Major city · China
Pingliang平凉
Skip unless you are a Taoist pilgrim or have a specific interest in Kongtong Mountain: half a day for the mountain and museum, then move on.
Pingliang sits at the foot of Kongtong Mountain, one of Taoism's sacred peaks, but the city itself is a quiet transport hub. Most travellers pass through on the Xi'an–Lanzhou rail corridor. The mountain and the free Pingliang Museum justify a few hours; there is little else to hold you overnight.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, some mountain trails icy)
- Airports
- XIY · LHW
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Pingliang110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pingliang, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyPingliang is safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportXIY Xi'an Xianyang International (About 4 h by train or bus to Pingliang; the nearest major airport.).
- Getting aroundTaxis (¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) within town) and bus routes 1, 2, 9 cover the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealNoodle bowl (beef or lamb)¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi ride within town¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket (single)¥1–2 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedBudget hostel bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥250 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥400 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥350 (≈ US$50) · High CN¥500 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- XIY Xi'an Xianyang International (About 4 h by train or bus to Pingliang; the nearest major airport.) · LHW Lanzhou Zhongchuan International (About 5 h by train or bus.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pingliang: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
2 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
3 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
3 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis (¥5–10 within town) and bus routes 1, 2, 9 cover the centre. A tourist shuttle runs between the railway station and Kongtong Mountain (check schedule).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kongtong Mountain
goDoor to door: 30 min
Tourist shuttle from railway station or taxi (about 20 min)
Main reason to come; allow 3–4 h for the mountain trails and temples.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near Pingliang Railway Station
Budget hotels and guesthouses; convenient for arrivals/departures.
Kongtong Mountain base area
A few hotels near the park entrance; quieter but limited dining.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥250–400 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ¥400 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hostel bed1 × 1 night × CN¥60 | CN¥60 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥200 | CN¥200 |
| Taxi from railway station to Kongtong Mountain1 × CN¥20 | CN¥20 |
| Kongtong Mountain entrance fee1 × CN¥60 · check | CN¥60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥34 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥374 per person per day, bed included | CN¥374≈ US$55 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Noodle bowl (beef or lamb) | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bottled water (500 ml) | ¥2–3 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi ride within town | ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bus ticket (single) | ¥1–2 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Kongtong Mountain involves a lot of stairs; wear sturdy shoes.
- Pingliang Museum is closed on Mondays; no entry after 16:00.Pingliang Museum is closed on Mondays; no entry after 4:00 PM.
- Train tickets to Xi'an and Lanzhou sell out on Chinese holidays; book ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Pingliang平凉
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请带我去这个地址Please take me to this address
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No foreign consulates in Pingliang; nearest are in Xi'an or Lanzhou.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Pingliang → Xi'an (train): about ¥100–150 (≈ US$14–25), 7 h (check)
- Pingliang → Lanzhou (train): about ¥80–120 (≈ US$12–17), 11 h (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duō shǎo qián?)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?)
- 我不明白 — I don't understand (wǒ bù míng bai)
- 你能帮我吗？ — Can you help me? (nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma?)
Check
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pingliang. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, some mountain trails icy) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Kongtong Mountain and Pingliang Museum with verified opening hours and ticket prices.
- Eat pages for local dishes (check).
Sources
Ask about Pingliang
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