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Yingtan Cave (鹰潭石窟/石人山景区)
Within the Shirenshan Scenic Area south of Pingdingshan, the karst cave system is the headline natural attraction. The cave complex extends for several kilometres underground through formations of stalactites, stalagmites, and cave pools that rank among the more impressive in central China.
The main accessible cave section follows a 2km lit route through chambers of varying scale. The largest chamber reaches ceiling heights of 40+ metres, with formations that have been given whimsical names (Dragon King Hall, Crystal Palace, etc.) in the Chinese tradition. The cave maintains a constant temperature of around 16°C — a relief in Henan summers.
Entry: ¥75 per person for the cave section. The broader Shirenshan Scenic Area (with mountain hiking, cable car, and other features) has a combined ticket of ¥168.
Opening hours: 8am-5pm. Allow 2-3 hours for the cave and surrounding area.
Baiyun Mountain (白云山国家森林公园)
About 80km southwest of Pingdingshan city, in the Lushan County area, Baiyun Mountain National Forest Park is one of Henan’s most impressive scenic areas — with peaks reaching 2,153m, waterfalls, granite formations, and some of the most extensive old-growth forest in the province.
The main attractions include: the Yunu Peak (云玉峰) summit area, the Baiyun waterfall series (several cascades totalling 80m drop), and the cable car connecting the base to the upper forest area.
Entry: ¥120 per person. Cable car additional ¥80 one-way up. Open 7:30am-5:30pm.
Hiking: Several trails of varying difficulty. The summit circuit takes 4-5 hours. The waterfall trail is excellent in late summer and early autumn when water flow is highest.
Shimantan Reservoir (石漫滩水库)
A large reservoir set in rolling hills about 20km south of Pingdingshan city, Shimantan is primarily used for weekend recreation by local residents. Boat tours of the reservoir (¥30-50 per person), fishing, and lakeside hiking are the main activities. The surrounding hills are forested and pleasant for walking.
Henan Fang City and Dabie Mountain Area
Fangcheng County to the south of Pingdingshan contains some of the most rugged mountain scenery in Henan, as part of the Dabie Mountain range. This area is genuinely off the tourist map for international visitors — which means it’s also entirely unoptimised for tourism. Local guesthouses are basic (¥80-150 per night) but the hiking in the Funiu mountain foothills here is excellent.
Getting to Pingdingshan
By High-Speed Train from Zhengzhou: Pingdingshan East (平顶山东) station is on the Zhengzhou-Wuhan high-speed line. From Zhengzhou East: approximately 50-60 minutes, tickets ¥85-130. Multiple daily services.
From Luoyang: High-speed trains via Zhengzhou, total approximately 2 hours. Direct services also available.
From Wuhan: Approximately 1.5-2 hours on the high-speed line.
Within Pingdingshan: Taxis (starting fare ¥7) and Didi are the most practical. The main natural attractions are in the surrounding counties — renting a car or arranging a day-tour driver (¥300-500 per day) from the city gives much better flexibility.
Where to Stay
Pingdingshan city centre: Budget hotels (¥100-200), mid-range chains (¥200-400). The city is functional rather than beautiful, but the accommodation is adequate.
Near scenic areas: Guesthouses near Shirenshan and Baiyun Mountain, ¥120-300. Staying near the scenic areas makes morning entry easy.
Local Cuisine
Pingdingshan is coal country — the city grew up around the coalfields and the food culture reflects the working-class heritage.
Flat noodles (扁面/刀削面): Wide, flat wheat noodles in various preparations. A Henan staple done well here.
Lamb soup (羊肉汤): Milky white lamb bone broth served at breakfast with bread — a central Henan morning ritual. About ¥15-25 per bowl.
Jiamu Vegetables (野菜): Wild mountain vegetables from the Funiu mountain foraging tradition — available at restaurants near the scenic areas.
Combining with Nearby Henan Attractions
Pingdingshan’s great advantage is its position in central Henan:
- Dengfeng (Shaolin Temple, Songshan): 90 minutes by road or 1.5 hours by train. The world-famous Shaolin Monastery and the Song Mountain landscape are natural companions.
- Luoyang (Longmen Grottoes, Peony Festival): 2 hours by high-speed rail. One of China’s richest historical cities.
- Nanyang (汉代冶铁遗址): An hour south, an important Han dynasty iron-smelting archaeological site.
Practical Tips
Best time: April-May (spring wildflowers, comfortable temperatures) and September-November (autumn colours in the mountain areas). Avoid July-August for outdoor activities if possible — Henan summers are genuinely hot (35-40°C).
Coal city context: Pingdingshan is in transition from heavy industry toward tourism and services. The city centre is functional rather than charming, but the natural areas around it are genuine. Don’t judge the destination by the city alone.
English language: Very limited outside hotel reception desks. Download offline translation tools and have key addresses in Chinese characters.
Pingdingshan rewards the off-road instinct — the impulse to look at the tourist map and head deliberately for the blank spaces. Not every destination needs to be famous to be worth visiting, and central China’s landscapes deserve better representation in international travel itineraries.