4-Day Tour of Pingdingshan | Classic Combination of Yao Mountain and Central Plains Giant Buddha・Suitable for All Groups

Pingdingshan is a hidden mountain and water paradise on the eastern foothills of the Funiu Mountains. It features the strange stones and sea of clouds of Yao Mountain, the solemn and awe-inspiring Central Plains Giant Buddha, and the waterfalls and streams of Huamei Valley. Pray for blessings with the elderly in front of the Buddha, accompany children fishing in the canyon—here, every day you can encounter the peaceful symphony of nature and faith. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview Day 1: Arrive in Pingdingshan → Yao Mountain Scenic Area → Yao Mountain Cableway Day 2: Central Plains Giant Buddha → Huamei Valley Day 3: Erlang Mountain → Dengtai Jia Day 4: Pingdingshan Museum → Baigui Lake National Wetland Park → Return ⛰️ Day 1: Yao Mountain Scenery · Cloud Exploration 📍 Yao Mountain Scenic Area (5A, ticket 65 RMB, sightseeing bus 25 RMB) Highlights: Known as the "Unique Beauty of Central Plains," it features strange stones like "Stone Man Peak" and "General Stone." In autumn, the mountains are covered with red leaves; in winter, the ice waterfalls sparkle. Elderly visitors can take the sightseeing bus to the cableway station (less walking). Children can play in the "Nine-Bend Waterfall." Climbing to the Jade Emperor Peak offers a sea of clouds sunrise view (early start required). 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00 (April to October), recommended 9:00-16:00 💰 Fees: Adults 65 RMB, free for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.4 meters 📸 Photo Spot: Jade Emperor Peak viewing platform (take photos with people in front of the sea of clouds, background of strange stones) 💡 Tips: The cableway has two sections (uphill 80 RMB + 60 RMB); seniors are advised to take the full ride; mountain paths are steep, hold children’s hands. 📍 Yao Mountain Cableway (fee includes both upper and lower sections, 140 RMB) Highlights: Asia’s longest single-line loop cableway, offering views of vast pine forests and deep canyon pools. Seniors can enjoy the scenery effortlessly, and children will be thrilled by the view below. 🕙 Recommended Time: 10:00-11:30 🍜 Recommended Dining: "Farmhouse Restaurant" at the foot of Yao Mountain, must-try Lan Guo Dish (35 RMB/serving, mixed meat and vegetables), and Jiang noodles (8 RMB/bowl), average 30 RMB per person, very home-style flavor. 🏨 Recommended Accommodation: "Tianrui Hot Spring Hotel" in Yao Mountain Scenic Area (family rooms available, includes hot springs), prices 400-600 RMB/night, good for relieving fatigue. 🙏 Day 2: Buddha Pilgrimage · Canyon Exploration 📍 Central Plains Giant Buddha (5A, ticket 120 RMB) Highlights: The world’s tallest bronze standing Buddha at 208 meters, surrounded by the Buddha’s hand and Fuquan Temple. Seniors can take a sightseeing bus to the Buddha’s front (20 RMB/person). Children can touch the "World’s Largest Palm" (proportional to the Buddha’s hand). Blessing plaques (20 RMB each) can be hung on the blessing wall. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended 9:00-11:30 📸 Photo Spot: At the foot of the Buddha (take full-body Buddha photos, stand in the middle of the steps) 💡 Tips: Free incense is available (3 sticks per person), avoid buying expensive incense; listen to the bell at Fuquan Temple (10 RMB for 3 rings). 📍 Huamei Valley (4A, ticket 60 RMB) Highlights: "The First Waterfall Group in Central Henan," featuring "Six-Tier Waterfall" and "Water Curtain Cave." In summer, the waterfalls look like curtains due to large water volume. Seniors can stroll along gentle trails, children can fish for small fish in "Red Stone Gorge" (bring a net), and the wooden plank paths through bamboo forests are great for photos. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30, recommended 14:00-17:00 💡 Tips: The canyon is cool and shady, bring a light jacket; wear non-slip shoes (lots of moss). 