Hangu Pass Tourist Area, a 4A-level scenic area, is located in Hangu Pass Town, Lingbao City.
Hangu Pass, originally built during the Western Zhou Dynasty, is one of the earliest established strategic passes in China, commonly known as Qin Hangu Pass. Its name derives from the fact that "the pass is located in a valley, deep and treacherous like a box." Since ancient times, it has been a vital passage between the Central Plains and Guanzhong Plain, a strategically vital location fought over by military strategists.
Many well-known idioms and allusions originate from here, such as "purple aura coming from the east," "chicken crowing and dog thievery," and "a white horse is not a horse."
Hangu Pass is called "the First Pass Under Heaven" for a reason: firstly, it is older, predating Shanhaiguan and Jiayuguan by more than 2,000 years, a feat unmatched anywhere else in China; secondly, it has witnessed numerous battles, with over 200 battles that changed Chinese history taking place here. Among them, in May 1944, Chinese troops repelled multiple Japanese invasions here, effectively stopping the Japanese army outside the pass. Having witnessed 3,000 years of vicissitudes, Hangu Pass's historical significance is unparalleled.
The Guanlou (reconstructed) is a majestic and imposing gate tower in the Qin and Han styles (Figure 1). Passing through the gate tower behind it leads to the "Hanguan Ancient Road" (Figure 2).
The Taichu Sacred Palace is where Laozi wrote his classic text (Figure 3). When Laozi traveled west to this place, he was persuaded by the gatekeeper Yin Xi to stay for five months, where he wrote the 5,000-word *Tao Te Ching*, which has influenced the Chinese people for over 2,000 years. Therefore, this place is also known as the "Source of Taoism." The statue of Laozi (Figure 4) and the long stone wall inscribed with the *Tao Te Ching* (Figure 5) commemorate Laozi's outstanding contributions to Chinese culture.
The scenic area also preserves architectural and cultural relics such as the Chicken Crowing Terrace (Figure 6), the Stele Forest (Figure 7), and the Detang Hall (Figure 8).
Delightfully, besides the rich historical and cultural atmosphere that captivates visitors, a leisurely stroll along the Shangshan Lake in autumn is also a very pleasant way to relax (Figure 9).