Stand on the bank of the Shihe River at dusk and the Guishan Pavilion rises above the water in the style of a Jiangnan garden, its reflection breaking into pieces with every passing ripple. Xinyang sits in the southernmost part of Henan, where the Dabie Mountains meet a humid subtropical climate, and the city's pleasures are mostly of this kind: water, hills, tea and old stone.
This guide suits travellers who want a slow few days in a Chinese city that is not built around a single monument, and who are happy to spend a morning on a lake, an afternoon in a teahouse and an evening walking a riverbank. It covers the sights named in the source material, plus the annual tea festival and one unusual bookstore.
Top things to do in Xinyang
1. Jigong Mountain
Jigong Mountain sits beside National Highway 107 in Shihe District and is open around the clock. Two caves are the draw here: the Bat Cave, with its bizarre stalactites and stalagmites, and the Changsheng Cave, a rock cave.
Because the site never closes, you can time your visit to avoid the middle of the day. Entry is ¥59.9, and the phone number listed for the site is +86 376-6912058.
2. Nanwan Lake
Nanwan Lake lies on Nanwan Street in Shihe District and has a history of more than 1,500 years. Within the scenic area you can go boating, and you can also take in the waterfall.
The site is open 08:00–17:00 and entry is ¥60. The phone number listed is +86 376-6379061. Pair it with the Guishan Pavilion later the same day, since both are about water and both reward the softer light.
3. Jingju Temple
Jingju Temple was the source of the first Chinese section of the Buddhist Tiantai school, from the fifth year of Tianbao in the Northern Qi Dynasty (554 CE), after the saint monk Huisi came to the temple. The "Emperor entitled Brahma Temple" bestowed by Emperor Shenzong of Song is still conserved there.
It is open 07:00–19:00, and the phone number listed is +86 376-8576686. Go earlier rather than later if you want the quietest hours.
4. Guishan Pavilion
Guishan Pavilion is one of the new eight sceneries in Xinyang and stands on the bank of the Shihe River. It is rich in Jiangnan garden style, and its commanding position means that from the top you get a panoramic view of both banks.
This is a natural end to a day that has already taken in the lake, and the climb is short enough to fit in before dark.
5. Xinyang Tea Culture Festival
The Xinyang Tea Culture Festival runs from 28 to 30 April each year and is a commercial and trade festival for the Chinese tea industry.
If your trip falls in late April, build your days around it rather than treating it as an add-on. Outside those dates, the city's tea culture is still the thread that ties the region together.
6. Train bookstore
The train bookstore is exactly what the name suggests: a bookstore made out of old trains, where you can have a cup of coffee and read a book. It is a good way to spend an afternoon.
Treat it as a rest day or a rainy-day option rather than a sight to rush through.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Nanwan Lake when it opens at 08:00. Boat on the water and walk to the waterfall while the day is still cool.
Afternoon: Head to Jigong Mountain on National Highway 107. The site is open 24 hours, so you are not racing a closing time; see the Bat Cave and the Changsheng Cave at your own pace.
Evening: Finish at Guishan Pavilion on the bank of the Shihe River, climbing to the top for the panoramic view of both banks as the light goes.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Xinyang Tea Culture Festival held?
It is held from 28 to 30 April every year, as a commercial and trade festival for the Chinese tea industry.
What are the opening hours and prices for Nanwan Lake?
Nanwan Lake is open 08:00–17:00 and entry is ¥60. It is on Nanwan Street in Shihe District.
Is Jigong Mountain open at night?
Yes. Jigong Mountain is listed as open 24 hours, and entry is ¥59.9. It is beside National Highway 107 in Shihe District.
What can I see inside Jingju Temple?
The temple was the source of the first Chinese section of the Buddhist Tiantai school from 554 CE, and the "Emperor entitled Brahma Temple" bestowed by Emperor Shenzong of Song is still conserved there. It is open 07:00–19:00.
Decide whether your dates land on the tea festival, then build the rest of the trip around the lake, the mountain and the riverbank.