Linlu Mountain

　　The Taihang Mountains stretch for thousands of miles like a colossal emerald dragon, coiling across the vast lands of Henan, Shanxi, and Hebei provinces. The western part of these mountains within Linzhou City is known as the Southern Taihang Linlu Mountain. The world-renowned “Artificial Heavenly River” — the Red Flag Canal — is built along the cliffs of these mountains. Hence, this scenic area is named the “Red Flag Canal · Linlu Mountain Scenic Area.” It is a national-level scenic spot and also home to a paragliding base that is “first in Asia and among the best in the world.” The main area covers 100 square kilometers. China’s beautiful landscapes are often described as “majestic in the north and elegant in the south,” and Linlu Mountain boasts the most spectacular northern grandeur. Linlu Mountain has a warm temperate, semi-humid continental monsoon climate. Its highest peak stands at an elevation of 1,675 meters, contributing to unique mountainous climatic characteristics. The average annual rainfall is around 670 millimeters. The seasons are distinct, with ample sunlight, mild springs with little rain, cool and refreshing autumns, and an average temperature of 12.7°C. With a long history, Linlu Mountain combines distinctive natural and cultural landscapes. The scenic area contains 10 cultural heritage sites protected at the provincial level or above, and 71 at the municipal or county level, offering abundant tourism resources.

　　Since the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, this place has been a widely renowned tourist destination. It has been frequented by emperors, generals, scholars, warriors, celebrities, eminent monks, and skilled artisans throughout history, all leaving behind their beautiful and magical legends. Wu Ding, the 22nd king of the Shang Dynasty, was sent by his father to live among commoners and slaves in Wangxiangyan during his youth. There, he met Fu Yue, a slave whom he discovered to be exceptionally talented. For three years after ascending the throne, Wu Ding remained silent until he finally persuaded his ministers to invite Fu Yue out of hiding and appoint him as prime minister. With Fu Yue’s assistance, Wu Ding brought about the “Revival of the Yin Dynasty” in Chinese history.

　　During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Xia Fu, a court official, sought refuge here under an assumed identity to escape political persecution, and traces of his stay remain to this day. In the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing era, the wandering Taoist priest Zhao Deshou resided in the mountains, dedicating himself to cultivating immortality and building cliffside landscapes. The tomb pagodas of him and his disciples can still be seen. The scenery of the scenic area is majestic and uniquely beautiful.

　　Through recent years of development and construction, a distinctive scenic area has taken shape, centered around attractions such as the “Artificial Heavenly River” Red Flag Canal, the Taihang Grand Canyon, the Soul of Taihang — Wangxiangyan, the upside-down seasons of Peach Blossom Valley, the northern grandeur of Tianping Mountain, the cypress garden of Longfeng Mountain, the stone gate spring of Wanquan Mountain, and the natural bridge of Wulong Cave. The Taihang Grand Canyon begins at Huishanjiao in Rencun Town, Linzhou City, and extends south to Jingdi Village in Pingshun County, Shanxi Province. It stretches 30 kilometers from north to south and 200 meters from east to west, with the narrowest point being only 60 meters. Surrounded by mountains, the area features overlapping peaks, abrupt cliffs, crisscrossing platforms and walls, and a rich variety of forms. Lush forests, green hills, flowing streams, and cliffside plank walks create a landscape that is “majestic, perilous, strange, and beautiful.” From high vantage points, the scenery captivates in every direction — above, below, left, and right.

　　Major scenic areas include the Mountain Front Scenic Area, Wangxiangyan Scenic Area, Xiantai Mountain Scenic Area, Peach Blossom Valley Scenic Area, Taihang Pinghu Scenic Area, and the Linlu Mountain International Paragliding Base. The miraculous sights of peach blossoms blooming in snow-covered Peach Blossom Valley during the coldest winter days, and ice forming inside caves in scorching summer heat in Peach Blossom Valley, leave visitors in awe and full of praise. The Taihang Grand Canyon, with its rich natural and cultural landscapes, attracts visitors from all over. Each year, it welcomes large numbers of tourists for sightseeing, camping, health retreats, paragliding, and rock climbing. Numerous television stations and film studios from Beijing, Henan, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other locations have used the area as a filming location for TV dramas and movies. Famous productions such as the movie Li Shuangshuang and the TV series Unforgettable Years — The Story of the Red Flag Canal were filmed here. Every year, many art students and teachers from art academies visit to sketch and paint, creating countless outstanding artworks. To achieve the goal of “bringing a prosperous, progressive, and picturesque new Linzhou into the 21st century,” the Linzhou Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government have decided to accelerate the development and construction of the Linlu Mountain Scenic Area and boost the city’s tourism industry. They call on all cadres and citizens to continue the pioneering spirit that built the Red Flag Canal, to overcome difficulties, and to work hard for five years to improve facilities and beautify the scenic spots. This effort aims to cultivate new economic growth points for the city and to establish the nationally renowned Linlu Mountain Scenic Area. In the near future, Linzhou’s mountains and waters will become even more beautiful, attracting tourists from far and wide.

　　Address: Linzhou City, Anyang, Henan Province, China

　　Type: National Park / Mountain

　　Suggested Duration: Half a Day