Where to Go for National Day? Xi'an Louguan All-in-One Pass: 55 Yuan for 6 Major Scenic Spots, 2 Wonderful Days

It's the autumn travel season again, and you don't need to leave the province to explore.

To let citizens and visitors from surrounding areas enjoy a peaceful and happy National Day, the launch ceremony of the "2021 Qinling Louguan Autumn Tourism Festival" was warmly held at the Qinling National Botanical Garden on September 29.

The biggest highlight of this autumn tourism season is the introduction of the "Qinling Louguan All-in-One Ticket."

With just one ticket (original price 150 yuan, now only 55 yuan), visitors can access all the following scenic spots: Qinling National Botanical Garden, Qinling Sibao Science Park, Zhaogongming Cultural Scenic Area (including the God of Wealth Folk Culture Museum), Zhongnanshan Ancient Louguan Historical and Cultural Scenic Area (including the Chinese Tao Te Ching Cultural Garden), Yanshengguan, and Huanvquan. Some might worry: can I cover so many spots in a single day? Don't fret – this pass is valid for two days within the Louguan area.

Louguan lies at the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains, in Zhouzhi County, Xi'an. This is where Laozi once expounded the Dao, and it is also the hometown of the God of Wealth, Zhao Gongming. Here you'll find the world's largest botanical garden – the Qinling National Botanical Garden – and the upgraded Shaanxi Rare Animal Rescue Base, now a calling card of Qinling: the Qinling Sibao National Park. It's also the land of kiwifruit, home to China's largest kiwifruit base. The region teems with tourism resources and cultural landmarks. For travel lovers, there are flowers to admire, history to ponder, peaks to climb, and orchards to pick from... It is hailed as the "Number One Blessed Place Under Heaven."

Because of its wealth of attractions, Louguan's management has long been fragmented, leaving first-time visitors confused – many only knew the ancient Louguan centered on Daoist culture. Now, the Qinling Big Louguan IP, jointly launched by Qinling National Botanical Garden, Xi'an Louguan Eco-Cultural Tourism Resort, Qinling Sibao Science Park, Louguantai National Forest Park, and Shuojing Platform, aims to raise awareness of Qinling ecological protection and the inheritance of traditional culture. It's meant to polish the golden signboard of Louguan as a cultural sanctuary and ecological treasure, and truly push the integrated development of Louguan's cultural tourism system to a new level.

To help visitors and city residents grasp a clearer picture of Louguan, I've revisited all the spots covered by the 55-yuan pass. Let me take you on a tour of the greater Louguan.

First Stop: Qinling National Botanical Garden

Currently the world's largest botanical garden in terms of planned area, with the clearest vertical distribution and the most natural landscape. During the National Day holiday, the garden will also host chrysanthemum welcome exhibitions and exquisite orchid shows – the floral displays are all set, waiting just for you.

Second Stop: Zhaogongming Cultural Scenic Area

This is a garden-style wealth culture display area built around fortune themes, ancient architecture, and landscape gardening. Grand ancient structures unfold in sequence, tightly arranged. Inside, sculptures, exhibits, and murals related to famous figures surnamed Zhao in Chinese history and the folk belief in civil and military Gods of Wealth offer a wonderful window into wealth culture.

During the holiday, the scenic area will also hold an "Intangible Cultural Heritage Fortune-Invoking Ceremony" and gather delicious Zhouzhi snacks – a perfect refueling station as you tour the grand Louguan. One reminder: hidden here is also a God of Wealth Folk Culture Museum. It's a richly informative, interactive multimedia museum blending folk customs of the wealth god – well worth a visit, so don't miss it.

Third Stop: Zongsheng Palace

Zongsheng Palace is where Yin Xi once built a thatched tower to observe the stars at night, also known as Caolouguan, the very origin of ancient Louguan. Over 2,500 years ago, when Yin Xi welcomed Laozi into Louguan, Zongsheng Palace was the first stop. Today, it preserves Ziyun Tower, Sanying Cypress, Xiniu Cypress, a ginkgo tree planted by Laozi himself, and numerous ancient steles and stone carvings. It's the first place to understand ancient Louguan and seek the profound Dao.

