Hanzhong | Day 4

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We got up early today, as a driver was scheduled to pick us up shortly after breakfast. We opted for the hotel buffet again, keeping things quick and easy.

Our driver arrived on time and took us to Longtou Mountain, a well-known scenic spot just outside Hanzhong. Longtou Mountain, which means “Dragon Head Mountain,” is part of the Qinling mountain range. It is famous for its dramatic cliffs and mist-covered peaks, offering stunning views when the weather cooperates. The mountain is also home to a number of important religious and cultural sites, with temples and shrines scattered across its trails.

Upon arriving, we were greeted by a thick layer of cloud that completely shrouded the mountain. We decided to take the cable car up, which ascends a very steep route along the cliffs. The ride itself was a highlight—the cable car climbed quickly over sheer rock faces, offering breathtaking views. Halfway up the mountain, the clouds began to break, giving us fantastic glimpses of the surrounding scenery through the windows of the cable car cabin.

At the top of the cable car, however, the cloud cover resumed. We found ourselves surrounded by a thick, misty atmosphere, and took an outdoor escalator—an unusual feature at this altitude—up to the summit area, which stands around 2,100 meters above sea level. The entire area was blanketed in cloud, and the wind blew cold gusts of air intermittently.

We initially set out to walk the summit loop trail, which was supposed to take around three hours, but between the cold air and the lack of visibility, we decided to cut the hike short. There was little point in continuing with little to no view and the mist thickening as we went. We’ll have to attempt this hike again on a clearer day.

After descending the mountain, we met back up with our driver, who drove us back to the city. He dropped us off at 肖氏面馆, the noodle shop we’d enjoyed the day before, where we had a late but satisfying lunch. The handmade noodles were great.

After lunch, we returned to the hotel to rest and warm up.