Lingbao Niangniang Mountain Scenic Area

Lingbao Niangniang Mountain Scenic Area

Lingbao Niangniang Mountain Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Niangniang Mountain, also known as Nülang Mountain, is located at the easternmost end of the Xiaoqinling Mountain Range. It sits in the southern part of Jiaocun Town, about 10 kilometers southwest of Lingbao City, covering a total area of 28 square kilometers. With its stunning natural scenery, Niangniang Mountain, along with the Hangu Pass and Yawushan National Forest Park, forms the "品"-shaped Yellow River tourist route of Lingbao City. There is also a beautiful legend about Niangniang Mountain. According to the legend, during the Han Dynasty, there were two daughters of the Li family who lived at the foot of the mountain. When they reached marriageable age, their mother tried to arrange their marriages, but they refused. Their mother said, “A woman’s home is with her husband; no one remains unmarried for life.” The two sisters pointed to the mountain and said, “This mountain shall be our husband’s home.” They then fled to the mountaintop and later ascended to heaven together with their mother. They were said to often summon wind and rain, bringing abundant rainfall to bless the people, which is why the mountain is also called Fujia Mountain (Husband’s Home Mountain). For thousands of years, numerous magical and moving folk tales about Niangniang Mountain have been widely circulated, making it a sacred mountain in the hearts of the people in western Henan. The Niangniang Temple at the mountain peak, the Huangtian Tomb, and the La’er Nian scenic spots are all rich in cultural stories, adding an air of mystery to Niangniang Mountain.

Niangniang Mountain is divided into six major scenic areas with 29 attractions. Among them, the “Qinling Sled” is one of the ancient twenty scenic views of Lingbao. The most perilous part of Niangniang Mountain is the Ma’anqiao section near the main peak. Hikers tread on stone ledges no wider than a foot, with sheer cliffs thousands of meters deep below, while the howling mountain wind in their ears makes the experience no less thrilling than the Yellow Crane Ridge of Huangshan or the Close-to-Ear Cliff of Huashan. The mountain has an intact body with a narrow and steep ridge, where sharp peaks stand abruptly, and straight rock pillars and walls rise high into the sky. Near the wind gap at an altitude of 1,136 meters, there is a giant thousand-year-old turtle-shaped rock, with its shell and head naturally formed, neat and perfect, facing the main peak and the Niangniang Temple, known as the “Golden Turtle Paying Homage.” The standalone western peak features various rock formations shaped by the wind, such as the Stone Monkey Gazing at the Sky, the Turtle Carrying a Heavy Load, and the Dragon Soaring into the Sky, all created by nature with exquisite craftsmanship and striking beauty. The canyon landforms of Niangniang Mountain are uniquely developed, with V-shaped valleys, tranquil streams, lush forests, and blooming flowers, creating a fairy-tale-like atmosphere. Famous mountain springs include Xiaolong Pool, Mapao Spring, Heilong Pool, and Bailong Pool, among more than ten others.

The majesty of Niangniang Mountain is best appreciated from the summit of its main peak, which stands at 1,556.12 meters. Looking east, you can see Lingbao City’s high-rises and bustling traffic. To the south, there lies a serene lake with ever-changing vistas—the Zhankou Reservoir resembles a piece of jade inlaid among the mountains. To the west, snow-white cliffs and granite walls form spectacular cascading stone waterfalls. To the north, you’ll gaze upon orchard-covered plains—the ancient Hongnong Plateau is lush and green, dotted with fields of yellow flowers and six million mu of pine and cypress forests, creating vivid layers of green and gold that bring a refreshing, awe-inspiring, and transcendent experience.

Admission Fee

Admission fee: 35 RMB

Location

Nanshang Village, Jiaocun Town, Lingbao City, Henan Province