Pingxiang

( travelchinaguide.com, Wikipedia, chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2011-08-23

Location of Pingxiang within Jiangxi

Location: Pingxiang is located in the western part of Jiangxi province, bordered on the north and the west by Hunan province, with a distance of 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Changsha. It is 280 kilometers (174 miles) from the provincial capital, Nanchang.

Physical Features: Its geographic type is simple. The city belongs to the hilly area of South China. The terrain of Pingxiang is higher in the north and the southeast, while lower in the central.

Climate Features: The city belongs to the subtropical zone enjoying a humid monsoon climate. It has plentiful sunshine and abundant rainfall, with an annual average temperature of 17.3 ℃ (63.1 ℉). The weather in winter is moderate and the summer is hot.

Demographics: The population of the total administrative area of Pingxiang is estimated to be 1,800,000. Most of them are Han people. The city covers an area of 3,827 square kilometers (1,478 square miles).

History：The territory of present Pingxiang city successively belonged to the Wu Kingdom and the Chu Kingdom in Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-221 BC). In the year of 267, Pingxiang county was set here, and in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Pingxiang was exalted to a prefecture.

Zongping Lane--a century-old mine

When to Go: Spring and autumn are the beat seasons to travel to Pingxiang. Visitors can go out for a walk in the county in spring and enjoy the beautiful autumn landscape in mountains. Special Local Foods: bacon, honey wine, Hua Guo (peculiar and sweet local food made of melons and vegetables)

Scenic spots:

Wugongshan National Geopark: The Wugong Mountain is one of the three famous mountains in South China. The Wugongshan scenic area was promoted to national geopark status in 2005. Sub-alpine meadows, waterfalls and rare plants make the mountain the most famous attraction in Jiangxi province.

Yilong Cave: Formed 180 million years ago, the Yilong Cave is a natural karst cave. This grand cave is 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles) long, and the 18-meter-high (59-foot-high) waterfall is the highlight of the cave.

A Confucius temple in Pingxiang

Travel Tips:

1. Brass music and Caicha Drama are representatives of Pingxiang's folk art, by which visitors can get a better understanding of the local customs while traveling here.

2. In the ticket office of the China Eastern Airlines in No 1-3, Jianshe Road (Middle), Pingxiang downtown, special buses to Changsha Huanghua International Airport are available to facilitate visitors' journeys.