Golden Tower Mountain

Golden Tower Mountain

Golden Tower Mountain is located within Qijiahe Township, with an elevation of 1,566 meters, and is one of the three main peaks of the Zhongtiao Mountain range. The hike up to the summit along the Xiayi Highway covers a total distance of 6,000 meters. The mountain boasts a rich heritage of Buddhist and Taoist culture, with historical remnants still present, including the Golden Cicada Temple, Xuan Emperor Temple, Mountain God Temple, Three Officials Temple, Three Gods Temple, Auntie Nunnery, Xidan Nunnery, as well as tombs, steles, and pagodas. At an altitude of 1,300 meters on the mountainside, there is a mountain meadow spanning over 260 acres, which is said to have been the military training ground of Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty. The Qijiahe River Valley features a significant drop in elevation and abundant water flow, connecting directly with the Yellow River Valley, making it suitable for the development of rafting projects. The Yanwang Gorge at the foot of the mountain is flanked by steep cliffs, historically a haunt for soldiers and bandits, offering a dramatic and picturesque landscape. Qijiahe faces Mianchi County in Henan Province across the river, facilitating easy tourism integration with markets in Sanmenxia, Luoyang, and Zhengzhou in Henan, presenting broad prospects for tourism development.

On the hillside near the mountain gate entrance, there is a natural cave. On one side of the cave’s opening, there is a cluster of quartz crystals. Under the illumination of colored lights, the cave emits a dreamy glow, resembling a fairyland palace.

Golden Tower Mountain is rich in both natural and cultural attractions. Small Huashan Peak, the Golden Toad Gazing at the Moon, the White Pine Forest, the Nine-Dragon Wall, the Peacock Grove, the Welcoming Pine, and the Hundred-Zhang Cliff... every step presents a scenic view. Climbing Golden Tower Mountain is like walking through a corridor of landscapes.

Lou Shanping is a vast, flat high-altitude meadow area covering nearly 300 acres. Surrounded by forests and hidden among the woods, it resembles a paradise on earth. Within the forested areas of Lou Shanping, the ruins of religious structures such as the Golden Cicada Temple, Xuan Emperor Temple, Ancestral God Temple, Three Officials Temple, and Mountain God Temple are still preserved.

In a small valley on the outer edge of Lou Shanping, mountain spring water has formed a small depression, where a small dam has now been built to create a highland lake (Heavenly Lake), offering a highly scenic view.

The summit of Lou Shan, at an elevation of 1,566 meters, is one of the three main peaks of the Zhongtiao Mountain range. Visitors reaching the top can look eastward to the Yellow River and westward to Silver Lake. The sunrise viewed from Lou Shan is also highly recommended as a spectacular highlight.

The main battlefield of the Zhongtiao Mountain Campaign during the War of Resistance against Japan took place at the foot of Golden Tower Mountain. Japanese forces once used Lou Shanping for parachuting troops in a so-called "decapitation operation" targeting the headquarters of the Nationalist Fifth Army Group stationed in Macun, leading to the defeat of the Chinese army. Today, remnants of Japanese artillery positions and trenches still exist here. A memorial tower and stele have been erected to establish a commemorative site for the Zhongtiao Mountain Campaign, allowing visitors to pay their respects.

Qijiahe Township: Located in the heart of the Zhongtiao Mountains in the southeastern part of Xia County, Qijiahe Township borders Yuanqu County to the east, Pinglu County to the west, faces Mianchi County in Henan Province across the Yellow River to the south, and adjoins Sijiao Town of the same county to the north. The township government is situated 70 kilometers from the county seat, making it the most remote mountainous township in Xia County. It covers a total area of 211.2 square kilometers, with land area of 300,000 mu, arable land of 22,000 mu, and forested area of 150,000 mu. The township comprises 17 administrative villages, 101 natural villages, and has a population of 150,000.

The elevation of the township ranges from 240 to 1,665 meters. It is surrounded by mountains, crisscrossed with ravines, featuring complex terrain and ancient landforms... More detailed information about Qijiahe Township++