Mount Heng of the Northern Yue

Mount Heng of the Northern Yue is located 10 kilometers south of Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province. It is a geographical landmark of China and a sacred site of the Quanzhen School of Taoism. The Hengshan mountain range is known for its majestic and perilous terrain, stretching across the northern frontier. It connects with Yanmen Pass in the west, spans the Taihang Mountains in the east, shields the Three Jin regions in the south, and overlooks the Yan and Yun regions in the north. The mountain peaks extend continuously, undulating for 250 kilometers, with 108 magnificent peaks. Originally, the Northern Yue referred to Damao Mountain in Quyang, Hebei Province. However, during the Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, the capital was established in Beijing, China. Since Damao Mountain in Quyang, Hebei, was south of the capital, it did not align with the name Northern Yue. On the other hand, the main peak of Hengshan in Hunyuan, Shanxi, Tianfeng Ridge, is located north of the capital. Therefore, during the Ming Dynasty, Hengshan in Hunyuan, Shanxi, was renamed Northern Yue. However, due to the long distance, the sacrificial ceremonies continued to be held at Damao Mountain in Quyang. It was not until 1661 that the sacrificial ceremonies were moved to Hunyuan, Shanxi, making Hengshan in Shanxi the true Northern Yue. The main peak of Mount Heng of the Northern Yue is divided into two peaks: the eastern Tianfeng Ridge and the western Cuiping Peak. The main peak, Tianfeng Ridge, has an elevation of 2016.1 meters and is known as the "Northern Pillar of Heaven" and "Famous Mountain of the Frontier." It is revered as the master of all northern mountains. Jinlong Gorge, located between the two peaks, is only about three zhang (approximately 10 meters) at its narrowest point and has been a strategic military location since ancient times. My tour route includes a round-trip cable car 🚠, taking a total of three and a half hours (including photo stops and stamping). There is a narrow section of the path that requires careful climbing.