Discover Pingdingshan: Temple History, Wetland and Museum

The municipality to which Pingdingshan belongs brings together Buddhist architecture, an urban wetland and a range of cultural themes. This variety offers a starting point for your search for a holiday apartment: first, consider whether temple history, exhibitions or landscapes should be the focus of your trip.

Temple History and Architecture

The Xiangshan Temple complex was founded in the late Eastern Han period on the summit of Huozhu Mountain in the northwest of Xinhua District. It is regarded as a Buddhist cultural site associated with religious activities, Buddhist music and ceremonies. Its story therefore spans an early historical foundation and architectural and written records that have been passed down to the present day.

The Dabeiguanyin Dashi Pagoda in the temple was built in 1068. The brick structure is 33 metres high, octagonal and nine storeys tall; its form is marked by closely spaced roof eaves. The pagoda is protected as a Major National Cultural Heritage Site. Xiangshan Temple also contains 13 stone inscriptions. The best known is the stele “香山大悲菩萨传”: Jiang Zhiqi wrote the text, and Cai Jing provided the calligraphy. The Cai Jing stele in the temple is also protected as a Major National Cultural Heritage Site.

A response from the municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau dated 22 August 2025 listed Xiangshan Temple as a 4A-rated attraction in Pingdingshan. The date of this classification differs from the complex’s long history and the historical information about its pagoda.

Cultural Themes at Yigoucheng Tourism Park

Yigoucheng Tourism Park is known as a destination for cultural experiences, sightseeing, leisure holidays and food. Its attractions include 98 Lane, Future Square, a snack street, the Sun Chariot, the Eagle City Impression Museum and the “我家在鹰城” photography exhibition. This mix combines urban themes with exhibitions and food-related attractions.

Another exhibition, “河南非遗文化展”, focuses on Henan’s intangible cultural heritage. The Cha Taofang and Nigu Taoyi cultural projects were launched in the park in collaboration with the ceramics faculty of Pingdingshan University. In December 2020, Yigoucheng–Mingmen Tourism Park received a national AAA attraction rating.

Wetland and Other Cultural Sites

Bailuzhou Urban Wetland Park was recognised as a National Urban Wetland Park by China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development in 2009. Its artificial lake covers 350 mu, and the wetland area covers 158 mu. Reeds and sweet flag grow there in abundance without being planted. Birds, frogs, reptiles, hares and hedgehogs live in the park, where a small ecosystem has developed. The water, plants and wildlife make this natural area a different focus from the temple complex.

Pingdingshan Museum preserves more than 30,000 cultural artefacts and presents exhibitions on the history and culture of Pingdingshan, as well as urban planning. Four large sculptures stand in Yingcheng Square: “和平” (Peace), “友谊” (Friendship), “歌” (Song) and “舞” (Dance). A more sombre historical perspective is offered by the Huangshanzhai Massacre Memorial: parts of the fortification wall remain, and a memorial stone for the victims of the Huangshan Massacre was erected there.

Choose the Right Focus

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider which themes you want to shape your stay: the history of Xiangshan Temple and its inscriptions, the exhibitions and cultural projects in Yigoucheng, or the landscape of Bailuzhou Park. If you are weighing different interests as a family, this comparison gives you a concrete basis for discussion before narrowing down your search.

Discover more destinations: Zhoukou, Luoyang, Xinyang, Shangqiu, Sanmenxia, Luohe, Zhumadian, Anyang

For the main travel overview: Henan.