Taibai Mountain

Taibai reaches 3,767 metres, the highest point of the Qinling, the range that separates the Yellow River basin from the Yangtze and functions as the climatic and biological divide between northern and southern China, with rainfall, vegetation and even household heating rules differing across it. The mountain rises through deciduous forest into conifer, birch and finally alpine scrub and bare rock, holding small glacial lakes near the summit, of which Daye Haizi is the best known. Snow lies on the top for much of the year, which is where the name, great white, comes from. Multi-day traverses cross the range.

What you actually see

• The summit ridge - the highest ground in the Qinling at 3,767 metres.
• The glacial lakes - small alpine tarns below the top, notably Daye Haizi.
• The vegetation zones - forest changing to conifer, birch and alpine scrub.
• The north-south divide - the range separating two halves of China.

When to go

June to September for the summit; snow closes the upper mountain for much of the year and the traverse routes are serious in bad weather. Even in summer, nights near the top are near freezing.

Honest expectations

The full traverse is a multi-day mountain walk needing preparation, not a day trip. The developed side reaches only partway up by shuttle and cable car. Weather changes fast and has caused fatalities.

Nearby

Baoji lies north; Xi'an is northeast.