Pingliang

Pingliang is a laid-back city of mountains and rivers in eastern Gansu. It is home to Kongtong Mountain, known as “China’s foremost Taoist mountain,” and retains a strong Buddhist and Taoist heritage. Local prices are relatively affordable, making it suitable for a short trip of around three days.

• Kongtong Mountain: A national 5A-rated Taoist mountain where Danxia landforms, ancient buildings, and natural scenery come together. Huangcheng, the Stairway to Heaven, and Leisheng Peak are the main attractions. When the weather is right, you may also see a sea of clouds, making it a good place to photograph mountain scenery and historic architecture.

• Dayun Temple and Queen Mother Palace: Located in Jingchuan County. Buddhist relics were unearthed at Dayun Temple, while the Queen Mother Palace is a temple dedicated to Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West. Its red walls and ancient pagodas create a striking scene, making it a good place to learn about local religious culture and take cultural photographs.

• Liuhu Park: First built during the Northern Song dynasty, this garden has a history of more than 1,000 years. Its elegant, tranquil layout of “willows among the lake and a lake among the willows” is ideal for a stroll. The pavilion in the middle of the lake and the ancient willows are also good subjects for traditional garden photography.

• Pingliang Museum: A national first-class museum with free admission; closed on Mondays. Its collections include Buddhist relics from Jingchuan and Han dynasty artifacts, offering an overview of Pingliang’s 5,000-year history and culture.

• Kongtong Ancient Town: Located at the foot of Kongtong Mountain, this district retains a simple, traditional architectural style. You can browse handicraft shops, try northwestern snacks, and enjoy a pleasant atmosphere in the evening.

A 3-day, 2-night itinerary without backtracking

• Day 1: Arrive in Pingliang and explore the city
  • Morning: After arriving in Pingliang, visit Pingliang Museum. Admission is available with your ID card. Allow about 1.5 hours, with a focus on the ancient human fossils from the Jinhe River basin and the Buddhist treasures.
  • Afternoon: Take a walk around Liuhu Park and enjoy the garden scenery of “Sunny Snow at Liuhu.” Rest and take photos near the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
  • Evening: Have dinner at Xinmin Road Night Market or Kongtong Ancient Town. Try local snacks such as Pingliang hela noodles, niangpi, and fried boluo, or choose Pingliang lamb paomo for dinner.
• Day 2: Visit Kongtong Mountain and explore the ancient town at night
  • Morning: Aim to arrive at Kongtong Mountain Scenic Area before 7:30 a.m. to avoid the crowds and possibly see a sea of clouds. Take the sightseeing shuttle to Xiangshan or Zhongtai, then walk to Huangcheng, the Stairway to Heaven, and Leisheng Peak. The entire route takes about four hours.

• Noon: Have lunch at a farmhouse restaurant at the foot of the mountain or in Kongtong Ancient Town, and try local wild greens and free-range chicken.
  • Afternoon: Rest in Kongtong Ancient Town after descending the mountain, or head to Nanshan Park for a climb and a bird’s-eye view of central Pingliang.
  • Evening: Stay in the city center or around the ancient town. For dinner, try Zhuanglang hot pot or Pingliang Red Angus stir-fry.
• Day 3: Head to Jingchuan for a cultural tour
  • Morning: Drive yourself or hire a car to Jingchuan County, about one hour away. Visit Dayun Temple and the Queen Mother Palace to learn about Buddhist heritage and the culture surrounding Xiwangmu.

• Noon: Have lunch in Jingchuan County and try Jingchuan chang noodles and guanguan steamed buns.
  • Afternoon: If time allows, visit Jingchuan Museum or Yuantong Temple along the way. Then take local specialties such as Jingning roast chicken and Pingliang apples with you when you leave.

Recommended local specialties

Pingliang’s local cuisine centers on noodles, lamb, and fermented foods. In addition to night-market snacks, the following dishes are worth trying:

• Pingliang lamb paomo: Unlike Xi’an lamb paomo, this version is characterized by a clear broth, hand-torn flatbread, and freshly boiled lamb spine. The broth is clear, the lamb tender, and the dish is even more flavorful with pickled garlic and chili oil.

• Jingning roast chicken: Made using an intangible cultural heritage technique, it is first brushed with maltose sauce and then slowly smoked over fruitwood. The finished chicken has crisp skin, tender meat, and a slightly sweet flavor, and is convenient to carry and eat.

• Pingliang hela noodles: Buckwheat dough is pressed into thin noodles and served with a hot-and-sour minced-meat sauce. The noodles are chewy and form a common everyday staple in the area.

• Zhuanglang hot pot: Vermicelli, tofu, potatoes, and beef or lamb are slowly simmered over charcoal in a copper pot. With a mix of meat and vegetables and a piping-hot broth, it is especially comforting in autumn and winter.

• Jiufuzi (sweet fermented oats): Made from fermented oats and served with ice water, this drink has a light sweetness and a mild fermented aroma. It is a common local refreshment in hot weather.

Accommodation and transportation tips

• Where to stay: Consider staying around Nanmen Crossroads, Xinmin Road, Ludi Plaza, or the foot of Kongtong Mountain. These areas have a concentration of hotels and guesthouses and are close to restaurant districts, making it relatively easy to get around. Visitors traveling by car can also choose a farmhouse stay around Kongtong Ancient Town or stay in Huating City, where parking is more convenient.
• Transportation: Pingliang currently has no airport or high-speed rail station, so train journeys usually require a transfer. When traveling from Lanzhou, Xi’an, Yinchuan, Tianshui, or elsewhere, driving is generally the most convenient option. Road conditions are good, and an ordinary family car is sufficient. Within the city, you can take buses or taxis. For trips to surrounding counties such as Jingchuan, hiring a car or driving yourself is more suitable.

Practical tips

• What to wear: Mountain areas such as Kongtong Mountain have large temperature differences between morning and evening. Even in autumn, bring a lightweight windproof jacket. There are many steps along the mountain paths, and some stone steps may be damp, so wear non-slip sports shoes and consider bringing a hiking pole.
• Ticket reservations: The peak season at Kongtong Mountain is from April to October, when admission costs 110 yuan. Off-season admission costs 55 yuan, and the sightseeing shuttle is charged separately. Real-name reservations are required before entering the scenic area, and you must present your ID card at the entrance.
• Avoiding scams: At the foot of Kongtong Mountain, do not trust people offering cheap guiding services or unofficial guides by the roadside. Incense offerings at Taoist temples are voluntary; refuse firmly if anyone pressures you to buy something.
• Weather and seas of clouds: Mountain weather can change quickly, so it is advisable to carry a rain poncho. For the best chance of seeing a sea of clouds, go on a clear morning after rain and start up the mountain at around 7 a.m.