Jiaxian County

Jiaxian County is located in the northern part of Pingdingshan City, Henan Province, in the transitional zone from the remaining veins of Funiu Mountain to the Huanghuai Plain. It covers an area of 737 square kilometers and has a permanent population of about 560,000 (2023). Jiaxian has a long history, being the territory of Ying State in the Western Zhou Dynasty, and established as a county in the Qin Dynasty, with over 2,200 years of county history. It is the site of the ancient Juntai (Juntian) and the burial place of Su Shi and Su Zhe, known as the Three Su Tombs. Jiaxian is renowned as the 'Hometown of Red Cattle, Capital of Cast Iron, Hometown of Longevity, and Hometown of Calligraphy,' with rich cultural heritage: Jiaxian Confucian Temple (National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit), Linfeng Village (the best-preserved red stone ancient village in Central Plains), and Three Su Garden. The unique 'Jiaxian Red Cattle' breed is famous nationwide, the cast iron industry has a long history, and the traditional 'Jiaxian Hele Noodles' are a provincial intangible cultural heritage. Jiaxian is also a longevity county in China, with a proportion of centenarians higher than the national average.

I. Core Attractions 1. Three Su Garden (Three Su Tombs): Located at Xiaoe'e Mountain, 20 km northwest of the county seat, it is the cenotaph of Su Shi, Su Zhe, and their father Su Xun. The garden covers about 30 mu, with tombs and numerous steles under ancient cypress trees. Admission: 40 yuan, open 8:00-18:00. Suggested visit: 2 hours. Take bus No. 1 from the county to Three Su Garden Station. 2. Jiaxian Confucian Temple: Located on West Street in the county seat, built in the Jin Dynasty, rebuilt in Ming and Qing. The Dacheng Hall is a single-eave hip-and-gable roof building with Qing Dynasty statues of Confucius and his four disciples. Free admission, closed on Mondays. 3. Linfeng Village: Located in Tangjie Town, 13 km southeast of the county seat, built in the late Ming, rebuilt in the Tongzhi period of Qing. The village wall is made of red stone, about 1.5 km in circumference, with three gates. It is the best-preserved red stone ancient village in Central Plains. Admission: 30 yuan. Take the Pingdingshan-Jiaxian bus and get off at Tangjie Town.

II. Cultural Experiences 1. Jiaxian Red Cattle Culture: Jiaxian is a core production area for Chinese red cattle. Visit red cattle breeding bases and taste a whole cattle feast. Recommended 'Red Cattle Feast' restaurants in the county, about 60-80 yuan per person. 2. Cast Iron Craft: Jiaxian's cast iron technology dates back to the Han Dynasty. The county has a Cast Iron Museum displaying traditional iron pots and plows. Free admission.

III. Food Recommendations 1. Jiaxian Hele Noodles: Buckwheat noodles pressed with mutton soup and chili oil, chewy. Recommended 'Old Brand Hele Noodle House' (East Street), about 15 yuan per person. 2. Jiaxian Beef: Tender red cattle beef, available in vacuum packs as souvenirs. 3. Tofu Vegetable: A local vegetarian dish with tofu, vermicelli, and cabbage, light and refreshing.

IV. Transportation 1. External: Jiaxian is about 30 km from Pingdingshan city center. Direct buses from Pingdingshan Railway Station (every 30 minutes, 10 yuan). Self-drive via Zhengzhou-Luanchuan Expressway, Jiaxian exit. 2. Internal: County buses cover main attractions, fare 2 yuan. Taxi starting fare 5 yuan.

V. Recommended Itinerary One-day tour: Morning: Three Su Garden (2 hours) → Lunch: Hele Noodles → Afternoon: Confucian Temple + Linfeng Village (1.5 hours each). Two-day tour: D1: Three Su Garden + Confucian Temple + county food; D2: Linfeng Village + Red Cattle Base + Cast Iron Museum.