Gongyi Travel Guide

Located in the central hinterland of Henan Province, lying at the northern foot of Mount Song, Gongyi City covers an area of 1041 square kilometers and has a population of 790,000. With 82 kilometers east to Zhengzhou and 76 kilometers west to Luoyang, Gongyi was known as “the key to Luoyang” in ancient times. It has the ethnic groups such as Han, Hui, Uighur, Yi, Miao and Bai, etc. nationalities. They have jurisdiction over 16 towns, 5 subdistrict offices and 290 administrative villages.
 

History

Gongyi was an ancient historic city boasting with many eminent people’s activities and graves. According to the Pre-Qin records, some Chinese ancestors were living here creating a prosperous and stable area. Also Gongyi is thought to be the birthplace of the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu, often considered China's greatest poet. It used to be called Gongbo Guo in the Spring and Autumn Period and Dongzhou in the Warring States Period, and named Gong County 249 BC by Zhuangxiang King of Qin State. In 1991, with the approval of the State Council, Gongyi was changed into a country-level city but still under the jurisdiction of Zhengzhou.
 

Attractions

Due to its central position in Chinese history, Gongyi has an abundance of tourist sites and attractions. The Imperial Tombs of the North Song Dynasty in Gongyi is the national key cultural relic protection unit. Except for Emperor Hui Zong and Qin Zong, the rest of the nine emperors of Northern Song were all buried here. The Snowflake Cave of Fuxishan Mountain Scenic Spot becomes the hotspot of the tourism on the Central Plains for its unique natural land form with mountains and water, ancient, wonderful and deep cultural scenery. Grotto of the North Wei Dynasty enjoys the praise of “place of quiet habit among the stream, mist and rocks”.

Other highlights include Wuzhi Mountain, Kan-Baiwan’s Mansions, Tu Fu’s Native Place, Songyin Scenic Spot, Scene of Qinglong Mountain and some more.
 

Transportation

The Longhai (Lianyungang-Qinghai) Railway, the 310 State Highway and the Lianhuo Expressway traverse Gongyi City from east to west, the Yu 31 Provincial Highway and Jiaogong (Jiaozuo-Gongyi) Yellow River Bridge run through Gongyi city from north to south. The total service mileage has reached 1347 kilometers and it has 6 special railway lines connecting with the national railways. Gongyi Railway Station is located at Guang Ming Lu.

The most convenient way into Gongyi is by train, and trains from most major cities cross through Gongyi. If there is no train to Gongyi, you can also reach Zhengzhou and transfer to Gongyi through train or bus.
 

Climate

Gongyi has four distinct seasons with complicted weather conditions characterized by hot rainy summer and dry windy winter and spring. As a result, the autumn will be the best season to visit Gongyi.
 

Shopping

Within the town, several supermarkets at Renmin Road and Xinhua Road meet your daily needs while stay in Gongyi. Famous ones include Songling Building, Yong’an Emporium, Zijingshu Emporium, Songling Emporium, etc.
 

Food and Restaurants

Henan cuisine, also known as Yu cuisine, has the accolade of being one of China’s most traditional and oldest cooking styles. As the representative of culinary civilization of Central China, Henan cuisine has preserved traditions and made great innovations. The main food in Gongyi must be cooked wheaten food with delicious soup. Here are some local restaurants following:

Kangbaiwan Restaurant: offers some Chinese Top Snacks like Sesame Oil Flavored Duck, Wild Yellow River carp and some private dishes. It is an economical and practical option to enjoy a Henan flavor feast.
Address: East of Kangdian Zhen
Tel: 0371-69582288

Gongyi Tang Wang: offers variety kinds of soup, porridge, baozi and dumpling.
Address: Xianhua Road
Tel: 13849060150

Baisui Hand-Pulled Noodles: offers Hand-Pulled Noodles and Fried Dishes. Most tourists are attracted by their comfortable environment, classic taste and personal service.
Address: Huochang Road
Tel: 18838039219
Price: ¥15- ¥20
 

Tips

1. Local people will hold a special folk Valentine's Days on March 3rd lunar calendar. It’ a day especially when singles showing love to each other.          

2. Gongyi People’s Hospital is located at No. 117 Renmin Road and the telephone number is 0371-64398555.

3. Gongyi Post Bureau Post Office is situated at Xinxing Road. Tel: 451200.