Pingdingshan

Named after its origin - the official klin in Ruzhou of Pingdingshan, Ru ware was recognized as one of the top five porcelains in Song Dynasty and extolled for its grayish blue glaze resembling the sky after the rain. [Photo/Information Office of Henan Provincial People's Government]

Pingdingshan is situated in mid-southern Henan. The city covers an area of 7,882 square kilometers with a total population of 4,987,137 (the 7th national census) and it administers 10 counties (cities or districts). It's 100 kilometers away from Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport.

Pingdingshan enjoys lovely environment and is home to lots of scenic spots and historic sites. For instance, Three Su Tombs of the great writer Su Xun and his two sons in the Song Dynasty, the picturesque Yao Mountain - a natural reserve and Shimantan National Forest Park which integrates mountains, streams, lakes with towns.

With 57 kinds of proven mineral reserves, Pingdingshan sits on rich natural resources. Its raw coal reserve totals 10.3 billion tons and iron reserve 606.4 billion tons. China Pingmei Shenma Group has the widest range of production for coking coal and steam coal in China. It's also the biggest company for nylon chemical products in Asia .Pingdingshan Yaomeng Power Generation Corporation serves as a major power plant for Central China Grid Company. Pingdingshan Tianying Group is a leading enterprise of heavy electrical equipment in China. Wheat and tobacco are Pingdingshan's dominant crops. The latter has long enjoyed a high reputation and the city is one of the three main tobacco-producing areas in China. Jiaxian Red Cattle is one of the eight fine-breed cattle in China and Jiaxian County is thus designated by the state as a special base for cattle-breeding. Local special products such as Baofeng Liquor, Ru Porcelain and boccaro ceramics are renowned at home and abroad.

Pingdingshan has set up sister city relationship with five cities including Andong of South Korea, Syzran of Russia and Lauenburg of Germany.