Alpine Pasture in the Depths of the Qinling Mountains｜So Healing
Poetic and picturesque alpine pasture, every frame is so healing!
You must get up at 6 o'clock to feel such a wonderful time,
Dreamy scenery, it is glowing, it is quiet✨...
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Foraging cattle and sheep🐏, running horses
Birds flying across the sky, golden larch🍂
Meadows full of dew
Red, orange, yellow, and green colors
And the freedom of being free-range!
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This is the "Little Altay" deep in the Qinling Mountains!
FitnessFreaksUnite
Two days in Liuba! Encounter the beautiful autumn scenery of the Qinling Mountains.
Visit Liuba for two days and enjoy the stunning autumn scenery!
Liuba is like a bright pearl in the Qinling Mountains in autumn. "When you reach the end of the water, sit and watch the clouds rise." Here, you can feel the happiness of autumn.
You can drive or walk to enjoy the wonderful autumn scenery of Liuba.
Recommended attractions:
Gaojiang Road, a famous "most beautiful mountain village road." The autumn wind dyes the metasequoia along the road in colorful colors, red and yellow. The magnificence of the Qinling Mountains is on full display here, with mountains like paintings and forests dyed in layers. It is very suitable for stopping and taking aerial photos to enjoy autumn from a unique angle.
Zhang Liang Temple of the Western Han Dynasty, originally called Liuba, was renamed after Zhang Liang. Zhang Liang Temple has a history of 1,800 years, with many stone tablets and ancient trees.
Zibai Mountain, one of the three famous mountains in Shaanxi, is where Zhang Liang retired, and it is also home to the largest sky meadow in Asia. The Lover's Valley at the foot of the mountain is romantic and leisurely, with clear skies and metasequoia reflecting each other. Walking among them, you can hear the poetic sounds of autumn everywhere.
Shizigou Ranch, a natural alpine meadow ranch. The grandeur of the Qinling Mountains is transformed into pastoral poetry here, with flowing water, people, and herds of cattle and sheep, living in harmony with nature.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart from Xi'an, head to Liuba Ancient Town, then go to Shizigou Ranch and Lover's Valley.
PenShoeRainBooks
A beautiful and popular photo spot: Hanzhong Milk Lake.
Located at the foot of Zibai Mountain in Hanzhong, Shizigou Ranch is said to be the place where Zhuge Liang camped and trained his soldiers. Here lies a beautiful and popular photo spot - Milk Lake, surrounded by open grasslands and beautiful mountain streams.
The lake water comes from the mountain rock layers and is rich in minerals. The formation of the "Milk Lake" is due to rainwater washing away the white calcium sulfate deposits, forming a unique color that gives visitors a visual beauty, especially when the sunlight shines on it, presenting a charming ice blue color, like a natural palette. In addition, the water level of Milk Lake is greatly affected by the weather, and it only starts to store water after heavy rain. The best time to visit is about ten days after the lake is full.
William@789 Ward
Hanzhong Shizigou Ranch | Shaanxi's Altay.
|Shaanxi's Altay. Hanzhong Shizigou Ranch is located in the natural grassland of Yingpan Village, Liuhou Town, Liuba County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province. It is a flat grassland between two mountains. Historically, this area was used as a place for raising horses during Zhuge Liang's six expeditions to Qishan to attack Wei. In recent years, Shizigou Ranch has gradually become a tourist attraction due to its grassland scenery.
🎫Tickets: Free
🌿Activities: As soon as you enter the ranch, you can see herds of cattle and sheep grazing leisurely, and you can take close-up photos. Stroll along the paths in the ranch, breathing in the fresh air with the scent of grass, and feel your body and mind purified. There are many small wildflowers around, adding a splash of color. You can also bring a picnic mat and snacks to enjoy a relaxing picnic on the grass.
👗Outfit: It is recommended to wear light-colored clothes, such as a white dress, which looks great against the grass background, and pair it with a small straw hat.
☀Note: It is best to visit on a sunny day. There are many mosquitoes and insects on the ranch, so you can bring mosquito repellent.
📍Address: Navigate directly to Liuba Shizigou Ranch. Shizigou Ranch
🚗Transportation: Driving is the most convenient, and the scenery along the way is beautiful. If you take public transportation, you can go to Liuba County first, then take a taxi or ask about local buses to get there.
