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Zhongnan Mountain

A famous mountain range renowned as a retreat for hermits and sages throughout Chinese history

Zhongnan Mountain Guide

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Zhongnan Mountain Overview

A comprehensive guide to Zhongnan Mountain, a famous Taoist sacred mountain near Xi'an.

Zhongnan Mountain (终南山), also known as Nan Shan, is a famous mountain range south of Xi'an in Shaanxi Province. Renowned as a retreat for hermits and sages throughout Chinese history, it offers excellent hiking trails, stunning mountain scenery, ancient temples, and the famous Louguantai Taoist Temple where Laozi is said to have written the Tao Te Ching (道德经).

The mountain has been a center of Chinese Taoism for over 2,000 years, with numerous temples, hermitages, and historical sites scattered throughout its peaks and valleys. The Louguantai Temple is the most famous, founded in 160 AD and associated with the legendary Laozi. The mountain also features the Ancient Glass Pavilion (古楼观), Xianyou Temple, and countless hermit caves where Taoist sages once lived in seclusion.

2,604m

Peak Height

2,000+

Years of Taoist History

Famous Peaks

Zhouzhi District

9:00 - 17:00 daily

CNY 45 per person

Spring and autumn for hiking

Must-See Highlights

The South Five Platforms (南五台) sit on the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains, about 25 km south of Xi'an. Named after five flat-topped peaks — Guanyin, Lingying, Wenshu, Qingliang, and Sheshen — the main peak reaches 1,688 m. Anciently called "Taiyi Mountain," it has long been celebrated as "the most scenic spot of Zhongnan."

① Lingying Platform (灵应台): The best viewing spot on the mountain. After rain or snow, a sea of clouds often fills the valleys — standing here feels like floating in a fairy realm. The Lingying Treasure Hall atop the peak appears as a pavilion suspended in the sky.
② Guanyin Platform (观音台 /大台): The highest of the five peaks at 1,688 m. From the summit you can overlook the entire scenic area and gaze across at the other four platforms. Legend has it that the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi climbed here and composed verse.
③ Wenshu Platform (文殊台): Dedicated to Manjusri Bodhisattva. The summit plateau covers about 400 m², flanked by sheer cliffs on east and west. Though not the tallest, its quaint temple perch is frequently wreathed in cloud.
④ Qingliang Platform (清凉台): A granite stone pavilion sits atop this peak. Sit inside, feel the cool mountain breeze, and enjoy the surrounding panorama.
⑤ Sheshen Platform (舍身台): The only undeveloped peak, now in ruins. Original structures are gone, leaving broken walls and mani stones stacked by outdoor enthusiasts — a rugged, off-the-beaten-path feel.
⑥ Nanshan Immortal Pine (南山不老松): An ancient nine-headed pine tree. Research traces the famous Chinese blessing "May your years be as long as the Southern Mountain's ageless pine" (寿比南山不老松) to this very tree — venerable in age and spectacular in form.