Huayin County, a historic and cultural city at the foot of Mount Hua

I stayed in Huayin County last night, which was the last stop on my journey home. Huayin County is located at the foot of Mount Hua, 120 kilometers away from the ancient capital Xi'an, and is known as the 'key route of Shaanxi and the thoroughfare of eight provinces.' The terrain of Huayin County is high in the south and low in the north, with picturesque mountains and rivers. It was historically said to be 'the most scenic in Guanzhong region due to its mountain and river landscapes.' 'Established as a town in the Spring and Autumn period, and as a county during the Warring States period,' Huayin County was one of the first counties established in China, with a history of over 2300 years. In December 1990, it was approved by the State Council to revoke the county and establish a city. Now, Huayin County should be called Huayin City. To me, a foreigner, it doesn't matter whether it's a county or a city, or what it's called. What I care about is its history, culture, and scenic spots. Speaking of scenic spots, of course, it refers to Mount Hua. Mount Hua, historically known as 'Xiyue' and elegantly called 'Taihua Mountain,' is one of the Five Great Mountains of China, located within the territory of Huayin City. It connects to the Qinling Mountains in the south and overlooks the Yellow River and Wei River in the north. Since ancient times, it has been known as 'the most precipitous mountain under heaven.' I was just passing by this time and didn't have time to climb the mountain, but I hope to visit it specifically in the future. In terms of historical and cultural aspects, the ancient Xiyue Temple is a representative. Xiyue Temple is a sacred site of the mainstream Quanzhen School of Taoism. In the first year of Yuanguang of the Western Han Dynasty (134 BC), the Jiling Palace was built at the mouth of Huangfu Valley. It was relocated to its current location during the Eastern Han Dynasty, later renamed Xiyue Temple, and became an important site for emperors to worship the god of Mount Hua. The temple complex is grand, and there are many inscriptions within it. The existing inscriptions include the 'Huayue Temple Stele' from the Later Zhou Dynasty, the 'Tang Xuanzong's Imperial Inscription of Mount Hua Stele' re-engraved in the Ming Dynasty, the 'Mount Hua Reclining Map' engraved in the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, with poems and paintings of Mount Hua by famous Tang and Song personalities such as Wang Wei, Li Bai, Du Fu, and Chen Tuan attached at the beginning of the map, as well as the stone plaque inscribed with 'Yue Lian Ling Shu' by Emperor Qianlong, all of which are of immense value. Experts and scholars with a profound background in ancient culture and familiar with inscriptions and steles can come and take a look. Well, it's time to say goodbye to Huayin. Once I pass the Hangu Pass ahead, I will be back in my hometown in Henan, and my heart is already racing home.