🌊 Day 3: Erlang Mountain Waves · Dengtai Jia Exploration 📍 Erlang Mountain (4A, ticket 65 RMB) Highlights: A mountain and water scenic area beside the Shiman Beach Reservoir, featuring a glass suspension bridge (50 RMB/person) and bamboo raft drifting (40 RMB/person). Seniors can listen to legends in front of the "Erlang God Statue," children can play on the "Water Suspension Bridge" (free). In summer, the "Water Park" is open for water play (ticket included). 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended 9:00-13:00 📸 Photo Spot: Middle of the suspension bridge (take photos with people in the center of the bridge, reservoir in the background) 📍 Dengtai Jia (4A, ticket 55 RMB) Highlights: Named for its main peak resembling a lighthouse, it features a "100-meter cliff plank road" and a "Heavenly Pool." Seniors can take a sightseeing bus to the core area (20 RMB/person). Children can watch wild macaques in "Monkey Mansion Cave" (do not feed). Autumn red leaves and strange stones create a beautiful scene. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30, recommended 14:30-17:00 💡 Tips: The plank road is narrow, avoid peak times; bring water, few shops in the scenic area. 🏛️ Day 4: Cultural Museum · Lakeside Finale 📍 Pingdingshan Museum (4A, free, reservation required) Highlights: Collections include the "Ying State Jade Eagle" and "Ru Kiln Porcelain," with an "Eagle City Culture" exhibition (Pingdingshan’s ancient name is "Eagle City"). The children’s area offers "Cultural Relics Puzzles" (free). Seniors can view the "Coal Mining History Exhibition" to learn about Pingdingshan’s industrial history. 🕙 Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed Mondays), recommended 9:00-11:00 📍 Baigui Lake National Wetland Park (free) Highlights: Known as the "City’s Kidney" of Pingdingshan, it has bird-watching platforms and reed marshes. Seniors can stroll on the "Lakeside Trail," children can play with water guns on the "Water-Friendly Platform." The rapeseed flower fields in spring are stunning. 🕙 Recommended Time: 14:00-16:00 🍜 Recommended Dining: "Pingdingshan Hui Mian King" in the city, must-try lamb noodle soup (16 RMB/bowl) and sugar cake (3 RMB each), average 25 RMB per person, authentic local flavor. ✨ Pingdingshan Survival Guide 1️⃣ Transportation: From the city to Yao Mountain take the tourist shuttle (20 RMB/person, 2 hours), taxi about 150 RMB; Central Plains Giant Buddha is 10 minutes by taxi from Yao Mountain, taxi 20 RMB; car rental recommended between scenic spots (200 RMB/day, suitable for elderly and children). 2️⃣ Clothing: Wear windproof jackets in spring and autumn (Yao Mountain, Dengtai Jia are windy), short sleeves and quick-dry pants in summer (for playing in Huamei Valley), down jackets and non-slip shoes in winter (Yao Mountain has snow), bring hiking shoes (many steps in scenic areas). 3️⃣ Taboos: No loud noises or photography inside temples; do not stand on bamboo rafts at Erlang Mountain (dangerous); do not touch exhibits in the museum. 4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay near Yao Mountain/Central Plains Giant Buddha for the first two days (guesthouses 200-300 RMB/night), then stay in the city for the last two days. For children, choose places with electric kettles; for elderly, choose places with good heating (in winter). 🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs ① Ru Kiln Tea Sets (100-300 RMB/set, specialty of Ru County, Pingdingshan, with warm porcelain texture) ② Lushan Lan Guo Dish Instant Pack (30 RMB/bag, heat and eat, easy to carry) ③ Yao Mountain Wild Delicacies Gift Box (50-100 RMB/box, includes wild mushrooms and wood ear fungus) ④ Central Plains Giant Buddha Cultural Products (Blessing plaques 20 RMB each, Buddha pendants 30 RMB each) The wonder of Pingdingshan lies in the divine craftsmanship of Yao Mountain’s strange stones; its tranquility is in the incense smoke curling at the foot of the Giant Buddha. Whether you pray for your parents’ health in front of the Buddha, chase waterfalls with children in the canyon, or shout your heart out with friends on the suspension bridge, this place offers a comforting power. If you come to Pingdingshan, would you rather first visit the Central Plains Giant Buddha or wait for a sea of clouds at Yao Mountain?