Before going, my mind was full of labels like "coal city," "industrial," and "just a stopover." After spending three days there, I was stunned—this place hides the most underrated treasure in the Central Plains, and the best part is that the costs are so low it’s hard to believe 💰💰💰
🏔️ First, let's talk about Yaoshan—it's not just hype that it's a Central Plains wonderland
Formerly known as Shiren Mountain, it's one of the ten most beautiful peaks in Henan. With its strange rock formations, sea of clouds, and pine waves, it's stunning. In spring, azaleas cover the slopes. The cable car up is CNY 80 per person, which saves your legs and time. Walking down the plank road, you can still see traces of the ancient path, with wooden nail holes embedded in the stone crevices—the sense of history is palpable. Seeing the sea of clouds rolling over Yuhuang Peak made every penny worth it. Admission plus the scenic shuttle bus is CNY 120. I recommend combining the cable car with hiking; trying to hike the whole thing will just wear you out. The farmhouses at the entrance serve wild mountain vegetables with scrambled eggs, stewed chicken, and acorn jelly—all foraged from the mountain. You can eat your fill for about CNY 40 per person.
🗿 The Central Plains Buddha, to be honest, is a bit complicated
At 208 meters, it's the world's tallest Buddhist statue, and standing at its feet is truly awe-inspiring. But honestly, the secondary spending experience in the scenic area is just average, and it feels quite commercialized. My advice: focus on the Buddha itself and the Foquan Temple to soak in the solemnity, and keep your spending rational. Do some research beforehand so you don't get swayed.
🍜 Food is Pingdingshan's hidden ace
This deserves a special mention because the value for money for food in Pingdingshan is ridiculously high.
1️⃣ Jiaxian Heluo noodles: Freshly pressed buckwheat noodles, chewy and smooth, served in a mutton broth with green onions and chili oil. Pair it with a freshly baked mutton flatbread, and for CNY 18, you'll be in food heaven. I ate at that old shop on Jianshe Road twice.
2️⃣ Lushan Languo dish: Meatballs, vermicelli, and tofu stewed in one pot with Chinese herbal seasoning. It's savory and goes great with rice; a small portion is only CNY 15. You can eat your way from one end of the Heping Road pedestrian street night market to the other—grilled gluten, flatbread rolls, stir-fried rice noodles—it's full of authentic local vibes.
3️⃣ Sanlangmiao beef: Made from Jiaxian red cattle, the meat is firm and tender. It's vacuum-packed, making it a perfect souvenir to take home.
4️⃣ Baofeng mutton soup: Boiling broth is poured repeatedly over mutton, turning the soup milky white. It's a local breakfast staple served with flatbread. Have a bowl in the morning to stay warm all day.
5️⃣ Ru porcelain: Yes, Ru porcelain is from Pingdingshan! Baofeng Qingliang Temple is the site of the Ru official kiln. The celadon glaze has such a warm, gentle feel. Modern handmade cups cost CNY 300–800, while mass-produced ones are cheaper. You can watch the throwing and trimming process; the masters are so steady that the rims are thin enough to be translucent.
📍 Two severely underrated places
You must visit the Pingdingshan Museum—it's free! From Peiligang culture artifacts to Spring and Autumn and Warring States period bronzes, plus a dedicated Ru porcelain exhibition area, you can see authentic pieces from one of the five great Song Dynasty kilns right in front of you. It's closed on Mondays, so remember to book in advance via their official WeChat account.
Baigui Lake National Wetland Park is also free. With egrets flying about and the sunset reflecting on the lake in the evening, just use your phone's wide-angle lens and shoot from a low angle for amazing photos. It's best to go between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM when there's a light mist over the water—it's ethereal.
⚠️ Honest tips to avoid pitfalls
1️⃣ For high-speed rail, make sure you book to Pingdingshan West Station, not Pingdingshan Station. They sound similar but are far from the attractions. If you arrive late at night, there's a shuttle bus; search for the "Pingdingshan Bus Comprehensive Business Platform" mini-program on WeChat to book.
2️⃣ For accommodation, don't choose small hotels near the highway exit—trucks will rumble all night. In the city, choose the intersection of Kuanggong Road and Jianshe Road; there's plenty of food and it's close to the museum. Or stay by the Zhan River for a morning walk. Business hotels are CNY 180–260 on weekdays and around 300 on weekends.
3️⃣ Attractions are scattered, so renting a car is most convenient. If you don't drive, hire a reputable private driver for the day—they know the routes and will save you money by avoiding detours.
4️⃣ There are summer discount policies: Jiufeng Mountain is half-price (CNY 20) for students, Sansu Garden is CNY 20, Huamei Valley is CNY 40, and Zhengzhou residents get a special CNY 30 rate for Daxiangshan Cultural Park. Check the dates to save some money.
💰 Why my perception of costs was shattered
For two people, three days of travel including transport, accommodation, tickets, and food cost less than CNY 800 per person. A taxi starts at CNY 7, and a trip across the city is under CNY 20. Heluo noodles are CNY 18, Languo dish is CNY 15, and farm meals are CNY 40 per person. The money you'd spend on one meal in a first-tier city can feed you for three days here.
Pingdingshan isn't the kind of city that stuns you at first glance, but it's the kind that gets more comfortable the longer you stay and more addictive the more you eat. It has a solid foundation of scenery, authentic food, and honest prices. Stop treating it as just a stopover; give it three days, and it will show you the full tenderness of the Central Plains.