Liupanshui

China's “Cool Capital,” for summer escapes and winter skiing in the south, with the Wumeng Grassland, Yeyuhai, the Beipanjiang Bridge and the Third Front Construction Museum.

Liupanshui lies in the Wumeng Mountains of western Guizhou and administers Zhongshan District, Shuicheng District, Liuzhi Special District and Panzhou City; it grew up around coal mining during the Third Front Construction era. The urban area sits at about 1,800 m, with an average summer temperature of around 19°C, earning it the title of China's “Cool Capital”; Jun–Aug is peak season for escaping the heat. Winters are cold, and Meihuashan and Yushe have ski resorts, a rarity in southern China. The area divides into four parts: first, the city and its outskirts, with Shuicheng Ancient Town, the Third Front Construction Museum, Minghu Wetland Park and Meihuashan Ski Resort; second, southern Shuicheng, with the Yeyuhai resort and the Beipanjiang Bridge; third, the Panzhou area, with the Wumeng Grassland, Niangniang Mountain, Dala Fairy Valley, Danxia Mountain and, in late autumn, the ancient ginkgoes of Tuole; fourth, the Liuzhi area, with the Suoga Long-Horn Miao Ecomuseum, Langdai Ancient Town and the gorge lake of the Zangke River. Getting there: Liupanshui Station is on the Shanghai–Kunming high-speed railway, about 1 hour from Guiyang and 2 hours from Kunming; Yuezhao Airport has a handful of flights. Sights are scattered and public transport is limited, so self-drive or hire a car, and allow 3–4 days. The mountains are often rainy and foggy, the roads are winding and steep, and in winter freezing conditions can close roads. Local specialties include Shuicheng griddle (laoguo), mutton rice noodles, potato cakes and Panzhou ham.

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