Zhanhe District Travel

Zhanhe District, Pingdingshan City, Henan Province — located on the banks of Zhanhe River, embracing lake and mountain scenery, integrating waterfront leisure, historical sites, and ecological wetlands. A 2-day 1-night in-depth tour to enjoy the "one river, one lake, one ancient tomb" and experience the unique style of the interweaving of urban green lung and cultural heritage.

120+

Years of Urban Development History

Provincial-Level Cultural Relic Protection Units

10+

Core Scenic Spots

15+

Specialty Foods

Zhanhe Park - Urban Waterfront Green Corridor

A ribbon-shaped park running through the urban area, with Zhanhe River as the axis, connecting waterfront platforms, landscape bridges, and cultural sculptures, showing a waterfront picture of "clear water, green banks, and beautiful scenery". It is a must-visit place for citizens' leisure and tourists' check-in.

2-Day 1-Night Waterfront Cultural Tour of Zhanhe District

Visit Zhanhe to enjoy the scenery on both banks, explore ancient tombs to recall historical smoke, wander through wetlands to watch ecological charm, taste river delicacies and market flavors, and unlock the unique charm of the water city in central Henan

                    
Trip Duration
2 Days 1 Night

                    
Main Destinations
Zhanhe Park, Baigui Lake Wetland, Matutao'er Tomb, Hebin Square, Zhanhe Museum

                    
Suitable For
Family with kids, leisure walkers, history and culture lovers, natural ecology observers

                    
Per Capita Budget
¥300-¥600

Waterfront Leisure

Zhanhe Park · Hebin Square · Zhanhe Museum

Trip Highlights

Stroll along the Zhanhe River line all day, enjoy the scenery on both banks from Zhanhe Park, feel the market vitality at Hebin Square, visit Zhanhe Museum in the evening to learn about the river's changes, and immerse yourself in the scenery of "city in water, water in city".

Attraction Arrangement

Zhanhe Park

A key municipal-level park, stretching over 10 kilometers along Zhanhe River, divided into four major scenic areas: Spring Blossom, Summer Shade, Autumn Fruit, and Winter Rhyme. It has nine-curved bridge, jade belt bridge, waterfront platforms and other landscapes. Chinese crabapple blossoms in spring and ginkgo turns golden in autumn, making it the "city living room" of Pingdingshan.

Hebin Square

A comprehensive square located on the bank of Zhanhe River, integrating leisure, entertainment and fitness. It has musical fountain, open-air stage, fitness equipment and other facilities. The lights are bright at night, and citizens often dance square dance and sing Yu opera, full of life atmosphere.

Zhanhe Museum

A museum specially displaying the history and governance of Zhanhe River. Through cultural relics, pictures, multimedia and other forms, it tells the changes of Zhanhe River from a natural river to an urban ecological corridor, showing the development process of "governing water to prosper the city".

Practical Information

Accommodation Recommendations

Boutique Hotel on the Bank of Zhanhe River
Downtown Business Hotel
River View Homestay

Food Recommendations

Zhanhe Crispy Fish
Old Street Spicy Soup
Zhanhe Shrimp Tail
Handmade Dumplings

Travel Tips

Bicycles can be rented for touring Zhanhe Park (¥20/hour)
The musical fountain at Hebin Square is open from 19:30 to 20:00 (weekends)
It is recommended to bring a camera to shoot the sunset over Zhanhe River

Ecological Culture

Baigui Lake Wetland · Matutao'er Tomb · Return Trip

Trip Highlights

Explore Baigui Lake National Urban Wetland Park in the morning to watch birds and enjoy the scenery close to nature; visit Matutao'er Tomb in the afternoon to trace the historical relics of the Yuan Dynasty; stroll around the characteristic block to purchase souvenirs in the evening and end the trip to return.

