According to an issue of Chinese National Geography on Nov. 10, 2009, the top ten "unknown" mountains in China are Liucailing in Hunan, Chuandiding in Guangdong, Jiuding Mountain in Sichuan, Zhagana Mountain in Gansu, Wugong Mountain in Jiangxi, Xiaowutai Mountain in Hebei, Ao Mountain in Shaanxi, Haituo Mountain in Beijing, Xueling in Yunan and Foding Mountain in Guizhou.
1. Jiucailing
Altitude: 2,009 m
Location: Jiucailing is located on the border of Guangxi and western Dao County of Hunan province.
Comment: Jiucailing, with an altitude of 2,009 m, is the highest peak of Dupangling. It combines an original environment and the rich culture of the Yao ethnic minority group into one. It is also privy to an abundant source of outdoor tourism and is famous for its high-intensity walking route. It is known as the K2 (Qogir Feng, the second highest peak in the world) of Hunan.
2. Chuandiding Mountain
Altitude: 1,586 m
Location: Chuandiding is located in Luokeng Town, Qujiang District, Shaoguan City.
Comment: Located on the border of Yinde of Guangdong province and Qujiang, Chuandiding belongs to the southern branch of the Nanling Mountains. It has an altitude of 1,586 m, which is the second highest peak of Guangdong. Chuandiding has various kinds of geomorphologic landscapes, including bamboo groves, grasslands, brooks, wetlands, cliff and boulder pavements, and so on. It is known as the pinnacle for self-challenging by Guangdong hikers.
3. Jiuding Mountain
Altitude: 4,984 m
Location: Jiuding Mountain is located in Abamao County, which belongs to Longmen Mountains of the Min Mountain Range in Sichuan Province.
Comment: Jiudingshan is famous for its attractive peaks, trees, snowy mountains, valleys, meadows, lakes and rich culture of the Jie and Qiang, ancient nationalities of China. It is not only a masterpiece of nature, but also a paradise for hikers.
4. Zhagana Mountain
Altitude: 3,970 m
Location: It is located in Yiwa Village, Diebu County, Gansu Province and belongs to the Dieshan Mountains.
Comment: Zhagana Mountain owns precipitous mountain geography as well as splendid landscapes. Even though it was claimed to be the birth place for Adam and Eve according to explorer and geographer Jospeh Rock less than a hundred years ago, it still remains virgin territory.
5. Wu-kung Mountains
Altitude: 1,918.3 m
Location: Wu-kung Mountains is located in the west part of Jiangxi, which belongs to the north section of the Luoxiao Mountains.
Comment: Wu-kung Mountains is called the "Top Outdoor Sports Paradise in the South River Area" because of its heavy cultural heritage, large scale of mountains and meadows, and large numbers of falls and brooks.
6. Xiaowutai Mountain
Altitude: 2,882 m
Location: Located in Hebei Province, Xiaowutai Mountain is the highest peak of the Taihang Mountains.
Comment: Xiaowutai Mountain is a provincial natural reserve that contains various kinds of biological species, rare animals, plants and resources, complex ecosystems, varied topography, and heavy cultural heritage. The mountain is an area of concentration for hikers who come from northern China, as well as an ideal tourist location for amateur climbers.
7. Ao Mountain
Altitude: 3,475 m
Location: Ao Mountain is located in the middle of the Qinling Mountains in Taibai County, Shanxi Province.
Comment: Ao Mountain is the oldest area of the Qinling Mountains and is also one of the hardest routes for hiking.
8. Haituo Mountain
Altitude: 2,241 m
Location: Haituo Mountain is located on the border of Yanqing County of the Beijing Municipality and Chicheng County of Hebei Province.
Comment: Haituo Mountain is famous for its unique northern warm temperate zone and forest eco-system. It is the highest peak in northern Beijing. As it has varied landscape and a challenging tour route, it became a centralized area for hikers who love outdoor sports in the suburbs of Beijing.
9. Xueling
Altitude: 4,344 m
Location:It is located in the Dongchuan District of Kunming City, Yunnan Province.
Comment: It claims to be the "Highest Peak of Dian (Yunnan Province)" because of its stereoscopic climate features, glacial geography, countless azaleas and seven-color falls.
10. Foding Mountain
Altitude: 1,869.3 m
Location: It is located on the border of Shiqian County, Shibing County and Zhenyuan County of Guizhou Province.
Comment: It is the second highest mountain in Guizhou Province. It preserves a complete subtropical zone with an evergreen broadleaved forest, as well as Buddhist holy lands and the culture of the Gelo minority ethnic group.