National Day Holiday, These Scenic Spots in Xin'an County Are Pulling Out All the Stops! Exciting Events and Free Tickets

"If you don't get out and explore, you might think this is all the world there is." "October Indian summer," combined with the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival double holiday, makes it the perfect time to travel.

With significant achievements in domestic epidemic prevention and control, Chinese people's travel demand has been unleashed. Data shows that the number of tourists during the 8-day National Day holiday is expected to reach 600 million. In light of this, Xin'an County, as one of the most dynamic and promising counties in the central and western regions, has been actively improving its internal capabilities and continuously enhancing its tourism service levels to meet the diverse and personalized travel needs of a broader range of tourists, offering them a better travel experience.

Xin'an County, established as a county during the Qin Dynasty, embodies the meaning of "new peace and tranquility." It was a必经之地 on the ancient Silk Road and one of the main birthplaces of Heluo culture.

In recent years, adhering to the strategy of "revitalizing the county through culture and tourism," Xin'an County has actively integrated into the construction of the Yellow River tourism boutique belt in Henan Province. Focusing on several premium scenic spots such as Longtan Grand Canyon, Qingyao Mountain, Daimei Mountain, Jingzi Fairy Mountain, Xin'an Hangu Pass, and the Museum of Thousands of Tang Dynasty Epitaphs, it has built a comprehensive tourism planning system and a new pattern of cultural and tourism integration. It has received numerous honorary titles such as "China's Strong Tourism County," "National Advanced Cultural County," and "National Advanced County for Cultural Relics Protection."

During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival double holiday, many scenic spots in Xin'an County have actively responded and jointly celebrated by launching a variety of colorful activities.

Longtan Grand Canyon is the closest 5A-level scenic spot to Luoyang city. It boasts many reputations such as "China's First Zhang Gorge," "Natural Museum of Ancient Oceans," "Premium Gorge," "Yellow River Landscape Gallery," and "Strange Ponds Through Geologic History, Geological Gallery." It has been rated by UNESCO as "a place everyone should go." After 1.2 billion years of geological sedimentation and 2.6 million years of water erosion and cutting, it has formed world-class wonders of high gorges and urn valleys, and spectacular mountain collapses and ground fissures.

Within the scenic area, passes face each other, ponds and waterfalls link like pearls, cliffs stand thousands of feet high, and the gorges are beautiful and serene, making visitors linger. Its unique six natural mysteries, seven deep pond waterfalls, and eight natural wonders are breathtaking. Besides the beautiful scenery, there are various entertainment projects such as skywalks, zip lines, internet-famous swinging bridges on water, and boating, enough for a full day of fun.

During the National Day holiday, Longtan Grand Canyon has non-stop events:

"Take a Photo with the National Flag" — On October 1st, visitors who take a photo with the national flag at the flag stand in the Geopark Square and share it on their social media can receive a free mooncake on-site.

"Celebrate Birthdays with the Motherland" — From October 1st to October 8th, visitors whose birthday is October 1st or whose name contains "Jianguo" or "Guoqing" can enter the scenic area for free with their ID card.

"Embrace Life, Return to Nature" — From October 4th to October 6th, every evening from 20:00 to 21:00, folk culture, interactive performances, and bonfire parties will keep the fun going.

Free Entry for Those Wearing Hanfu — From October 1st to October 8th, visitors wearing Hanfu or other traditional ethnic costumes can enter the scenic area for free.

Additionally, during the National Day holiday, Longtan Gorge will also host events such as "Dedication to National Day·Zither Moves the City" premium gorge guzheng performance and "Golden Autumn Elegance, Scenic Xin'an" large-scale calligraphy tour exhibition.

It is worth mentioning that from October 1st to December 31st, 2020, visitors who purchase tickets for Longtan Gorge Scenic Area can also receive free tickets to Qingyao Mountain, Daimei Mountain, and Jingzi Fairy Mountain at the Longtan Gorge ticket center.

Qingyao Mountain is a national 4A-level scenic spot and a world geopark. The area is rich in various types of geological relics that are concentrated and unique, earning it the name "Natural Geological Museum."

With an altitude of 1,385 meters, the scenic area consists of five major sightseeing zones: Lianzhu Gorge, Shuanglong Gorge, Qingnv Peak, Xiahe, and Primitive Forest. It integrates mountains, rocks, water, caves, forests, grass, flowers, birds, and animals, blending magnificence, danger, wonder, beauty, and charm. The pleasant landscape, captivating scenery, and breathtaking steepness of the mountains all make it highly desirable.

On National Day, Qingyao Mountain also launched the "Enjoy the Mid-Autumn Moon·Fun at Qingyao Mountain" event. Visitors sent blessings to the motherland on the Everlasting Bridge, witnessed a love spanning a thousand years at the "Hanfu Wedding Show," and sang and danced at the lively bonfire party, enjoying delicious food and endless fun.

