Menggehan Mountain Nature Reserve Ecotourism Area

Menggehan Mountain Nature Reserve Ecotourism Area

Menggehan Mountain Nature Reserve Ecotourism Area is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Menggehan Mountain Nature Reserve Ecotourism Area

Menggehan Mountain, also known as Xianbei Mountain, is located in the transitional zone from the eastern foothills of the central section of the Greater Khingan Mountains to the Horqin Sandy Land. It lies within the territory of Yihehada Gacha, Xiriga Sumu, approximately 7.5 kilometers from the banner government seat of Bayan Hushuo Town and 5 kilometers from the western bank of the Holin River.

Menggehan Mountain is the foremost of the four great Han Mountains (Menggehan, Burihan, Kuotunhan, and Hanchagan) in Horqin Right Middle Banner. The main peak has an elevation of 721.3 meters, and the total area covers 20,800 hectares, including 8,634 hectares of forest land, accounting for 41.4% of the total area. The summit of the Han Mountain is flat, surrounded by valleys and ravines, with mountain springs and streams flowing gently, and frequent sightings of birds and beasts. The wildlife here is mainly birds, totaling 76 species. Among them, the nationally first-class protected birds are the great bustard and the golden eagle; the nationally second-class protected birds include the northern goshawk, Eurasian sparrowhawk, rough-legged buzzard, grey-faced buzzard eagle, cinereous vulture, Eurasian hobby, red-footed falcon, and common buzzard. Of the 17 mammal species, the lynx is a nationally second-class protected animal. Reptiles and birds mainly include roe deer, wild boar, fox, wolf, suslik, Mongolian rabbit, steppe polecat, ring-necked pheasant, quail, sandgrouse, hoopoe, great spotted woodpecker, shrike, nightjar, pheasant, snow hare, and Mongolian lark. The mountain is rich in plant species, with dense forests of shrubs and trees, and abundant weeds and bushes in the deep valleys, often featuring rare flowers and valuable medicinal herbs. There are 500 species of seed plants and ferns across 69 families and 243 genera. Among them, plants of significant economic value include Mongolian oak, five-angled maple, Manchurian hazelnut, wild rose, Potentilla fruticosa, Clematis hexapetala, Siberian pea tree, hawthorn, motherwort, bird cherry, Lilium pumilum, reeds, fiddlehead ferns, daylily, sanguisorba, Bupleurum, Saposhnikovia divaricata, Cleistogenes squarrosa, wild alfalfa, Artemisia frigida, and others, as well as the nationally protected wild soybean. Edible fungi include wood ear, white mushroom, and needle mushroom.

634 hectares, accounting for 41.4% of the total area. The summit of the Han Mountain is flat, surrounded by valleys and ravines, with mountain springs and streams flowing gently, and frequent sightings of birds and beasts. The wildlife here is mainly birds, totaling 76 species. Among them, the nationally first-class protected birds are the great bustard and the golden eagle; the nationally second-class protected birds include the northern goshawk, Eurasian sparrowhawk, rough-legged buzzard, grey-faced buzzard eagle, cinereous vulture, Eurasian hobby, red-footed falcon, and common buzzard. Of the 17 mammal species, the lynx is a nationally second-class protected animal. Reptiles and birds mainly include roe deer, wild boar, fox, wolf, suslik, Mongolian rabbit, steppe polecat, ring-necked pheasant, quail, sandgrouse, hoopoe, great spotted woodpecker, shrike, nightjar, pheasant, snow hare, and Mongolian lark. The mountain is rich in plant species, with dense forests of shrubs and trees, and abundant weeds and bushes in the deep valleys, often featuring rare flowers and valuable medicinal herbs. There are 500 species of seed plants and ferns across 69 families and 243 genera. Among them, plants of significant economic value include Mongolian oak, five-angled maple, Manchurian hazelnut, wild rose, Potentilla fruticosa, Clematis hexapetala, Siberian pea tree, hawthorn, motherwort, bird cherry, Lilium pumilum, reeds, fiddlehead ferns, daylily, sanguisorba, Bupleurum, Saposhnikovia divaricata, Cleistogenes squarrosa, wild alfalfa, Artemisia frigida, and others, as well as the nationally protected wild soybean. Edible fungi include wood ear, white mushroom, and needle mushroom.

Xianbei Mountain features a miniature Dragon King Temple and inhabited caves, situated on the sunny side of the main ridge of the Han Mountain, nestled between two major ridges in a valley. The caves face south and are located on cliffs about 80–100 meters from the valley, offering a view down into the valley with steep, majestic cliffs and lush greenery. There are three caves: Cave One, Cave Two, and Cave Three, spaced approximately 20

meters apart. Each cave contains ancient inscriptions of unknown date. Cave One: The entrance is 2 meters wide and 1.6 meters high; inside, it is 3 meters wide, 2.8 meters deep, and 1.9 meters high, with five inscriptions. Inscription One has eight lines of Chinese characters, including phrases such as “Henan Mountain,” “sitting alone at the stone mouth,” “ear,” “flower,” and “protect the king’s peace.” Inscription Two has two lines in Mongolian; Inscription Three has one line in Tibetan; Inscription Four has two Chinese characters “today”; Inscription Five has two Chinese characters “mountain man.” Cave Two: The entrance is 1.6 meters wide and 1.5 meters high; inside, it is 4 meters wide, 1.6 meters high, and 3 meters deep. About 1.6 meters from the entrance, there is one Chinese inscription with three legible lines, including the characters “yellow” (first line) and “not” (third line). Additionally, there are two engraved stones. Cave Three: The entrance is about 2 meters wide, 1.6 meters high, and 2 meters deep, containing one engraved Khitan script.

Menggehan Mountain features overlapping peaks and valleys with a grand and majestic atmosphere, where uniquely shaped and diverse strange peaks and rocks can be seen everywhere on the cliffs. The craftsmanship of nature has sculpted realistic formations resembling beasts, birds, and humans. Those resembling beasts may be howling at the sky or gazing down into the valley; those resembling birds may be spreading their wings as if to fly or swooping down to catch prey; those resembling humans may be in deep thought or standing with arms raised, pointing to the heavens and earth. Strange rock formations such as Universe Stone, Mother and Child Peak, Hermit Cave, One-Line Sky, and Laojun Watching the Moon are too numerous to list, filling you with a sense of nature’s mystery and wonder, and leaving your heart filled with poetic imagery.

Verdant trees cover the mountains, displaying graceful and delicate beauty. Trees such as oak, elm, and five-angled maple turn the hills into an endless sea of green in spring and summer, covering the mountains; in late autumn, the forests are painted in vibrant hues, with frost-kissed leaves as red as February flowers, adorning the land; in winter, the landscape is draped in silvery white, exceptionally enchanting. Shrubs and herbaceous plants are also lush and colorful in spring, summer, and autumn, with flowers such as apricot, Potentilla fruticosa, lily, peony, and polygonatum blooming brilliantly and competing in splendor. Vines bear abundant, crystal-clear fruits in the autumn harvest season. The lush vegetation provides an excellent habitat for wildlife. This is a “kingdom of plants” and a “paradise of animals,” allowing visitors to experience the boundless charm of nature and linger on, reluctant to leave.