Pingliang & Kongtong Mountain
Kongtong Mountain, revered as the 'source of the Tao', with Kongtong-style martial arts and the legend of the Yellow Emperor seeking the Way, plus Pingliang red beef and eastern Gansu charm – an off-the-beaten-path destination for Taoism and summer escapes in northwest China.
Pingliang lies in eastern Gansu where the Longdong Loess Plateau meets the Liupan Mountains, bordering Shaanxi to the east and Ningxia to the north. The Jing River crosses it from west to east, and since ancient times it has been a strategic gateway between Guanzhong and Gansu and the 'first city west of Chang'an' on the eastern Silk Road. Its best-known attraction is Kongtong Mountain – the 'source of the Tao' in Taoism, birthplace of Kongtong-style martial arts, and a national 5A (top-rated) scenic area. Jingchuan County in the east has the Queen Mother of the West Palace on Hui Mountain, cradle of Queen Mother of the West culture, the Dayun Temple founded by imperial order of Wu Zetian, and a cluster of Northern Wei grottoes.
Best time to visit: May–Oct. Summers are cool (Kongtong Mountain is a few degrees cooler than the city), making it a northwest summer retreat; the red leaves and layered forests of Kongtong Mountain are most beautiful in Sep–Oct; winter is dry and cold, and mountain paths may ice over.
Itinerary: ① Pingliang city and Kongtong Mountain, 1 day – start at Wendao Palace, take the shuttle or cable car up to Zhongtai, climb to Huangcheng, then visit Tanzheng Lake; in the evening, stroll Liuhu Park (site of the Song dynasty Liuhu Academy and its warm springs) and the Yan'en Temple Pagoda in the city; ② Jingchuan, half to full day – Dayun Temple, the Queen Mother of the West Palace on Hui Mountain and its grottoes, and the Southern Grotto Temple; ③ Extensions – Lianhuatai and Yunya Temple in the Guanshan Mountains of Zhuanglang, Lianhuatai in Huating, or north to the Liupan Mountains (Ningxia). Suggested stay: 2–3 days.
Getting there: Pingliang Station has conventional trains to Xi'an, Lanzhou, Yinchuan, Baoji and elsewhere; the nearest airports are Guyuan Liupanshan Airport and Qingyang Airport; driving from Xi'an via the G22 Qingdao–Lanzhou Expressway takes about 4 hours. Kongtong Mountain is about 12 km from the city, easily reached by taxi or bus.
Food: Pingliang red beef, beef noodles, guanguan tea (brewed in small clay pots), niangpi cold noodles and guokui flatbread are classic eastern Gansu flavors. Tips: Kongtong Mountain's stone steps are steep, so wear non-slip shoes; admission, cable car prices and opening hours are subject to current official announcements.
Top sights
- Kongtong Mountain – The Holy Land of the Dao and birthplace of Kongtong martial arts. Temples and shrines crowd its Danxia rock formations, and the standard ro…
- Dayun Temple, Jingchuan – The former site of the Tang-dynasty Dayun Temple, ordered built by Empress Wu Zetian. A five-layer nested relic container was unearthed her…
- Tanzheng Lake (Kongtong Reservoir) – A gorge lake formed by a dam on the Jing River at the foot of Mount Kongtong. A boat trip lets you gaze up at the mountain's precipitous pe…
- Wendao Palace – A Taoist temple at the foot of Mount Kongtong commemorating the Yellow Emperor's visit to Guangchengzi to ask about the Way. It is the star…
- Wangmu Palace & Grottoes at Huishan – Huishan, where the Jing and Rui rivers meet, is regarded as the birthplace of the Queen Mother of the West culture. The Wangmu Palace Grott…
- Liuhu Park – A thousand-year-old garden built by Cai Ting, prefect of Weizhou in the Northern Song dynasty, featuring a warm spring, the site of the Liu…
- Yan'en Temple Pagoda – An octagonal thirteen-story brick pagoda built by the Ming-dynasty Han princely house, a landmark in southeast Pingliang. Climbing to Baota…
- Pingliang Museum – A concentrated display of cultural relics from the Longdong region, covering prehistoric painted pottery, Zhou and Qin bronzes, and Buddhis…
- Kongtong Ancient Town – A faux-antique commercial district at the foot of Mount Kongtong, with Pingliang snacks, guesthouses, and night views. It is a good place t…
- Taitong Mountain Forest Park – A national forest park on the south side of Mount Kongtong, with dense secondary forest and few visitors. It is good for hiking to escape t…
- Guanshan Lotus Terrace – A forest and alpine meadow scenic area deep in the Guanshan section of the Liupan Mountains, with lotus-shaped peaks, valley waterfalls, an…
- Yunya Temple – A group of Northern Wei grotto temples on the cliffs at the western foot of Guanshan, where red sandstone cliffs, temple halls, and green f…
- Southern Grotto Temple of Jingchuan – A Jing River grotto complex carved in the third year of the Yongping era of the Northern Wei. The seven standing Buddhas over six meters ta…
- Yanzhixia Gorge – A forested gorge in southeastern Jingyuan with clear streams and steep cliffs. In autumn the red leaves look like rouge, which gives the go…
Where to eat
- Guangcheng Hotel Dining Hall – Hotel restaurant at the foot of Kongtong Mountain, gathering Pingliang local dishes. Guangcheng hot pot and niangpi are…
- Mayikou Mutton Paomo (Xinmin Garden Branch) – Small mutton paomo shop favoured by locals. The mutton is tender and the broth rich, and one large bowl with bread can…
Itineraries
- Southeast Gansu Grottoes & Mount Kongtong – Travel north from Tianshui through Pingliang to Qingyang, connecting Maijishan, Mount Kongtong, the North and South Gro…
- Guyuan, Liupan Mountain & Mount Kongtong 5-Day Summer Retreat – See grottoes and Danxia landforms in Guyuan, cross Liupan Mountain to Mount Kongtong in Pingliang, ideal for a slow-pac…