Lying 7.5 miles to the west of Pingliang City in Gansu Province, Kongdong Mountain is noted for its marvelous natural scenery and exquisite manmade landscapes. It enjoys the reputation as "The Holy Land of Taoism", "The Remarkable Spectacle of Western China" and "The First Mountain in Western China".

Beautiful Natural Scenery

Kongdong Mountain is a branch of Liupan Mountain. Though located in the western plateau area, the mountain is endowed with the characteristics both of the magnificence of China's northern mountains and the beauty of southern mountains. Huge mountains stand one after another with vast patches of green forests as their clothes and ethereal mist as their white belt. Kongdong Mountain is abundant in stone caves and houses, many of which are located in the cliffs or dense forest where nobody sets foot. The famous ones include Guangcheng Cave, Zhaoyang Cave, Xuanhe Cave and Kongdong Cave. In addition, Kongdong Mountain is a rich water resource. The Yanzhi River flows from the north. Every spring, peach blossoms fall into the water and float on the current: a lovely sight. At the foot of the mountain, Tanzheng Lake flows calmly like a mirror, and its murmuring water sounds like a Chinese zither, giving the lake its name, Tanzheng Lake (Playing Zither Lake).

Long History and Profound Religious Culture

The father of Chinese culture, the Emperor Xuan Yuan, once visited Kongdong Mountain to consult the wise man Guang Chengzi on how to manage the country and maintain good health. From then on, Kongdong Mountain rapidly gained prestige. Later on, the King of Mu in the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC-771 BC), the Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the Emperor Wu in Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD), all followed him to visit Kongdong Mountain, which made the mountain more and more famous.

Kongdong Mountain is the holy mountain of three religions: Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. It is said that Taoism temples were being built on Kongdong Mountain as early as in the Wei (220-265) and Jin (265-420) Dynasties. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), construction began on Taihe Palace and other attached Taoist buildings. Since then, Taoism has been handed down from one generation to another. Buddhism also flourished in Kongdong Mountain, as evidence of Buddhist rituals can be found in it from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). There are 19 Buddhist temples from the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Today Buddhism and Taoism grow together in a harmonious atmosphere on Kongdong Mountain, a situation which is unique to Kongdong Mountain. In addition, Kongdong Mountain has cultivated many Confucianism scholars such as Huang Fumi, the talented founder of Chinese Acupuncture.

Prolific Resources of Plants and Animals

Kongdong Mountain is home to various species. There are over 1,000 kinds of plants, many of which are precious medicinal herbs. The famous trees include Chinese pines and cypresses. Some trees are about one thousand years old but still grow vigorously with green boughs covering the sunlight. Over 300 kinds of wild animals live protected on Kongdong Mountain. Among them, the vulture, sparrow-hawk, white crane, and leopard are listed in rosters for the national conservation of wild life.

In past dynasties, many men of letters and philosophers visited Kongdong Mountain and left poems and articles to praise its beauty and glorious culture. Today more and more visitors are enchanted by its irresistible charm. Thanks to its endless beauty, it deserves to be called "The First Mountain in Western China".

Admission Fee:

CNY 60