A warm tip: make sure to visit that over-2,580-year-old ginkgo tree personally planted by Laozi. Every autumn, this ancient tree becomes the most stunning sight at the foot of Mount Zhongnan. It renews its greenery year after year, shining through the seasons, having stood for more than 2,500 years through history. A fire once hollowed out its core, yet it still thrives on nutrients from just a few thick bark layers, growing into an awe-inspiring form and being named one of the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Ancient Ginkgo Trees in China" by the State Forestry Administration.

Fourth Stop: Laozi's Light and Shadow Exhibition Hall

Situated east of the grand archway in Zhongnanshan Ancient Louguan Scenic Area, this is a place where light, shadow, and animation bring Laozi's Tao Te Ching to life. It's a spot where time slows down, much loved by children. From simple beginnings, profound truths are understood – right here.

Fifth Stop: Zhongnanshan Ancient Louguan Scenic Area

This is the core engine of the Xi'an Louguan Chinese Dao Culture Exhibition Area. The magnificent ancient complex climbs the mountain, its layout fully utilizing the terrain's natural slope from south to north. The axis is divided by Taiqing Gate, Shangqing Gate, and Yuqing Gate to form the Daoist "Three Pure Saints Realm." Nine courtyard spaces unfold with central halls as nodes, fully displaying the grandeur of the "Source of Dao and Capital of Immortals," earning it the nickname "the Little Forbidden City" of Shaanxi.

Sixth Stop: Qinling Sibao Science Park

Expanded from the Shaanxi Rare Animal Rescue Base, this park focuses on the "Qinling Four Treasures" – the giant panda, golden monkey, takin, and crested ibis – allowing people to see these iconic animals without traveling far. Not to be missed is the world's only captive gray giant panda, Qizai, who has become a center of attention.

The park is also home to over 20 species and more than 100 rare wild animals native to the Qinling region, including red pandas, black bears, muntjac deer, gorals, golden eagles, long-eared owls, eagle owls, red-footed falcons, vultures, and golden pheasants. It's a paradise for both adults and children to interact with wildlife. During the National Day holiday, a joyful forest sports carnival will double your fun.

Seventh Stop: Huanvquan

A short distance west of Qinling Sibao Science Park lies Huanvquan.

Built around the historical tale of Laozi enlightening his disciple Xu Jia, Huanvquan is an experiential destination blending feminine culture, spring water culture, and tea culture. Pavilions and towers nestle against the hillside, offering gorgeous scenery – an ideal spot for leisurely tea breaks.

Eighth Stop: Yanshengguan

"The immortal of Yuzhen, she often visits Taihua peak. In the morning she beats heavenly drums, swirling twin dragons rise. She weaves lightning without pause, clouds trail her form, untethered. When will she enter Shaoshi? The Queen Mother surely will meet her there." This poem, written by the Poet Immortal Li Bai for Princess Yuzhen at Yanshengguan, uses metaphor to praise her celestial grace. It was also part of Li Bai's own "shortcut to fame" – later, Princess Yuzhen indeed recommended him to Emperor Ming of Tang.

Yanshengguan was actually built by Princess Yuzhen in memory of her mother, while its name also carries the wish for universal longevity. It was renovated and expanded in the Song Dynasty and still flourished in the Ming period. Throughout the ages, many literati have visited; now, it awaits you...

Qinling's autumn scenery peaks at Mount Zhongnan, and the most beautiful spot on Mount Zhongnan is Louguan.

The "Number One Blessed Place Under Heaven" Qinling Louguan Autumn Tourism Festival has already begun. Climb high, admire flowers, encounter national treasures, recite classics, pick fruit, and wander this blessed land. Roam the Qinling autumn hues, and sense the Dao that follows nature. Come, let's check in for the most beautiful autumn colors of Qinling – join the fun!