Foster_71*Noah
Just got back! Liuba! 2 days and 1 night of hidden gems (less crowded version).
Back to Liuba again
This time with a few friends to enjoy the autumn
Having been here many times
This time we just wanted to relax
And discovered some unconventional hidden gems
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❗As usual, here's the itinerary:
✅DAY1: Depart from Xi'an - 3.5h drive - Liuba - Stroll and eat on the old street - Huoshaodian Town - Check in at Xigu Jiudu · Tianye - Relax in Huoshaodian Town & stargazing at night, stay overnight at Xigu Jiudu · Tianye B&B
✅DAY2: Breakfast at the B&B - Zibai Mountain - Lovers' Valley - Shizigou Ranch - Return
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📷Activities:
🌈The whole two-day trip was very relaxing. On the first day, we arrived in Liuba and went to the old street to stroll and eat; then we went to the B&B to check in. This time we stayed at 📍Xigu Jiudu · Tianye B&B in Huoshaodian Town, the "Most Beautiful Town in the Qinling Mountains". This town has relatively few tourists, and the scenery is beautiful and very quiet.
🍂In the afternoon, we took photos and strolled around the town, enjoying the colorful mountains, the idyllic scenery of streams, rice fields, houses, cattle, and sheep, and the red train 🚂 that circles the town. It only costs 5 yuan to take a ride. After a tiring walk, we went back to the B&B to relax, which was super comfortable.
✨There is also an observatory in the village, where you can see the stars and the Milky Way when the weather is good.
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💤The second day was also very leisurely. We woke up naturally, had breakfast at the B&B, and then went to Zibai Mountain, Lovers' Valley, and Shizigou Ranch. These three attractions are very close to each other, so we had plenty of time to explore. Compared to the first day, there were a lot more tourists in 💕Lovers' Valley and Shizigou Ranch, but the photos were really great.
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🏡Accommodation: We stayed at Xigu Jiudu · Tianye B&B, which we highly recommend. In fact, it was because we booked this B&B that we had such a relaxing first day in Huoshaodian Town.
🔅Xigu Jiudu · Tianye B&B is backed by mountains and water, and all rooms have large floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a panoramic view of the colorful Qinling Mountains. The interior is forest-themed, with simple yet tasteful furnishings, reflecting the owner's care and taste. Oh, and the restaurant is also quite good.
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🍱Food: The local specialty is wooden barrel fish. Some highly rated specialty restaurants: Zhenghong Wooden Barrel Fish, Chenji Stone Fish, Yuxiaomei Pan-fried Fish, Jushangrenjia Pig Stomach Chicken, Zibai Niang Family Courtyard Restaurant.
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🍁Best time to see red leaves: Now is the best time to see red leaves, and it is expected to last until mid-November. If you want to see the red leaves, hurry up!
BibSOUL
Shaanxi Little Altay - Liuba Shizigou Pasture Travel Guide
Hanzhong Liuba Shizigou Pasture is located in Yingpan Village, Liuhou Town, Liuba County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province. It is a natural pasture hidden deep in the Qinling Mountains. Not only is the scenery picturesque, but it also carries a rich history, being the place where the Shu army trained and raised horses during the Three Kingdoms period. Under the blue sky and white clouds, the green grass is like a carpet, wildflowers are fragrant, and cattle and sheep are in herds, like a paradise on earth.
🚘Transportation Guide: Departing from Hanzhong city center, it takes about two hours by car to reach.
🧭Navigation Address: Shizigou Pasture, Yingpan Village, Liuhou Town, Liuba County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province
⏰Opening Hours: Shizigou Pasture is open all day, no tickets are required, making it an excellent free place to visit.
🛝Play Time: Recommended 1-2 hours
🏠Accommodation and Dining: You can stay in the nearby Yingpan Village, a 5-minute drive away, with both homestays and star-rated hotels available. There is also a youth football training base nearby, and the village has been beautifully renovated.
Scenic Area Facilities: Adequate mobile signal, signage, and toilets are complete. Vehicles can park by the roadside (there is a dedicated parking lot in the distance, but it is too small and far away). There are a few horseback riding, archery, and Hanfu photography experience projects run by nearby villagers.
