3-day travel guide for Xiping County, Zhumadian City
I will create a 3-day travel guide for 5 must-visit attractions in Xiping County, Zhumadian City, based on the latest cultural and tourism information. The entire trip is planned within a budget of 1,500 yuan, balancing natural wilderness, cultural learning, and local food experiences.
Over 3 days, you will explore mountain forests, a thousand-year-old ancient pagoda, the Lei Zu cultural heritage, sea of flowers, and iron smelting relics. All attractions are within 30 minutes by car. Immerse yourself in the ancient county charm of Xiping, known as the “source of the sword and the ancestor.” The total cost per person is about 1,475 yuan, suitable for the dry and cool summer weather of 20–30℃ in August.
Day 1: Mountain forest cooling and sword source exploration
In the morning, head straight to Tangxiyuan Scenic Area (8:00 AM–6:00 PM | admission 20 yuan). As a national forest park with over 95% forest coverage, it is a natural oxygen bar for cooling off. Walk along the Tangxi Gorge trail to see the Double Dragon Waterfalls falling into the Nine-Linked Pools, stroll through the wild grape corridor for shade and coolness, climb Paomaling to touch the legendary sword-testing stone, and visit the Warring States iron smelting furnace ruins. Experience the profound heritage of the “world’s first sword” birthplace. The visit lasts about 3.5 hours.
At noon, enjoy local farmhouse dishes nearby, such as clay pot native chicken and cold wild vegetables, for about 50 yuan per person to taste authentic mountain flavors.
In the afternoon, take a 25-minute taxi to the Warring States iron smelting site (free all day). As an important iron smelting base from the Warring States to the Han and Jin dynasties, the remaining furnace is praised by metallurgists as the “world’s first furnace.” Touch the charred furnace walls and scattered iron slag to trace back over 2,000 years of Tangxi sword forging history. The visit lasts about 1 hour. Return to the county town in the evening for accommodation, visit the night market, and try Xiping’s specialty hot tofu and stir-fried cold noodles for about 30 yuan per person.
Day 2: Lei Zu cultural heritage root-seeking route
In the morning, visit the Lei Zu Cultural Park (free all day). As the core exhibition site of Lei Zu culture, explore the Lei Zu Temple and watch silk reeling demonstrations. Immerse yourself in the humanistic legend of Lei Zu, the “silkworm goddess,” who first made clothes from silkworms. The park is filled with ancient cypress trees, making it very refreshing to stroll through. The visit lasts about 2 hours.
At noon, dine at nearby restaurants with Xiping stewed noodles and marinated chicken heads for about 45 yuan per person to eat well and fill up.
In the afternoon, take a 10-minute taxi to Lei Zu Begonia Garden (free all day). Although August is not begonia season, the lotus pond and sunflower sea are in full bloom. Rent a bike to ride slowly along the greenway, watch the flowers sway in the breeze, and pick out silk handmade gifts at the cultural shop. The visit lasts about 2.5 hours. In the evening, enjoy the county town’s specialty “eight big bowls” and egg-stuffed pancakes for about 40 yuan per person.
Day 3: Ancient county relics wandering route
In the morning, visit Baoyan Temple Pagoda (free all day). This thousand-year-old pagoda, built in the Northern Song dynasty, is a landmark of old Xiping. The brick carvings of flying apsaras and Buddha patterns remain clear and exquisite despite the years. Climb the pagoda to overlook the old town and feel the time-honored history of the ancient county. The visit lasts about 1.5 hours. Then walk through the old town streets to buy local snacks like handmade crispy twists and sesame candy for about 20 yuan per person.
At noon, eat stewed native chicken and rice flour noodles at a long-established old town restaurant for about 45 yuan per person.
Before heading back in the afternoon, stop by specialty shops to buy Tangxi sword souvenirs, Xiping small-batch sesame oil, and silk products as gifts, concluding a trip that combines natural wilderness and cultural depth in Xiping.
Budget details (per person)
Accommodation: 3 nights in county town budget hotels, total 380 yuan
Transportation: taxis, buses, and scenic area shuttles, total 160 yuan
Admission: Tangxiyuan 20 yuan, reserve 100 yuan for rafting and craft experiences
Meals: 3 days of main meals and snacks, total 290 yuan
Gifts: 525 yuan (including Tangxi cultural products, local specialties, and silk items)
Total: 1,475 yuan, with 25 yuan reserved for flexible expenses, just within the 1,500 yuan budget.
