Pingdingshan

Yaoshan (Shiren Mountain) in the eastern Funiu Mountains is famed for its striking peaks and autumn foliage, alongside the Zhongyuan Buddha, Huamei Valley, the Lushan hot-spring belt and Zhaoping Lake, with Xiangshan Temple, the Three Su Garden and Fengxue Temple around the city.

Pingdingshan lies in central Henan at the eastern foot of the Funiu Mountains, with Lushan County to its west serving as the base for exploring the area's mountains and waters. The highlight is Yaoshan (historically Shiren Mountain), about 60 km west of Lushan town and part of the Funiu Mountain UNESCO Global Geopark. Its main peak, Yuhuang Summit, rises to 2,153 m, combining granite pinnacles, waterfalls and old-growth forest, and together with the Zhongyuan Buddha at its foot it forms a national 5A-rated scenic area (China's top tier). Around Yaoshan Town are further gorge attractions such as Huamei Valley, Liuyang Mountain–Tongtian River and the Yaoshan Grand Canyon rafting. Downstream along the Sha River, Shangtang, Zhongtang and Xiatang form the hot-spring belt that has earned Lushan the title "China's Hometown of Hot Springs", and Zhaoping Lake lies on the western edge of the county town. If staying in Pingdingshan city, you can also visit Xiangshan Temple in the northern suburbs (said to be the hometown of Guanyin), the Three Su Garden in Jia County (tombs of Su Shi and Su Zhe) and the Tang pagoda at Fengxue Temple in Ruzhou. Best seasons: Apr–May for Yaoshan's azaleas, Jul–Aug for cool mountain air and rafting, and Oct–Nov for Yaoshan's peak autumn foliage; winter is good for hot springs, though high-altitude trails may ice over and close. Getting there: the Zhengzhou–Chongqing high-speed railway stops at Pingdingshan West, about 1 hour from Zhengzhou; Lushan town to Yaoshan is about 1 hour, and the Zhengzhou–Luanchuan Expressway has a Yaoshan exit. Allow 3 days: one for Yaoshan (cable cars available up and down), one for the Zhongyuan Buddha plus Huamei Valley or rafting, with an evening soak at Xiatang, and one for the ancient temples and tombs around the city. Local specialities include Lushan languo one-pot stew, beef soup and Baofeng liquor. Prices for tickets, cable cars and rafting vary by season; check official announcements.

Top sights

• Yaoshan (Shiren Mountain) – A famous mountain of granite peaks at the eastern end of the Funiu Mountains, with a main summit at 2,153 m. It is a national 5A scenic are…
• Spring Temple Buddha – A bronze statue of Vairocana Buddha, 208 m tall in total. It was once the tallest Buddha statue in the world. At the foot of the mountain a…
• Huamei Valley – A red-stone canyon scenic area in Yaoshan Town, linked by multi-tier waterfalls, glass bridges and cliff walkways; a national 4A-level scen…
• Yaoshan Grand Canyon Rafting – A gorge rafting run at the foot of Mount Yao with a drop of about 150 meters and a river that alternates between wide and narrow stretches…
• Liuyang Mountain & Tongtian River – A canyon stream scenic area in the Funiu Mountains, where the clear Tongtian River, waterfalls and forest accompany visitors on hikes and w…
• Lushan Hot Springs – A cluster of hot spring areas including Shangtang, Zhongtang and Xiatang along the Sha River; Lushan is known as China's Hot Spring Hometow…
• Zhaoping Lake – A large reservoir lake about 10 km west of Lushan County town, with wide open waters for boating and cycling around the lake.
• Fengxue Temple – A thousand-year-old temple at the southern foot of Mount Song in Ruzhou, with a Tang-dynasty Seven Patriarchs Pagoda and well-preserved Jin…
• Three Sus Tombs Garden – The burial site of Su Shi and Su Zhe at the foot of Little Emei Mountain in Jia County, with a cenotaph for their father Su Xun; a national…
• Xiangshan Temple (Pingdingshan) – The 'Birthplace of Guanyin' on Big Xiangshan north of Pingdingshan, where the temple's Northern Song Great Compassion Guanyin Pagoda is its…
• Linfeng Ancient Fortress Village – A Ming–Qing ancient fortified village of red stone in Tangjie Town, Jia County, encircled by a protective moat, with walls and houses built…
• Yexian County Yamen – China's only fully preserved Ming-dynasty county government compound, showing the layout of an ancient county-level office; a national key…

Where to eat

• Lushan Languocai (Yang Genxian Original Shop) – The original shop of Yang Genxian, founder of the Lushan Languocai brand, on Renmin Road, the main route to Yao Mountai…

Itineraries

• Lushan Self-Drive: Yaoshan Mountain, Spring Temple Buddha & Hot Springs – Drive from Zhengzhou to Lushan to see the Spring Temple Buddha, climb Yaoshan Mountain, hike Huamei Valley, and relax i…