Changzhi Laoye Mountain Scenic Area

　　A key cultural relics protection unit of Shanxi Province. Laoye Mountain is renowned both in China and abroad as the main battlefield of the Shangdang Campaign. The three ancient pagodas standing majestically on the mountain, along with its rich historical legacy and beautiful natural scenery, make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.

　　Laoye Mountain, originally named San... It is located 15 kilometers southwest of Shangdang County, within the territory of Shanglian Township. Situated between 36.27 degrees north latitude and 113.46 degrees east longitude, it lies to the east of the Bajin Railway and Jintai Highway, providing direct access to Taiyuan; to the south, it overlooks the ancient town of Yuwu, a strategic junction known as the "thoroughfare of the three Jin regions"; to the north, it neighbors Xiangyuan County, where the sounds of chickens and dogs can be heard; and to the west, it nestles against towering mountains, making it a truly auspicious site. The mountain features three peaks standing in a row: one is called Línshān (Qilin Mountain), one is called Língshān (Spirit Mountain), and one is called Xúlíngshān (Xu Ling Mountain). When several peaks stand together, they are referred to as “...”, and based on their clustered appearance, they are collectively called “Three Peaks.” Locals affectionately call them “Old Man Mountain,” and due to the dense forests on the mountain, it is also known as “Green Peak.” Among them, the western peak towers majestically, rising abruptly from the ground — its main peak (commonly referred to as “Jiaoshan” or “Horn Mountain”) stands at an elevation of 266 meters, making it the highest among the surrounding ridges, which is why Laoye Mountain is also called Qilin Mountain.

　　During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Eighth Route Army, county militias, guerrilla forces, and local militia, all members of the Communist Party, used Laoye Mountain as a base to engage in long-term, indomitable, and heroic struggles against the invaders. After Japan’s surrender, this area became the main battleground of the Shangdang Campaign.

　　In mid-to-late September 1945, after Liu Bocheng, Commander of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Military District, and the Political Commissar led their troops to liberate the five counties of Xiangyuan, Tunliu, Lucheng, Huguan, and Zhangzi, they intercepted in early October at Laoye Mountain a relief force of over 22,000 troops comprising three armies and eight divisions sent by Yan Xishan. These forces were commanded by Peng Yubin, commander of the Seventh Army Group, and Hu Sanyu, commander of the Artillery Corps. After four days and three nights of fierce fighting, the enemy was completely annihilated or captured. This played a decisive role in securing the final victory of the Shangdang Campaign and stands as a shining example of our army overcoming an enemy with superior equipment using inferior gear, as well as achieving a complete victory against a numerically superior foe.

　　To this day, only a Lotus Relic Pagoda remains, its surface riddled with bullet holes still clearly visible. The pagoda stands 13 meters tall and is a square nine-story dense-eave structure. To commemorate the revolutionary martyrs, the Laoye Mountain Battlefield site was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit in 1964. To honor their past battle achievements, a memorial pavilion was erected and a monument was established in 1986. The inscription on the stele recounts the details of the battle, the heroic deeds of the martyrs, and the arduous journey they undertook.

　　In ancient times, Laoye Mountain was the setting for legendary tales of epic proportions. According to the “Huainanzi,” “Emperor Yao ordered Yi to shoot down the nine suns on San... Mountain.” It is said that Di Zu relied on his divine bow... and thus left his mark here. Because there are so many mythical legends associated with the Three Peaks, during the Tang Dynasty, poets and scholars were drawn to the mountain, composing poems that gave rise to sayings such as “Three Peaks Soaring High” and “Watching the Sunset from the Three Peaks.” Later, many inscriptions and tablets were erected. Subsequently, emperors and officials of various dynasties also built temples and shrines here.

　　In ancient times, people believed the Three Peaks could commune with the heavens, receive blessings, and bring rain. Historical records indicate that every year on the second and seventh days of the second lunar month, worshippers would climb the mountain to pray for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest. They would also visit temples and worship Buddha, offering incense and praying along the way near places like Yuwu Ancient Town, Laoye Mountain Ecological Park, the Millennium White Pine, and the Shangdang Reporters’ Forest. In ordinary times, when no buses were available, visitors could take a taxi from Tunliu County to get there, at a cost of around 50 yuan. On May 24, 1965, the People's Government of Shanxi Province announced it as one of the first batch of key cultural relic protection units in the province.

　　Contact number: 0355-7675066

　　Address: Laoye Mountain, Shanglian Township, Tunliu County, Changzhi City

　　Scenic area-related service facilities: There is a parking lot at the scenic area entrance at the foot of Laoye Mountain; the nearest gas station is in Tunliu County; Tunliu County has a People’s Hospital; banks in Tunliu County include Agricultural Bank, Construction Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank, and Postal Savings.

　　Transportation: During the tourist high season, there are shuttle buses from the county town to Laoye Mountain, averaging one every half hour, as well as buses from Changzhi City to Laoye Mountain. The route to Laoye Mountain passes by Yuwu Industrial Park, Laoye Mountain Ecological Park, the Millennium White Pine, and the Shangdang Journalists’ Forest. Normally, there are no buses, but you can take a taxi from Tunliu County, at a cost of about 50 yuan.