Pingxiang

Pingxiang offers alpine meadows, seas of clouds, revolutionary history and local food. You can hike in the mountains or explore local culture in the city. Local dishes are known for their bold, spicy flavors.

• Wugong Mountain: With around 6,667 hectares of alpine meadows, this is Pingxiang’s main mountain destination. Watch sunrise and seas of clouds from Jinding, hike along the Starry Sky Boardwalk, or camp overnight to look for the Milky Way.

• Anyuan Railway and Mine Workers’ Movement Memorial Hall: One of the birthplaces of China’s labor movement, this museum has extensive exhibits. After visiting, explore nearby Anyuan Old Street and the Zongpingxiang Mine Tunnel for more revolutionary history and photography.

• Nielong Cave: This karst cave dates back 180 million years and stays at 18°C year-round. See the Dongtian Waterfall or take a boat along the underground river. It is a good place to cool off in summer.

• Nanzheng Street: This area features traditional-style buildings and a concentration of snack stalls, tea shops and creative gift shops. Once the lights come on at night, take a stroll and enjoy the everyday atmosphere of the old street.

• Pingxiang Museum: Exhibitions occupy three floors, with highlights including a set of Yuan-dynasty blue-and-white porcelain and 248 fossilized dinosaur eggs. Admission is free, making it an accessible introduction to Pingxiang’s history and natural heritage.

• Xianfeng Sanbao Agricultural Leisure Park: With Youyou Ranch, a vintage-style miniature train and spacious lawns, this park offers a relaxed rural setting for family activities, camping and photography.

Suggested 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Pingxiang and explore revolutionary history sites and old neighborhoods
  • Morning: Arrive at Pingxiang North Railway Station, then take a taxi to your city hotel to check in.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Anyuan Railway and Mine Workers’ Movement Memorial Hall to learn about a century of labor movement history, then stroll along Anyuan Old Street.
  • Evening: Explore the Nanzheng Street Historic and Cultural District, look for the sign reading “Pingxiang, China’s Spicy Food Capital,” and try Pingxiang stir-fried rice noodles and local street snacks.

• Day 2: Climb Wugong Mountain for meadows and seas of clouds
  • Morning: Travel from the city to the Wugong Mountain Visitor Center, take the Zhong’an Cableway uphill, then hike via Haohan Slope and the Starry Sky Boardwalk.
  • Afternoon: Reach Jinding, walk through the alpine meadows, enjoy the seas of clouds and allow time to watch the sunset.

• Day 3: Explore a cave and prepare for departure
  • Morning: If you stayed on the mountain, watch sunrise and seas of clouds at Jinding before descending. If you stayed at the foot of the mountain, head straight to Nielong Cave to explore this cavern formed hundreds of millions of years ago.

• Afternoon: Back in the city, visit Pingxiang Museum or head to No. 27 Jijian Village to photograph graffiti art, then begin your journey home.

Local Food in Pingxiang

Pingxiang is known as a “spicy food capital,” with dishes featuring bold, spicy flavors. If you have a low tolerance for chili, ask for “mild” when ordering.

• Lianhua Blood Duck: This signature Pingxiang dish, recognized as intangible cultural heritage, features duck meat coated in duck blood. Its rich, spicy flavor goes well with rice.

• Pingxiang Stir-Fried Rice Noodles: A common breakfast and late-night staple, this dish combines springy rice noodles with eggs, shredded meat and bean sprouts. The noodles are well seasoned, with a distinct aroma from stir-frying.

• Wang Tuozi Stinky Tofu: Fried until crisp outside and tender inside, the tofu soaks up a fragrant, spicy broth. It is usually served with pickled radish to balance the richness and is a popular late-night snack.

• Yang Huzi Rice Noodles: Fine, silky rice noodles in a rich broth, served with a fried dough stick, offer a taste of a traditional local breakfast.

• Hua Hudie Spicy Tofu-Skin Snacks: Many Pingxiang residents grew up eating these spicy tofu-skin sheets. They have a pronounced garlic flavor and a texture that is both crisp and chewy, and can be packed to take home as gifts.

• Tuijiang Migu: Made from glutinous rice and coated in soybean flour, these soft, chewy treats have a fragrant rice flavor. They are usually available at morning markets or fresh food markets.

Accommodation and Transport

• Where to Stay:
  • City center, near Nanzheng Street or Autumn Harvest Uprising Square: With plenty of dining options and convenient transport, these areas are suitable for your first and last nights.
  • At the foot of Wugong Mountain or near the visitor center: Stay here if you plan to start hiking early the next morning, reducing travel time.

• Wugong Mountain summit, around Jinding or Guanyindang: For sunrise or stargazing, choose a summit guesthouse or camping tent. Accommodation here is relatively expensive and should be booked in advance.

• Getting Around:
  • High-speed rail: Arrive at Pingxiang North Railway Station, then take a taxi to the city center, about 10 minutes away.
  • To Wugong Mountain: Direct tourist coaches run from Pingxiang North Railway Station to the Wugong Mountain scenic area, taking about 1.5 hours. You can also share a car or drive yourself.
  • Local travel: City attractions are fairly close together, taxi fares are relatively low, and direct buses are also available. For attractions outside the city, such as Nielong Cave and Xianfeng Sanbao, consider driving or hiring a car with a driver.

Travel Tips

• Spice levels: Local food is quite spicy, and even “mild” may be hotter than visitors expect. If you do not eat chili, tell the restaurant clearly before ordering. Mung bean soup or a dessert may help ease the heat.
• Wugong Mountain gear: The summit is windy, with marked temperature changes. Bring a warm, windproof jacket, such as a shell with an insulating liner, and wear comfortable shoes with good grip. Mountain weather changes quickly, so pack rain gear and sun protection too.
• Museum reservations: The Anyuan Railway and Mine Workers’ Movement Memorial Hall and Pingxiang Museum are both free, but require advance online reservations. They are usually closed on Mondays; confirm opening arrangements before visiting.
• Hiking routes: Stay on officially open trails on Wugong Mountain. Do not follow roadside touts onto so-called “free paths” or take unmarked routes with unofficial guides.
• When to visit: Wugong Mountain and Nielong Cave are busy during holidays. If possible, visit on a weekday morning to reduce cableway waiting times.