Over 3 days, you will explore mountain forests, a thousand-year-old ancient pagoda, the Lei Zu cultural heritage, sea of flowers, and iron smelting relics. All attractions are within 30 minutes by car. Immerse yourself in the ancient county charm of Xiping, known as the “source of the sword and the ancestor.” The total cost per person is about 1,475 yuan, suitable for the dry and cool summer weather of 20–30℃ in August.
Day 1: Mountain forest cooling and sword source exploration
In the morning, head straight to Tangxiyuan Scenic Area (8:00 AM–6:00 PM | admission 20 yuan). As a national forest park with over 95% forest coverage, it is a natural oxygen bar for cooling off. Walk along the Tangxi Gorge trail to see the Double Dragon Waterfalls falling into the Nine-Linked Pools, stroll through the wild grape corridor for shade and coolness, climb Paomaling to touch the legendary sword-testing stone, and visit the Warring States iron smelting furnace ruins. Experience the profound heritage of the “world’s first sword” birthplace. The visit lasts about 3.5 hours.
At noon, enjoy local farmhouse dishes nearby, such as clay pot native chicken and cold wild vegetables, for about 50 yuan per person to taste authentic mountain flavors.
In the afternoon, take a 25-minute taxi to the Warring States iron smelting site (free all day). As an important iron smelting base from the Warring States to the Han and Jin dynasties, the remaining furnace is praised by metallurgists as the “world’s first furnace.” Touch the charred furnace walls and scattered iron slag to trace back over 2,000 years of Tangxi sword forging history. The visit lasts about 1 hour. Return to the county town in the evening for accommodation, visit the night market, and try Xiping’s specialty hot tofu and stir-fried cold noodles for about 30 yuan per person.
Day 2: Lei Zu cultural heritage root-seeking route
In the morning, visit the Lei Zu Cultural Park (free all day). As the core exhibition site of Lei Zu culture, explore the Lei Zu Temple and watch silk reeling demonstrations. Immerse yourself in the humanistic legend of Lei Zu, the “silkworm goddess,” who first made clothes from silkworms. The park is filled with ancient cypress trees, making it very refreshing to stroll through. The visit lasts about 2 hours.
At noon, dine at nearby restaurants with Xiping stewed noodles and marinated chicken heads for about 45 yuan per person to eat well and fill up.
In the afternoon, take a 10-minute taxi to Lei Zu Begonia Garden (free all day). Although August is not begonia season, the lotus pond and sunflower sea are in full bloom. Rent a bike to ride slowly along the greenway, watch the flowers sway in the breeze, and pick out silk handmade gifts at the cultural shop. The visit lasts about 2.5 hours. In the evening, enjoy the county town’s specialty “eight big bowls” and egg-stuffed pancakes for about 40 yuan per person.
Day 3: Ancient county relics wandering route
In the morning, visit Baoyan Temple Pagoda (free all day). This thousand-year-old pagoda, built in the Northern Song dynasty, is a landmark of old Xiping. The brick carvings of flying apsaras and Buddha patterns remain clear and exquisite despite the years. Climb the pagoda to overlook the old town and feel the time-honored history of the ancient county. The visit lasts about 1.5 hours. Then walk through the old town streets to buy local snacks like handmade crispy twists and sesame candy for about 20 yuan per person.
At noon, eat stewed native chicken and rice flour noodles at a long-established old town restaurant for about 45 yuan per person.
Before heading back in the afternoon, stop by specialty shops to buy Tangxi sword souvenirs, Xiping small-batch sesame oil, and silk products as gifts, concluding a trip that combines natural wilderness and cultural depth in Xiping.
Budget details (per person)
Accommodation: 3 nights in county town budget hotels, total 380 yuan
Transportation: taxis, buses, and scenic area shuttles, total 160 yuan
Admission: Tangxiyuan 20 yuan, reserve 100 yuan for rafting and craft experiences
Meals: 3 days of main meals and snacks, total 290 yuan
Gifts: 525 yuan (including Tangxi cultural products, local specialties, and silk items)
Total: 1,475 yuan, with 25 yuan reserved for flexible expenses, just within the 1,500 yuan budget.