Jincheng

Jincheng (晋城; Jìnchéng) is a small city in Shanxi Province in China. It is not a common tourist destination, but there are a few noteworthy destinations within Jincheng prefecture, outside the city. Like most Chinese cities its size English is not commonly spoken, even in places the traveler might expect such as large hotels and restaurants. In addition, most locals speak a local dialect or speak Chinese with a strong local accent. Travelers who speak standard Chinese will discover occasional difficulties, but should generally be able to communicate with locals most of the time. Jincheng is similar to other small cities in China.

Get in

By plane

Jincheng does not have a commercial airport although flights are available from nearby Changzhi and Zhengzhou. If you arrive at Zhengzhou Airport, you can get a high-speed train to Jincheng from there.

By train

There are two major railway stations in Jincheng:

  • 🌍 Jincheng Railway Station (晋城站), 98 Yingbin Street, Cheng District (城区迎宾街98号) (bus nos. 2, 13, 19 and 31). Serves regular-speed trains only. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Jincheng East Railway Station (晋城东站), Danhe Expressway, Zezhou County (泽州县丹河快线) (bus nos. 110, 111, 112 and 319). Serves high-speed trains only. Most trains heading to Jincheng these days are high-speed trains, so this is now Jincheng's busiest station. Trains from Taiyuan, Shanxi's provincial capital, take about 1.5 to 2 hours to get here. Trains from Zhengzhou take about 1 to 1.5 hours, though if you're coming from the airport station, it will take a bit longer. (updated Jul 2023)

Get around
  • by taxi: Taxis in Jincheng usually run the meter so no negotiation is necessary with drivers. The meter starts at ¥5. Do not expect the taxi drivers to speak either English or standard Chinese.
  • by bus: The city has many buses. Most are ¥1, except for special longer-distance buses which travel to and from the suburbs and neighboring towns and villages. These longer-distance city buses often cost ¥2.
  • by bicycle: There are still many bikes in Jincheng although they seem to be increasingly replaced with electric bicycles and scooters. The city is relatively flat so cycling is easy. On large streets bicycles ride in a separated one-way road parallel to the main road. On some streets the bicycles have been pushed into smaller bike lanes paved into the sidewalk. If you ride on such bike lanes note that the sidewalks are used for parking and there are often cars coming and going on the bike lane. Bicycles do not have the right of way. It is also common to see motorcycles driving the wrong way down the bike path, sometimes at great speed.
  • on foot: The city is small enough that those who enjoy a long walk should be able to travel across the city on foot in a reasonable amount of time. Be aware of the many hazards to pedestrians. Green pedestrian signals are not a guarantee that it is safe to cross. Cars turning right rarely slow down. Cars parked on the sidewalk and other obstacles will often force pedestrians onto the street. Drivers are accustomed to this, but do not expect to have the right of way as a pedestrian. Like many cities in China, manhole covers are often missing, so watch carefully where you step.

See
  • Lingchuan Red Maple (陵川红叶), Lingchuan County (陵川县). Lingchuan County, in the northeast of Jincheng, is famous for its red maple trees. The best place to see them is reportedly in the area about 20 km south of the county seat, particularly along the stretch of road between Huaishuling Village (槐树岭村) and the township of Duohuo (夺火乡). The leaves of the maple trees are at their most colorful during the months of October and November. 
  • 🌍 Manghe National Nature Reserve (蟒河国家级自然保护区, Mang River National Nature Reserve, 蟒河生态旅游区 Mang River Ecotourism Area), Manghe Village, Manghe Town, Yangcheng County (阳城县蟒河镇蟒河村) (take bus no. 202 from Jincheng East Bus Station), ☏ +86 356 4868240, +86 356 4227100. 08:00-17:00 (low season), 08:00-17:30 (high season), no entry after 16:30. ¥72. 
  • 🌍 Yuhuang Temple (玉皇庙, Jade Emperor Temple), S332 Fucheng Village, Jincun Town, Zezhou County (泽州县金村镇府城村S332) (take either bus 319 or the East Bus Station-Xiihedi (客运东站-西河底) bus line). 08:30-18:30. A large Taoist temple dating from the Song Dynasty. The temple is noteworthy for it's many old sculptures, particuarly the figurines representing the 28 mansions of Chinese astronomy. ¥20. 
  • 🌍 Jincheng Museum (晋城博物馆), 1263 Fengtai Street East, Cheng District (城区凤台东街1263号) (in the southeast corner of Zezhou Park; take bus no. 4 (inner or outer circle routes), 5 (subroute), 8 (inner circle route), 12, 16, 19, 36 or 50), ☏ +86 356 6965144. 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:00, closed on Mondays. Jincheng's main museum. Holds over 20,000 artefacts. Free. (updated Feb 2022)
  • 🌍 House of the Huangcheng Chancellor (皇城相府), No. 2 Huangcheng Village, Beiliu Town, Yangcheng County (阳城县北留镇皇城村2号) (take bus 201 from Jincheng East Bus Station), toll-free: +86 356 4858062. 08:00-18:00. ¥120. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Ancient City of Guoyu (郭峪古城), Guoyu Village, Beiliu Town, Yangcheng County (阳城县北留镇郭峪村) (take bus 201 from Jincheng East Bus Station), ☏ +86 356 6922226, . Summer: Su-Th 08:00-18:00, F Sa public holidays 08:00-18:30; winter: daily 08:00-17:30. A walled village with many old residences dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The village is only about 300 meters from the House of the Huangcheng Chancellor. ¥35. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Xiangyu Castle (湘峪古堡), Xiangyu Village, Zhengcun Town, Qinshui County (沁水县郑村镇湘峪村) (take bus 208 from Jincheng East Bus Station), ☏ +86 356 3251100. Daily 08:00-17:00. Another fortified village full of well-preserved historic buildings. It was built in the early 17th century by the Sun brothers, who held important positions in the Ming bureaucracy. The uniquely-designed walls are particularly impressive. ¥50. (updated Jul 2023)

Do

Natural reserves such as Wangmangling & Magadang.

Sleep
  • Yibin Grand Hotel (晋城颐宾大酒店). 
  • Sunshine Hotel (晋城阳光大酒店). 
  • Lanhua Hotel (山西兰花大酒店). 
  • Jinnian Hotel (晋城金辇大酒店). 
  • Jincheng Grand Hotel (晋城大酒店). 
  • Pacific Hotel (晋城太平洋大厦). 

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