Qin Ling

Qin Ling, more commonly called the Qinling or Qín Mountains, is a major east-west mountain range in central China that forms a climatic and ecological divide between northern and southern China. The range has substantial biodiversity and contains several high peaks and protected areas.

The mountains include Mount Taibai, the highest summit in the range, and support temperate forests, alpine meadows and a range of endemic species. Qinling plays an important role in regional hydrology, feeding rivers that flow north and south from its ridges.

Historically the range has formed a natural frontier and influenced settlement, transportation and cultural development across central China. Many parts of the range are protected by provincial and national parks and are used for hiking, research and conservation.

Stretching across several provinces including Shaanxi, the Qinling range lies south of the Yellow River and north of the Yangtze catchment, forming a broad band of highlands across central China.

• Ecological significance: The Qinling range marks a major north-south ecological boundary in China and hosts diverse flora and fauna distinct from the regions to its north and south.

What to See #

• Mount Taibai: Mount Taibai is the highest and most prominent peak within the Qinling range, located in Shaanxi province and often treated as the range's climatic and ecological divide.