Kongtong Mountain

Kongtong Mountain, situated in Pingliang city of Gansu province, is an important fort on the route to the western exit of the central Shaanxi plain along the Silk Road.

The mountain has long enjoyeda reputation as the "First Taoism Mountain in China", connecting with Liupan Mountain on the west, facing the vast Qinchuan area on the east, borderingGuanshan Mountain on the south, and neighboringXiaoguan Pass on the north. Jinghe River and Yanzhi River run around the mountain on its north and south and converge at the foot of Wangjia Mountain.

The elevations of Kongtong Mountain range from 1,456 to 2,123.5 meters, with that of its main peak reaching 2,123 meters, and the mountain has a vertical height of 667.5 meters. Kongtong Mountain sports a forestation rateof over 95% acrossits total area of 83.6 sq km.

A legend has it that Yellow Emperor,primogenitor of the Chinese culture, once visited Kongtong Mountain to consult a man of wisdom, Guangchengzi, about state governance and healthcare. Kongtong Mountain was also visited by the First Emperor of Qin and Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Over the centuries, many men of letters, such as Sima Qian, Du Fu, Bai Jvyi, Zhao Shichun, Lin Zexu, and Tan Sitong, have written in praise about the mountain.

Since 1994, Kongdong Mountain has been recognized as a national key scenic spot, one of the first batch of 5A tourist attractions, a national geo-park, a national nature reserve, one of the "Top Ten Influential Brands of China's Tourism Industry", "China's Tourism and Culture Demonstration Site", one of the "Top Ten Taoist Cultural Tourist Attractions", and one of the "Top Ten Beautiful Religious Mountains in China" among others.