Xinglong Mountain National Nature Reserve locates at Yuzhong County, 60 kilometers away from Lanzhou City. The whole reserve covers for 33,300 hectares with the forest ecosystem type. The reserve focuses on protecting the wild animals and primitive spruce forests. Rising about 2,400 meters above sea level, Xinglong Mountain is covered with thick pine forests and scattered with Buddhism and Taoism temples.
Attractions at Xinglong Mountain
Xinglong Mountain has two main peaks, the eastern peak and the western peak. The eastern peak, Xinlong Peak, is 2400 meters high above sea level, while the western peak, Qiyun Peak, has the elevation of 2500 meters. Between the two peaks is the Xinglong Canyon with river running across. The Cloud Dragon Bridge stands above the canyon.
Yunlong Bridge is one of the landmarks of Xinglong Mountain. It is a gallery-style wooden arch bridge. The bridge is arched in wood, exquisitely, just like a rainbow crossing the mountain. The bridge is 155 meters long and 3 meters wide. The bridge was originally built in 1763, during the reign period of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), but then was damaged later. In 1900, it was rebuilt and renamed as "Yunlong Bridge."
Big Buddha Temple is one of the symbols of Xinglong Mountain. The colors of the temple are blue, red and green. It is divided into three large halls in the middle and two small halls on two sides. There are three spruces trees and five yurts inside the yard. In the main hall, people can see the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in the middle and the statue of Genghis Khan in front of it. Medicine Buddha is set on the left and Amitabha on the right.
Chiang Kai-shek once lived here at the foot of Xinglong Mountain. In 1942, in order to welcome Chiang Kai-shek to Lanzhou, the local government built an exquisite and unique villa for him. The House of Chiang Kai-shek contains a living room, waiting room, attendant room and conference room on the first floor. On the second floor, there is a conference room, a confidential room, a bedroom, a dressing room and a toilet. In August, 1943, Chiang Kai-shek, his wife Song Meiling and his henchmen stayed here for 6 days for the military meetings.