Menggehan Mountain Nature Reserve Ecotourism Area

　　Menggehan Mountain, also known as Xianbei Mountain, is situated in the transitional zone from the eastern foothills of the central Da Hinggan Mountains to the Horqin Sandy Land. It lies within the territory of Yihehada Township, Xiriga Sumu, approximately 7.5 kilometers from the county seat, Bayanhot Town, and 5 kilometers from the western bank of the Holin River.

　　Menggehan Mountain is the foremost of the four major "Han" mountains in Horqin Right Middle Banner (Menggehan, Burihan, Kuotunhan, and Hanchagan). Its main peak stands at an elevation of 721.3 meters, covering a total area of 20,800 hectares, of which forested land spans 8,634 hectares, accounting for 41.4% of the total area.

　　The summit of Menggehan is flat, surrounded by valleys and gullies, with mountain springs and streams meandering through, and frequent wildlife sightings. The wildlife here is predominantly avian, with 76 species in total. Among them, the nationally first-class protected birds include the great bustard and the golden eagle; the second-class protected birds are the northern goshawk, Eurasian sparrowhawk, rough-legged buzzard, grey-faced buzzard eagle, 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, foxes, wolves, Mongolian ground squirrels, Mongolian hares, yellow weasels, ring-necked pheasants, quails, sandgrouse, hoopoes, great spotted woodpeckers, shrikes, nightjars, pheasants, snow hares, and Mongolian larks. The mountain boasts a rich variety of plant life, with dense forests of shrubs and trees, and abundant rare flowers and valuable medicinal herbs in the deeper valleys and thickets. 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, cinquefoil, cotton rose, Siberian pea tree, hawthorn, motherwort, bird cherry, Lilium pumilum, reeds, bracken, daylily, great burnet, Chinese thorowax, saposhnikovia, feather grass, wild alfalfa, and Artemisia frigida. The area also hosts the nationally protected wild soybean. Edible fungi include wood ear, white mushroom, and needle mushroom.

　　Xianbei Mountain features a miniature Dragon King Temple and cliff dwellings, situated on the sunny side of the main ridge of Menggehan, nestled between two major ridges. The caves face south and are located about 80–100 meters up steep cliffs overlooking the valley, offering a view of rugged, majestic cliffs covered in lush greenery. There are three caves: Cave One, Cave Two, and Cave Three, spaced approximately 20 meters apart.

　　Each cave contains ancient inscriptions of undetermined age. 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 includes eight lines of Chinese characters, featuring words such as "Henan Mountain," "sitting alone at the stone mouth," "ear," "flower," and "protect the king’s peace." Inscription Two has two lines of Mongolian script; Inscription Three has one line of Tibetan script; 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 legible in three lines, including clear characters like "yellow" (first line) and "not" (third line). Additionally, there are two carved stones. Cave Three: The entrance is about 2 meters wide, 1.6 meters high, and 2 meters deep, containing one carved Khitan script.

　　Menggehan Mountain features overlapping peaks and valleys, with a grand and majestic presence. Everywhere you look, you’ll find uniquely shaped, strikingly diverse cliffs and rocks. The craftsmanship of nature has sculpted realistic formations resembling beasts, birds, and humans. Those resembling beasts may be seen howling at the sky or gazing down into the valley; those like birds appear ready to take flight or are caught mid-hunt; human-like figures seem lost in thought or standing with arms raised, pointing toward the heavens. Wondrous rock formations such as Universe Stone, Mother and Child Peak, Cave, One-Line Sky, and Laojun Watching the Moon are too numerous to list. They offer a glimpse into nature’s mysteries and magic, filling your heart with poetic wonder.

　　Verdant trees blanket the mountain, swaying gracefully and displaying their charm. Trees such as oak, elm, and five-angled maple turn the hills into an endless sea of green in spring and summer, covering the ranges. In late autumn, the forests are painted in vibrant hues, with frost-kissed leaves as red as February blossoms, embellishing the land. In winter, the mountain is draped in silvery white, exceptionally enchanting. Shrubs and herbaceous plants remain lush and colorful throughout spring, summer, and autumn, with blossoming flowers like apricot, cinquefoil, lilies, peonies, and polygonatum competing in beauty. Vines yield abundant, translucent fruits in the harvest season. The thriving vegetation provides an ideal habitat for wildlife. This is a "kingdom of plants" and a "paradise of animals," captivating visitors with nature’s boundless charm and making them linger in awe.