Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (third batch) |
| Province | Shaanxi |
| Location | South of Baoji, Shaanxi |
| Mountains / Rivers and lakes | Qinling Mountains; Jialing River |
| Latitude, longitude | 34.3, 107.1 Google Maps |
| Nearby cities | Xi’an |
| Highlights | Strange peaks and rocks; sites of the Yan Emperor |
| Area | 133 km² |
| Elevation | 1,500 m |
| Highest point | 2,198 m |
| Nearby sites | Mount Taibai 63km, Maijishan Grottoes 106km, Mount Kongtong 149km, Mount Li and Huaqing Pool 192km, Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the Terracotta Army 198km Search nearby |
| Themes | Mountain, Stream, Culture, Peak, Stone |
About
Mount Tiantai lies at the northern foot of the Qinling south of Baoji, Shaanxi, less than 10 km from the city, averaging about 1,500 m; the main peak, Tianzhu, is 2,198 m. The scenic area has four parts, Dawangling, Yangjiatan, Tiantai Lotus Mountain and the source of the Jialing River, 133 km² in all.
It has strange peaks and rocks, pools, waterfalls and ravines; the Lotus, Tianzhu, Jima, Rentou, Shennong, Jifeng and Dasanling peaks are all granite peak-forest landforms.
Baoji is the home of the Yan Emperor Shennong; Mount Tiantai is said to be where he was poisoned while tasting the hundred herbs and was buried.
Dasan Pass, on Dasan Ridge in the Qinling about 17 km southwest of Baoji, guards the old Chencang road and is one of the four passes of Guanzhong. In the early Southern Song the brothers Wu Jie and Wu Lin defeated Jin forces here; Lu You recalled the battle in a well-known poem.
Jifeng Mountain was anciently called Mount Chencang. In 757 Chencang County was renamed Baoji ("treasure rooster") after a legend of a stone rooster crowing on the mountain.
It is in the third batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 1994.
Travel tips
Getting there: Tiantai Mountain stands on the north side of the Qinling range, south of Baoji city. Baoji South has high-speed trains, about an hour from Xi'an. From the city centre take a bus or taxi, or drive for about half an hour.
Layout: four areas - Dawangling, Yangjiatan, Tiantai Lotus Mountain and the source of the Jialing River. The main sights cluster at Tiantai Lotus Mountain.
Main sights: granite peaks - Lotus Peak, Tianzhu Peak, Jima Peak and Shennong Peak - seen one by one along the path; a temple to Shennong ties the mountain to the legend of Emperor Yan.
Climbing: paths have stone steps and some are steep; a park shuttle covers part of the distance, but the last stretches to viewpoints are on foot.
Time: one day covers the main sights.
Season: spring and autumn are pleasant, with good colour in autumn; summer is cooler than the city but wet paths are slippery; winter is cold and can be icy.
Combining: the Baoji Bronze Ware Museum and the Emperor Yan temple at Changyang Hill in the city can be added to the same trip, taking half a day to a day.
Where to stay: the city of Baoji is the easiest base; there is little lodging in the scenic area.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Maijishan Grottoes 106km, Dafosi Grottoes 117km, Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor 128km, Daming Palace 169km |
| National parks | Guanshan Lianhuatai 119km, Mount Kongtong 149km, Mount Guangwu 197km, Micang Mountain Grand Canyon 209km |
| AAAAA attractions | Mount Taibai 63km, Famen Temple Buddhist Culture Scenic Area 73km, Qianling Mausoleum Scenic Area 105km, Liupan Mountain Red Army Long March Tourist Area 161km |
| AAAA attractions | China Stone Drum Garden 8km, Jiulong Mountain 30km, Fengxiang East Lake 35km, Qingfeng Gorge 41km |
| UNESCO Global Geoparks | Qinling Zhongnanshan UNESCO Global Geopark 180km, Guangwushan-Nuoshuihe UNESCO Global Geopark 199km |
| National key parks | Yandiyuan 8km |
| Historical sites | Rujiazhuang Site 4km, Shigushan Cemetery 7km, Jintai Temple 9km, Beishouling Site 10km |
| Nature reserves | Guanyinshan National Nature Reserve 13km, Huangbaiyuan National Nature Reserve 65km, Laoxiancheng National Nature Reserve 81km, Changqing National Nature Reserve 93km |