🚨Highlights
Natural Scenery: Grassland Scenery: The endless grassland, lush green grass, dotted with wildflowers, makes you feel like you are in the vast grasslands of Inner Mongolia.
Mountain Streams: The mountain stream beside the pasture is crystal clear, and the water appears ice blue under the sunlight due to the high mineral content, making it an excellent spot for photos.
Blue Sky and White Clouds: Under the blue sky and white clouds, the grassland and green mountains complement each other, forming a beautiful picture.
Historical Relics: Scattered throughout the pasture are giant stone relics with holes chiseled into them, said to be used by the Shu army to tie horses. These relics bear witness to the vicissitudes of history, sparking endless imagination.
Animal Interaction: Herds of cattle and sheep roam the grassland, allowing visitors to observe these leisurely foraging creatures up close and feel the harmony and tranquility of nature.
Abigail McPherson67
Sharing a niche travel guide
Last weekend, I went to Shizigou with friends‼️ Fell in love instantly. 📍About Zibaishan
Located in Liuba County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province. Zibaishan is famous for its unique sinkholes and the grassland on the mountain top, known as the 'No.1 Grassland Group in Asia'. It is one of the three famous mountains in Shaanxi, along with Huashan and Lishan, and has the saying 'Once you've seen Zibaishan, no other grassland will impress you'.
🎫Ticket + Cable Car: 80/person
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📍About Zhangliang Temple
Located in Liuba County, Hanzhong City, at the foot of Zibaishan. The nine courtyards are arranged in an orderly manner, with attractions such as the archway, Jinlü Bridge, Sanqing Hall Courtyard, Main Hall Courtyard, Baishi Pavilion, Xixin Pool, and Cloud Ladder, offering a deep sense of cultural history.
🎫Ticket: 50/person
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📍About Shizigou Pasture
Located in Liuba County, Hanzhong City. There are no high-rise buildings, just endless grassland slopes, with leisurely sheep and cattle, like paintings coming to life. It's known as the 'Little Switzerland' of Liuba.
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🐑Travel Recommendation: Zibaishan & Shizigou Pasture Two-Day Tour
📝Itinerary
D1: Depart from Xi'an—Zhangliang Temple—Liuba Old Street
D2: Breakfast—Zibaishan—Shizigou Pasture
📅Tour Dates: Thursdays and Saturdays
💰Cost Includes: Accommodation + 1 Breakfast + Round-trip Scenic Area Transportation + Guide Service + Travel Insurance
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💓Travel Tips
⛰️Zibaishan
🌱The alpine meadows have wooden steps, making the climb not too difficult, suitable for beginners and families. However, there are no roads up the mountain, so you must take a cable car.
🌱Zibaishan is majestic and spectacular, with many ancient purple cypress trees. The vegetation is lush and verdant; the mountain top is shrouded in mist, with streams flowing below, creating picturesque scenery.
⛩️Zhangliang Temple
The backyard has a bamboo forest, where in spring, you can see the unique 'bent then straight' bamboo shoots, known as 'Guai Guai Bamboo'. The dense bamboo forest is perfect for taking photos in traditional Hanfu, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere.
🏞Shizigou Pasture
You can see cows, sheep, and pigs in the pasture, and you can also ride horses and feed the sheep. The scenery is beautiful, with natural filters, no need for editing, the original photos are stunning.
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🎨Travel Tips
▪️It's windy on Zibaishan, so bring a jacket.
▪️Shizigou Pasture has little shade, so it's quite sunny when the sun is out, remember to protect yourself from the sun🕶.
▪️There are many mosquitoes in the mountains, so bring insect repellent, and watch out for cow dung in Shizigou.
Nova~Reed
Gannan Trip—Return Journey
On the way back to Xi'an, I planned to include two places as transit stops.
First stop: Qingshucun Ancient Town, a town with rich historical culture, known as the place where 'one foot steps into three provinces,' i.e., the junction of Shaanxi, Gansu, and Sichuan provinces. It was founded in the mid-Ming Dynasty, took shape in the late Qing Dynasty, and flourished during the Republic of China era, with a history of over 500 years.
