Qínlǐngshān

The Qinling Mountains rise south of the Wei River plain, their ridges separating Guanzhong from the Han River country. Near Zhouzhi the range climbs toward Mount Taibai, the highest summit of the Qinling. Streams descend through steep northern valleys to the plain, while forests cover the higher slopes. The mountains have long formed a formidable barrier, crossed by a few routes following river gorges and difficult passes.