A panoramic view of Niushou Mountain. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Zijin Mountain

Zijin's peak rises about 450 meters above sea level－downtown. Locals believe it purges pollution and endows the settlement with a "masculine" character. Its summit is a highpoint of Buddhist pilgrimage, ancient culture and serene scenery.

Xiaoling Tomb

The mausoleum of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) emperor Zhu Yuanzhang sits at Zijin Mountain's base.

It's one of the country's largest imperial burial sites and marks a zenith of Ming architecture and stone-carving. The symmetrical sprawl of pavilions, archways and rock inscriptions was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.