I have visited many ancient towns, each with its own historical accumulation. Understanding the local history, culture, and humanity, traveling is also a learning process.
Second stop: Liuba County. It happened to be the weekend, and there were many tourists. Kudos to the local government for arranging dedicated personnel to provide convenient parking for tourists. The old street, Lover's Valley, and Shizigou Ranch are all recommended places online. I think the most beautiful rural road is still worth seeing in autumn. In the old street, there is a braised beef noodle shop with generous portions and good taste. After a satisfying meal, I embarked on the journey back home.
GARRETT OSBORNE
This is the best hidden gem town around Xi'an for summer escape|||
|||. Summer Escape Secret Revealed! Liuba, a small town around Xi'an, is the perfect choice for a cool summer.
In the scorching summer, escaping the heat of Xi'an, Liuba, known as the 'Little Altay of Shaanxi,' is undoubtedly the best summer resort. The ancient charm of the old street, the vastness of Shizigou, the mystery of Milk Lake, the greenery of the Metasequoia forest... Every place is mesmerizing. Today, let's step into this hidden gem town and explore its 2-day-1-night and 3-day-2-night summer escape trips.
【2-Day-1-Night Essence Tour】
Starting from Xi'an, drive to Liuba, passing through the Jiangxi Camp Toll Station, embarking on the journey known as the 'most beautiful rural road.' The scenery along the way is picturesque, as if you are in a moving painting. Upon arrival, you might first visit Shizigou Ranch to feel the vastness and freedom of the grassland. The morning sun shines on the meadow, everything seems so peaceful and beautiful. In the afternoon, head to Lover's Valley, where the Metasequoia forest is even greener in summer, the creek murmurs, and the camping platform awaits you, easily capturing summer blockbuster photos. In the evening, stroll along Gaojiang Road, with Metasequoia trees on both sides like guardians, shading you from the sun, recording this unforgettable journey.
【3-Day-2-Night Deep Tour】
If you want to experience the charm of Liuba more deeply, you might choose a 3-day-2-night itinerary. On the first day, start from Xi'an, after arriving in Liuba, first stroll around the old street of Liuba, feeling the simplicity and tranquility. Then head to Zhangliang Temple to explore the historical footprints. In the evening, visit Shizigou Ranch again to enjoy the sunset beauty of the grassland. On the second day, head to Zibaishan to feel the magic of nature, and the tranquility and simplicity of Yuhuang Temple Town should not be missed. In the afternoon, continue along Gaojiang Road, the scenery along the way will surely make you linger. On the third day, you might stay a little longer in Liuba, enjoying the leisurely time at Daoban Inn. The small courtyard is surrounded by Metasequoia, as if you are in a paradise. Auntie's Shaanxi Southern cuisine is even more memorable, putting a perfect end to this trip.
【Travel Tips】
Shizigou Ranch: It is recommended to go in the morning to avoid the peak crowd. On sunny days, be sure to take sun protection measures, as there are no shelters on the meadow, making it easy to get sunburned.
Lover's Valley: The Metasequoia forest in summer is an excellent place for photography, and the camping platform by the creek is a good choice for overnight camping. The scenic area is not large, you can return after crossing the suspension bridge.
Gaojiang Road: The essence of this route is near 'Shimen,' where several neat Metasequoia trees stand by the road, very suitable for taking photos.
【Accommodation Recommendation】
Daoban Inn is one of the accommodation choices not to be missed in Liuba. The small courtyard is shrouded in Metasequoia, the environment is quiet, very suitable for family vacations. The clear river beside the homestay is a good place for children to play in summer. More worth mentioning is Auntie's Shaanxi Southern cuisine, which is unforgettable.
This summer, let's step into Liuba, this hidden gem town, and feel the coolness and tranquility from nature!
LunaDreamer
A paradise like something out of a fairy tale
Liu Ba Lion Ditch Ranch | A paradise like something out of a fairy tale
After staying in the city for a long time, one always yearns for the countryside and natural scenery. This place really feels like a scene from a fairy tale, without the noise of the city, only the most primitive state of nature! Surrounded by mountains, shaded by green trees, the cattle and sheep graze leisurely on the grassland...
Because it's a high mountain ranch, it feels very close to the sky, and the clouds seem within reach. I'm really surprised that the water here is the color of milk, and it seems to glow in the sunlight, so beautiful...
