Winter wonders on pristine peaks

Snow on show at Jinsi Canyon

Jinsi Grand Canyon on the Qinling range's southeastern side is covered with white snow in winter.

While the gorge offers gorgeous hikes year-round, its ravines, forests and waterfalls take on a more mysterious feel in winter, when it becomes especially captivating for photographers.

Icicles frame its landscapes like paintings. Roaring winds send snowflakes adrift. The snow's weight bends trees. Emerald ponds turn into silver plates and jade mirrors overnight.

The whole canyon is like a natural ice-sculpture exhibition hall.

Animals hibernate in caves in winter. On days when the wind doesn't howl and birds don't chirp, the valley is so silent that footsteps sound loud. The animals, including snakes, frogs and giant salamanders, hibernate.

Occasionally a bird chirps, as if to beckon spring. The grass sleeps under the thick quilt, dreaming of next year's blossoms.

Travelers who cross Wanmi Qixian, a section of the Jinsi canyon, can visit hospitable farmhouses and enjoy hot pot.

Those who make the journey will discover the Qinling Mountains truly conjure the magic of a winter wonderland, in every sense.

A well-preserved section of the Great Wall stands in the Jinsi Grand Canyon.

It features castle-like stone lodges built by the Chu kingdom to defend its borders during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).

Historical records show the Chu Great Wall is the earliest Great Wall built in China. It was constructed nearly 400 years before the Qin Great Wall.

If you go

It's a roughly three-hour ride from Xi'an to the Jinsi Grand Canyon. The site is open year-round.

Tickets: 92 yuan ($14)

Tickets hotline: (86) 914-656-6888

Wang Mengnan in Xi'an contributed to this story.