Pingdingshan Three-Day Travel Guide

📅 Highlights of the itinerary: Natural wonders (Yaoshan Mountain, Central Plains Giant Buddha) Cultural exploration (Xiangshan Temple, Yexian County Government Office) Taste of Pingdingshan (Jia County Heluo Noodles, Lushan Lan Guo Dish) 🗓️ Day 1: Pilgrimage to the Central Plains Giant Buddha, climb Yaoshan Mountain 🌞 Morning 📍 Central Plains Giant Buddha Scenic Area (Ticket 120 RMB, includes Foquan Temple) ✅ Must-experience: Worship the world's tallest bronze Buddha (208 meters tall) Touch the Buddha’s foot for blessings (additional 30 RMB elevator ticket required) Listen to Zen sounds and admire the thousand-year-old ginkgo at Foquan Temple 🕘 Suggested duration: 2-3 hours 🌙 Afternoon to evening 📍 Yaoshan Scenic Area (Ticket 65 RMB, round-trip cable car 100 RMB) ✅ Must-visit routes: Feiyun Valley plank road (suspended glass viewing platform) Yuhuang Peak (altitude 2153 meters, overlook the sea of clouds) Autumn red leaves covering the mountain (best in October-November) 🍜 Dinner: Farmhouse restaurant at the foot of Yaoshan (recommended acorn jelly, wild mountain vegetables) 🗓️ Day 2: Visit ancient temples, explore the millennium-old county government office 🌞 Morning 📍 Xiangshan Temple (Ticket 40 RMB) The ancestral hall of Han Chinese Buddhism “Guanyin,” with Song Dynasty pagoda and numerous steles Climb the Great Compassion Guanyin Pavilion for a panoramic view of Pingdingshan 📍 Baigui Lake National Wetland Park (Free) Stroll along the lakeside boardwalk, perfect for photos among autumn reeds 🌙 Afternoon to evening 📍 Yexian County Government Office (Ticket 50 RMB) The existing Ming Dynasty county government office in China, live performance “County Magistrate’s Judgment” 📍 Pingdingshan Museum (Free, closed on Mondays) Focus on Ying State bronze ware and Su Shi’s “Battle of Kunyang” stele 🍢 Dinner: City’s “Old Brand Jia County Heluo Noodles” (better with lamb offal soup) 🗓️ Day 3: Lushan secret spots and hot spring relaxation 🌞 Morning 📍 Huamei Valley (Ticket 60 RMB) Southern Henan’s Little Jiuzhaigou, hike through the valley and waterfalls (summer cooling spot) Experience cliff swings and rainbow slides (extra charge) 🌙 Afternoon before departure 📍 Lushan Hot Spring Resort (starting from 150 RMB per person) Recommended Huanggu Bath Hot Spring or Xiangtang Hot Spring for soaking and relaxation 🍜 Before leaving, try: Lushan Lan Guo Dish (braised pork belly + tofu + vermicelli) 🍜 Food recommendations and warnings ✅ Must-try list: Jia County Heluo Noodles: freshly pressed buckwheat noodles with lamb soup Lushan Lan Guo Dish: Henan-style “mixed stew,” spicy and flavorful Yexian Braised Chicken: farmhouse chicken with secret sauce ❌ Avoid: “Mountain delicacies and wild game” at scenic area entrances (mostly frozen goods) 🚗 Transportation tips Within the city: taxi starting fare 5 RMB, limited bus routes Yaoshan/Huamei Valley: recommended to charter a car (about 200 RMB/day) or self-drive From Zhengzhou: high-speed train 40 minutes to Pingdingshan West Station (closer to Yaoshan) 🏨 Accommodation suggestions High-end: Yaoshan Fuquan Hotel (hot spring in-room) Cost-effective: Chain hotels in Zhanhe District downtown (e.g., Jinjiang Inn) 💡 Tips: Big temperature difference at Yaoshan, bring a windbreaker Many steps at Xiangshan Temple, wear comfortable shoes Bring your own swimsuit for hot springs (onsite ones are expensive and unattractive) Bring this guide and start your hidden journey in Pingdingshan!