Pingxiang

Pingxiang is a city in Jiangxi Province, China.

Understand

Pingxiang (萍乡市) (lit. "duckweed village") is located on the west edge of Jiangxi Province, bordering Hunan Province. Although it is called a "city" ("市"), it is not equivalent to the western concept of a "city" (i.e. a continuous urban developed area). Pingxiang has a total area of 1,478 square miles. It has a population of 1.8 million (2006 figure), of which only a quarter lives in the urban area. It is primarily a commercial and transportation hub.

Administratively, it is comprised of 2 urban districts (Anyuan (安源区) in the middle, Xiangdong (湘东区) to the west), and 3 counties (Lianhua (莲花县) to the south, Shangli (上栗县) to the north, Luxi (芦溪县) to the east). Confusingly, Xiangdong, although called a district ("区"), is physically about the same area as the counties ("县").

By far the largest urban area ("城区") is located in Anyuan district, although the Anyuan district is much larger than the urban area. Unless otherwise noted, all attractions are in the Anyuan urban district.

Pingxiang has historically not been much of a tourist destination. They are actively trying to change that, focusing on the natural beauty, the events that occurred here important to early CCP history, and minority culture. However, they are still in the early stages of this process, so travelers should keep that in mind (e.g. minimal English is spoken).

Get in

By Plane

Pingxiang has no airport with regularly scheduled flights. The closest airports are Huanghua International Airport in Changsha (90 minutes drive) and Changbei International Airport in Nanchang (3 hours drive).

From Changsha airport, the airport maglev line takes you to Changsha South Station, where you can catch a high-speed train to Pingxiang North Station. There are three airport coaches per day that go direct between the airport and the Dongfang Hotel (萍乡东方宾馆). Alternatively, one can take the bus to the Hunan Civil Aviation Hotel (民航大酒店) (departures about every 20 minutes), and from there it is a two block walk to the Changsha train station. shuttle bus routes.

By Train

• 1 Pingxiang North Railway Station (萍乡北站). This is a major station on the Hangzhou-Changsha high-speed rail line, and has high-speed services to many large cities throughout China. (updated Jul 2018)
• 2 Pingxiang Railway Station (萍乡火车站). Located on the north side of town, this station on the main rail line between Changsha and Nanchang serves low-speed trains, notably sleeper trains. It has over 100 trains per day , with service to cities throughout China. (updated Jul 2018)

By Bus

• 3 Pingxiang south bus station (萍乡汽车站). The main bus station is in the south of town. (updated Jul 2018)
• 4 Pingxiang Bus Station (萍乡长途汽车客运站). This smaller bus station has buses to several nearby destinations, notably including minibuses to Wugongshan. (updated Jul 2018)

Get around

Taxi

Taxis in the Anyuan urban area of plentiful and very cheap (¥6 at flag drop).

Bus

Anyuan also has an extensive bus system with 28 lines

See

• 1 Anyuan Coal Miners Memorial (安源路矿工人运动纪念馆), Jinggangshan Road (井冈山路). Large square highlighted with a huge high statue of the young Mao Zedong. Contains a museum (革命列士纪念馆)  
• 1 Anyuan Movie Studio (安源影视城). Fake old city used as a movie / TV set. Possible to tour if no filming is in progress. 
• 2 Autumn Harvest Uprising Memorial Square (秋收起义广场). Major square in downtown Anyuan. Large commemorative monument in the middle of the square, with small museum underneath. Fountain with synchronized music / water display. Has a couple of amusement-park-type rides for young kids (weekends only). Go early in the morning to see locals doing their morning exercise. 
• 3 Nielong cave (孽龙洞, Yilong cave,义龙洞) (in Qingxi village, Futian town, Shangli county). Natural karst cave approximately 4 km long. Unfortunately, there exists no convenient public transportation to the cave. (The closest bus stop is about 1.2 km from the cave entrance) ¥40.  
• 4 Pingxiang Confucian Temple (萍乡孔庙). Established at the start of the Tang dynasty, rebuilt in 1654. Extensively damaged during the Cultural Revolution, it has been mostly repaired  

Do

Wugongshan

• 2 Ehu Park (鵝湖公园 -- lit. Goose Lake Park), 189 South Gongyuan Road (公园南路189号). 50 acre park with Chinese-style "playground" (really more exercise equipment for older kids/adults than swings/slides/etc), boat rental, small zoo, amusement park with about 20 rides, athletic facilities 
• 3 Pingxiang Museum (萍乡博物馆). Opened in 2008 and covering 25,000 m², the museum exhibits the environment, economy, history, and culture of the area. The highlights include fossilized dinosaur eggs and a giant (110 kg) mushroom. 
• 5 Wugongshan National Geopark (武功山) (far-east part of the city, bordering the neighboring city of 吉安市). Long ridge with grass on top, which is much more spectacular than it sounds. Good for hiking and camping, also some ancient Taoist altars.  
• 6 Mt. Yangqi (杨岐山).