Encheng
Introduction
Encheng is a town in Pingyuan County, part of Dezhou in northwestern Shandong province. It sits in the far northwest of the province, a corner of China where Shandong meets the North China Plain.
Getting around
Encheng is compact and flat, so walking covers most of what you'll want to see: the main streets, the county central square and the morning markets are all easiest on foot. Many establishments close for a lunch break in the early afternoon, so time your walks around that. Residents commonly get around by bicycle and electric scooter, which suit the flat terrain well.
Buses are the backbone of public transport, linking the town centre with the outskirts and neighbouring county settlements; there is no metro or tram network. They run at intervals of roughly 15 to 30 minutes during the day, and get very overcrowded in the early morning and late afternoon, so plan off-peak trips where you can. Pingyuan bus station is the departure point for longer-distance buses to neighbouring cities. Taxis are available and the Didi ride-hailing app works in the area, making them the most practical choice for outlying parts of town or once buses have stopped for the day. English is rarely spoken, so have an offline translator and your hotel's address written in Chinese characters before you set out, and expect bus signage and announcements in Chinese only. Keep small change or a mobile payment method ready for buses, and carry cash in yuan, since foreign cards are rarely accepted and international ATMs are found mainly in Dezhou rather than in Encheng itself.
Three days in Encheng
Day one: Start in Encheng, the county seat of Pingyuan County in Shandong, on the North China Plain. Get your bearings on foot and keep your Chinese phrasebook handy, as English is not widely spoken. Many residents use buses and taxis to get around, and Didi is available for rides. Keep some cash on hand and use ATMs when you need to top up.
- Explore central Encheng on foot
- Use buses, taxis or Didi to reach outlying parts of town
- Withdraw cash from ATMs
Day two: Use Encheng as your base for exploring Pingyuan County. Buses connect the town with surrounding areas, and taxis or Didi can fill the gaps. Expect to rely on Chinese rather than English when asking for directions or buying tickets.
- Take a bus into Pingyuan County
- Return to Encheng for the evening
Day three: Head further afield towards Dezhou in Shandong, using buses or taxis from Encheng. Keep your Chinese handy for transport and everyday exchanges, and plan your cash needs around ATMs before you set out.
- Travel towards Dezhou
- Keep enough cash for the day