Shangluo is the least-visited prefecture in Shaanxi, occupying the southeastern corner of the province where the Qinling and Funiu ranges converge. The terrain is extreme — deep river valleys, densely forested ridges, a landscape that has historically resisted both governance and tourism — and the result is a part of China where traditional village life has survived with unusual completeness, and where the natural scenery is spectacular without the accompanying crowds.
The Jinsi Grand Canyon, in Shang County, is a narrow gorge with clear water and red-walled cliffs that has been developed for domestic tourism but remains genuinely impressive. The Zhongnan Mountain area, on the boundary with Xi'an Prefecture, has been a refuge for Taoist hermits since the Tang Dynasty; the practice continues, and the mountains are dotted with hermitages at various degrees of accessibility. The Xiaoqinling Mountains in the north of the prefecture are a significant source of gold and have been mined since the Han Dynasty.
The local cuisine has a Shaanxi character modified by the mountain environment: preserved and dried vegetables, strong vinegar, lamb and pork dishes suited to the cold winters, and a variety of wild mushroom preparations that reflect the forest cover.
Shangluo is about two hours from Xi'an by bus on the G40 expressway. The prefecture does not have its own airport. Rail connections are improving, but the mountain terrain has historically made this one of the harder parts of Shaanxi to reach, which explains much of its character.