This is a World Geopark, also the Little Guilin of the North, and the Secret Capital of the Yellow Emperor

If I tell you that there is a World Geopark deep in the mountains of western Henan, you will believe it; if I tell you again that this is also the Little Guilin of the North, you will have doubts; if I tell you further that this is the Secret Capital of the Yellow Emperor, where the three founding ancestors of Chinese civilization—the Yellow Emperor, the Yan Emperor, and Chiyou—made peace and formed an alliance, you will surely find it absurd. But in Caocun Township, 40 kilometers northwest of Xin'an County, Luoyang City, Henan Province, there indeed exists such a place, called Qingyao Mountain.

Let me first dispel your doubts. As you enter the gate of Qingyao Mountain, you see a small basin surrounded by green mountains, with towering peaks in the distance. In the middle, Zhen Lake shimmers with clear blue waves and reflections, resembling Guilin yet surpassing it, making you feel you must be in Guilin, pretending to be in Guilin.

It is no wonder that such a fresh and elegant place was chosen by the Yellow Emperor as his secret capital. The claim that this is the Secret Capital of the Yellow Emperor is not a groundless fabrication. The famous ancient book Shan Hai Jing records: 'Qingyao Mountain is indeed the Secret Capital of the Emperor.' Legend has it that after the bloody war among the Yellow Emperor, the Yan Emperor, and Chiyou in the Central Plains, they realized the need for peaceful coexistence, ceased hostilities, and came to the Secret Capital of the Yellow Emperor to form an alliance, achieving the first great unity and integration in Chinese history. The Hehe Yuan at the top of Qingyao Mountain is said to be the site where the three leaders formed their alliance. At the top of the mountain, there originally stood a Hehe Palace, which enshrined the Yellow Emperor, the Yan Emperor, and Chiyou as gods. Today, the Hehe Palace is nowhere to be found, leaving only a vast expanse of megaliths and a temple built by later generations.

As for calling this the Little Guilin of the North, let's pretend it is; as for calling this the Secret Capital of the Yellow Emperor, let's leave that for historians to verify. But the World Geopark here is real, and its magnificent and beautiful scenery lives up to its reputation. Since the birth of the Earth, its internal and external movements have never ceased. Earth's movements have created the strange peaks, beautiful waters, steep mountains, and clear pools here. Qingyao Mountain is also called Qingyao Mountain (Green Waist Mountain) because the unique geology and landforms have caused lush rings of vegetation to grow on its steep slopes, like layers of green belts wrapped around the mountain.

After crustal movements, the surface underwent long-term weathering, erosion, cutting, and transportation, forming steep peaks, vertical cliffs, and deep valleys, making this a natural World Geopark. The mountains are covered by natural secondary forests, forming a natural botanical garden with communities of trees, shrubs, vines, herbs, and fungi. The entire scenic area integrates mountains, rocks, water, caves, forests, grass, and flowers, blending majesty, danger, wonder, seclusion, beauty, and marvel. It creates distinctive sightseeing zones such as Lianzhu Gorge, Shuanglong Gorge, Qingnv Peak, Moon Bay, Yuanren Pool, Hualang Lake, Zijing Pool, Xiahe, and the Primeval Forest, making it a tourist destination in central China that combines sightseeing, summer retreat, scientific research, and historical exploration.

Immersed in this place, you will experience alternating sensations and thrills—sometimes deep and secluded, sometimes steep and perilous, sometimes oppressive and breathtaking, sometimes open and bright like a sudden glimpse of paradise. It feels like a fairyland and a joyful human world.

Travel route to Qingyao Mountain: Take the Lianhuo Expressway and get off at the Xin'an exit, then follow the signs along the way. Friendly reminder: The scenic area is large; touring the entire area will take a lot of time and consume a lot of physical energy. It is best for the elderly and children not to go up the mountain but to walk through the canyons instead.