The ranch is not very big, but it's very photogenic, and children can run around freely! The beauty of Lion Ditch Ranch lies in its authenticity and purity, without too much artificial carving and commercial atmosphere, so there's no need to complain about the lack of services and cow dung everywhere, because this is its most original state. Just enjoy this paradise, after all, such pure places are becoming increasingly rare...
Navigation: Liu Ba Lion Ditch Ranch
Accommodation: Liu Ba County Town or the old street are both fine
Precautions: The ultraviolet rays are quite strong in the high mountain ranch, so be sure to do a good job of sun protection
lucieneverhart91
A fairytale-like paradise
After staying in the city for a long time, there is always a longing for the countryside and natural scenery. This place really seems like a scene out of a fairytale, without the hustle and bustle of the city, only the most primitive appearance of nature! Surrounded by mountains, shaded by green trees, cows and sheep graze leisurely on the grassland...
Because it is a high mountain pasture, it feels very close to the sky, and the clouds seem within reach. I am really amazed that the water here is the color of milk, and when the sunlight shines on it, it feels like it's glowing, so beautiful...
The entire pasture is not very big, but it is very photogenic, and children can also run around freely! The beauty of the Lion's Gully Ranch lies in its authenticity and purity, without too much artificial carving and commercial atmosphere, so there is no need to complain about the lack of service and cow dung everywhere, because this is its most original appearance. Just enjoy this paradise, after all, pure places are becoming rarer and rarer nowadays.
rissolesowl
Deep in the Qinling Mountains, there is a pasture known as 'Little Yili', which is accessible by car for camping
Deep in the Qinling Mountains, there is a pasture known as 'Little Yili', located in Yingpan Village, Liuhou Town, about 35 kilometers from the county town. It is said that this place was where Zhuge Liang stationed his troops and raised horses during his six expeditions to Qishan.🍃
The Shizi Gou Pasture is situated between Taizi Ling and Zibai Mountain, with abundant tourist resources in the vicinity. Along the way, you can choose to visit attractions such as Taizi Ling, Zibai Mountain, and Zhang Liang Temple. By navigating to Shizi Gou Pasture by car🚗, you can arrive directly.
The pasture is right next to the highway, down a large slope, and is a small pasture with a stream beside it. It is an original high-mountain pasture, consisting of a valley and grassland, surrounded by mountains, like a paradise isolated from the world.
Nearby, the leisurely cows, horses, and sheep🐏 either graze peacefully🌿 or frolic and approach people amicably. You can also try feeding them and interact.
Here, breathing the fresh air, basking in the sunshine, and feeling the peacefulness of time, one can feel relaxed and joyful. Not far from Shizi Gou Pasture, there are also clusters of homestays with good environment and multiple choices, where you can also stay.
📍Location: Shizi Gou Pasture (no charge)
✨Additionally, the second Qinling Kite Festival has already begun. With the breeze carrying paper kites, soaring into the blue sky, kite enthusiasts from all over are welcome to gather and showcase the unique charm of kites.
🕐Time: March 30th to June 1st (every Saturday)
📍Navigation: Yingpan Village
RoamingReveries
Qinling Secret Land Red Leaves Feast
The late autumn in Liuba🍁 is beautiful in different ways
The colorful forest of larch, red maple, and ginkgo, layer upon layer, fills the sky like clouds, and is as dazzling as an oil painting spread out on the earth.
Wearing it and walking through the Valley of Lovers, you feel like you are transforming into a fairy in autumn, showing off your aura as if you are dancing in a fairy palace.
When you come to Shizigou Ranch, there are cattle and sheep everywhere. Playing with them makes you forget the worries of work and study on weekdays~
Once you have seen the beauty of Liuba, you will never bear to miss it again
KADEN BALDWIN
This is not Switzerland, this is the Lion Gorge Ranch in Liuba, Shaanxi
Hanzhong Lion Gorge Ranch, located in the natural grassland of Yingpan Village, Liuhou Town, Liuba County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province, is a flat grassland between two mountains, and was once the place where Zhuge Liang stationed troops and raised horses during his six expeditions to Qishan against Wei.
Lion Gorge Ranch