Pingdingshan Travel Guide
Pingdingshan Facts
Chinese Name: 平顶山市 (píng dǐng shān shì)
Population: 5,207,700
Area: 7,882 square kilometers (3,043 square miles)
Location: in the central region of Henan Province, east-central China
Administrative Division: 4 districts (Xinhua, Weidong, Zhanhe, Shilong); 4 counties (Baofeng, Jiaxian, Lushan Yexian); 2 county-level cities (Ruzhou, Wugang)
Area Code: 0375
Zip Code: 467000
GDP (2018): CNY 213.523 billion (USD 32.269 billion)
A Coal-Mine City with Rich Tourism Resources
Located in the central Henan Province, Pingdingshan neighbors Luoyang to the northwest, and the capital city Zhengzhou is 135 kilometers (84 miles) of road mileage from the city. In the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC - 771 BC), Pingdingshan was a vassal state named Ying State. This state used the eagle as a totem, so Pingdingshan is also called Eagle City. It has the largest coal field in central and southern China, with 10 billion tons of raw coal reserves. Pingdingshan is rich in tourism resources and the total number of scenic spots ranks second in Henan. Visitors are able to see the world's highest copper Buddha in Shiren Mountain, view stunning natural scenery and enjoy hot springs after a fulfilling visit. It also has many temples and preserves the ruins of official Ru Kilns and a county government office of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The 1,500-year old Wind Hole (Fengxue) Temple with 83 pagodas outside is a top attraction you cannot miss.
Pingdingshan Attractions - Things to Do
In ancient times, it was also known as Yaoshan Mountain, it is the top natural scenic area of the city west of Lushan County, gathering strange stones, waterfalls, springs, sea clouds, forests, rare animals and plants. Complementing the fascinating natural sceneries, the humanistic landscape is also a vital part of its scenic spectacularity.
It is situated 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) northeast of the Ruzhou City. It was first constructed by the Northern Wei in Northern and Southern Dynasty (420-581). The temple has experienced over 1,500 years boasting buildings from Tang (618-907) to Qing dynasties (1644-1911). Qizu Pagoda, Bell Tower and Buddha Hall are the core building of the temple. In addition, there is a pagoda forest consisting of 83 pagodas on the slop outside the temple, which is said to be a largest pagoda forest only second to that of Shaolin Temple.
Other Scenic Spots: Shimantan National Forest, Rizhou Hot Springs
How to get to Pingdingshan
The long-distance bus station of Pingdingshan is seated in No. 13, Kuanggong Road (Middle), and the passenger transport central station is located in No. 49, Zhongxing Road (South). The city does not have airport. Visitor should first go to the Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport. Usually, it will take one hour to Pingdingshan from downtown Zhengzhou by taxi after alighting from the plane, or it will cost about three hours by bus.
Also, passengers can first go to Nanyang Jiangying Airport. It often takes 2 hours and 15 minutes from downtown Nanyang to Pingdingshan by taxi, or it usually takes two hours by bus.
Weather
When to Go: spring and autumn
Pingdingshan Travel Tips
History: About eight thousand years ago, there area human settlers living in this region. It was the domain of the Ying and Jie tribes inhabited there before the Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC-221BC). During the Warring States Period (475BC-221BC), Pingdingshan was partly and successively belonging to several kingdoms. Through thousands years of development, the city has made a great pace since the large-scale exploitation of coal ore in the 1950s. Physical Features: Pingdingshan lies along the Funiu Mountains in the west, and links the spacious and flat Huanghuai Plain in the east. Therefore, the terrain of this city generally declined from east to west. Special Local Products: persimmon, tobacco leaf, Zisha (purple-clay) pottery, Lushan silk, Chinese gooseberry, monkey-head mushroom, Ru Porcelain