"Daimei's wonders are unparalleled under heaven; one would sigh and think of a small paradise in a land of peach blossoms." Daimei Mountain, named after "Daimei Madonna," the consort of King Tang of Shang, is a geological wonder mountain, a cultural mountain, and an ecological mountain. It is also a national 4A-level scenic spot, a world geopark, a national water conservancy scenic area, and the only original ecological tourism scenic area in China surrounded by the Yellow River on three sides.

The scenic area consists of four major landscape zones: Cloud-top Garden, Alpine Meadow, Geological Gallery, and Grand View of the Yellow River. It features many classic landscapes such as the Celestial Road Wonder, Tang-Dai Love (Angel's Kiss), Lucky Gorge, General's Stockade, Hidden Soldier Cave, and Flying Divine Rock. The strange cliffs and grotesque rocks present various postures; the magnificent mountain streams and waterfalls are spectacular; the Yellow River gorge winds into the heart, stirring the soul, offering a special experience of "scenery passing by, people roaming in the painting."

On National Day, Daimei Mountain, together with People's Daily Cultural and Creative, launched the "Hello Mountains and Rivers·Meet Daimei Mountain" event, giving away 200 free tickets.

Jingzi Fairy Mountain is an important part of the "Wangwu Mountain - Daimei Mountain World Geopark." According to the "Classic of Mountains and Seas," Jingzi Fairy Mountain got its name because it is covered with catalpa trees, and during the blooming season, purple flowers spread all over the mountains.

Jingzi Fairy Mountain integrates Taoist culture, sightseeing, ecological leisure, vacation recuperation, outdoor sports, and cultural study. It boasts unique natural resources and a rich cultural atmosphere. The peaks in the area rise majestically, presenting a grand scene. The main peak, Tiantan Peak, is 829 meters above sea level and is an excellent spot to admire the scenery on both sides of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir of the Yellow River. In summer and autumn, it is the perfect time to see one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Xin'an," known as "Purple Haze on Jingzi," where mist gathers into a sea of clouds, creating a magnificent sight.

During the National Day holiday, visitors whose birthday is October 1st or whose name contains "Jianguo" or "Guoqing" can enter Jingzi Fairy Mountain for free with their ID card.

The Xin'an Hangu Pass site was a defensive city established by the Han Empire in the Central Plains region from the 2nd century BC to the 3rd century AD. It was also an important pass relic that Luoyang, as the capital of the Eastern Han Dynasty, had to pass through when traveling west from the starting point of the Silk Road. As one of the "Eight Passes of Luoyang," it guarded the western gateway of Luoyang.

In the winter of 114 BC (the third year of Yuanding of the Western Han Dynasty), Yang Pu, the Marquis of Louchuan of the Western Han Dynasty, relocated the Qin Hangu Pass originally located in Lingbao City, Henan Province, to this location, historically known as the Han Hangu Pass.

The Xin'an Hangu Pass has outstanding heritage value, featuring two "Top Ten New Archaeological Discoveries in China": the excavation project of the eastern wall of the pass city and the Han Dynasty salt east storage site. It is not only a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level announced by the State Council but also the first pass west of Luoyang among the 33 declaration points of the "Silk Roads: The Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor" project, which was successfully inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Museum of Thousands of Tang Dynasty Epitaphs

The Museum of Thousands of Tang Dynasty Epitaphs can be considered the cultural business card of Xin'an County. It is a national second-class museum, a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level, and the only specialized museum of epitaphs in China. It was founded by Zhang Fang, a veteran of the Xinhai Revolution, and its calligraphy plaque was inscribed by the Chinese master scholar Zhang Binglin.

The museum houses over 2,200 pieces of epitaph stone carvings, and its Tang Dynasty epitaphs account for more than one-third of the total unearthed Tang tombstone epitaphs in China. Due to their rich content, they are praised as "The Stone-carved Tang History" and "The Evolution History of Tang Calligraphy." It is a base for the study of Tang Dynasty history, a camp for Tang culture, and a sacred place for Chinese calligraphy.

The epitaph stone carvings and calligraphy and painting steles of famous artists from various dynasties collected in the museum provide valuable historical records for studying the rise and fall of the three-hundred-year Tang Dynasty and its calligraphy art, making it an excellent place for people to experience the historical and cultural atmosphere of Xin'an County.

In addition, during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival double holiday, Xin'an County will simultaneously launch activities such as the Half Marathon & Thousand People Fitness Walk, the "Dennis Cup" Photography Contest Exhibition, the Harvest Festival Theme Photography Exhibition, and the "Grand River Fields Remembering Hometown" Autumn Harvest Cultural Tourism, all to welcome the festivities.

Xin'an County extends an invitation to tourists across the country: I am waiting for you in Xin'an!