Attraction Arrangement

Baigui Lake National Urban Wetland Park (Zhanhe Section)

The core area of the national-level wetland park, with vast waters and rich vegetation, inhabited by more than 200 species of birds such as egrets and wild ducks. It has bird watching platforms, wooden plank roads, science popularization halls, making it an ideal place for ecological sightseeing and science education.

Matutao'er Tomb

A provincial-level cultural relic protection unit, the tomb of Matutao'er, a third-rank official of the Yuan Dynasty. It has existing tombstone, stone figures, stone animals and other remains. The epitaph records his life story, which is an important physical object for studying the official positions and burial customs of the Yuan Dynasty.

Zhanhe Characteristic Commercial Street

A block integrating characteristic catering, handicrafts and local specialties. You can taste Zhanhe Whole Fish Banquet, buy intangible cultural heritage products such as clay sculptures and paper-cuts, and experience the local market culture and commercial vitality.

Practical Information

Transportation Guide

Take bus No.24 or No.36 in the urban area to reach Baigui Lake Wetland
Self-driving is recommended for Matutao'er Tomb (about 15 kilometers from the urban area)
Take bus No.1 or No.2 to Zhongxing Road Station for the characteristic commercial street

Ticket Information

Zhanhe Park: Free
Zhanhe Museum: Free (ID card registration required)
Baigui Lake Wetland: ¥30
Matutao'er Tomb: ¥20

Travel Tips

The best bird watching time at Baigui Lake Wetland is 6:30-8:30 in the morning
Visitors to Matutao'er Tomb must abide by the cultural relic protection regulations and are prohibited from touching stone carvings
There are intangible cultural heritage handcraft experience activities on weekends at the characteristic commercial street (14:00-16:00)

Must-Try Foods in Zhanhe District

Zhanhe Crispy Fish

A special delicacy of Zhanhe District, made from fresh crucian carp from Zhanhe River through marinating, frying, stewing and other processes. The bones are crispy and the meat is tender, salty and flavorful. It is named because the meat is so crispy that the whole fish can be eaten, and it is a common dish at local banquets.

Old Street Spicy Soup

Zhanhe Shrimp Tail

A summer special delicacy, made from the tails of crayfish from Baigui Lake, stir-fried with chili, Chinese prickly ash and other seasonings. It is spicy and fragrant with Q-tender meat, which is a popular dish at the night market on the bank of Zhanhe River and loved by young people.

Caozhen Steamed Vermicelli Cake

A traditional snack originating from Caozhen Township, Zhanhe District, made from sweet potato starch, steamed with minced meat, green onion, ginger and other ingredients. It can be fried or stir-fried, with a chewy taste, and is a must-have dish at local farmhouse banquets.

Travel Tips for Zhanhe District

Best Travel Time

Spring (March-April): Chinese crabapple and cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Zhanhe Park, and migratory birds in the wetland have not moved
Summer (June-August): Night tour of Zhanhe to enjoy the lights and taste night market foods such as shrimp tails
Autumn (September-October): The weather is cool, suitable for wetland hiking and historical site visiting

Must-Try Foods

Zhanhe Crispy Fish
Old Street Spicy Soup
Zhanhe Shrimp Tail
Caozhen Steamed Vermicelli Cake
Handmade Oil Cakes

Budget Reference

Tickets: About ¥50
Accommodation: ¥120-200 per night
Catering: ¥60-100 per day
Transportation: About ¥30
Total: ¥300-600

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a boat tour on Zhanhe River? → There is a cruise ship project (¥30 per person, open in summer)
Do I need to bring binoculars to Baigui Lake Wetland? → Binoculars are available for rent in the park (¥10 per time)
Which restaurant has the most authentic Zhanhe Crispy Fish? → "Old Zhanhe Fish Restaurant" on Zhanhe South Road (25 years of history)
Is there a guide service at Matutao'er Tomb? → Paid guide service is provided (¥30 per time)

Explore Travel in Each District and County of Pingdingshan City