In summer Mountain Jinlian Villa presents a splendid view of dancing bees and butterflies, flushing springs, clouds and mist. | Edit by: Tom | |
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