The Leisheng Peak of Kongtong Mountain in Pingliang, Gansu province. [Photo/Pingliang government website]

Pingliang is located in eastern Gansu province and serves as the province's eastern gateway for opening-up and development. The city administers one district, one county-level city, and five counties, covering a total area of 11,000 square kilometers. It is home to 34 ethnic groups, including Han, Hui, Mongolian and Manchu.

Pingliang enjoys a strategic location at the crossroads between Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia, and was historically an important hub along the ancient Silk Road. The city is served by an extensive network of highways and railways, while major transport projects are accelerating its transformation into a key transport hub in eastern Gansu.

With a history spanning thousands of years, Pingliang is recognized as one of the important cradles of the Chinese nation and Chinese civilization. More than 3,000 years ago, the ancestors of the Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-256 BC) developed advanced an agricultural civilization in the area. In 376, Pingliang Commandery was officially established, and the name has remained in use ever since.

Pingliang is also known for its rich cultural heritage and as the birthplace of prominent historical figures such as Huangfu Mi, a pioneer in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. The city is represented by four signature cultural themes: the Taoist culture of Kongtong Mountain, the ancient Fuxi culture of Chengji, the mythology of the Queen Mother of the West, and Huangfu Mi's medical legacy. A total of 2,257 archaeological sites from different historical periods have been discovered in the city. It is home to 13 nationally protected cultural heritage sites and more than 40,000 cultural relics in museum collections, including 224 sets of first-class national cultural relics.

Located at around 35 degrees north latitude, Pingliang ranges in elevation from 890 to 2,857 meters and has an average annual temperature of 8.5 C. With a mild climate, distinct seasons, cool summers and relatively mild winters, the city boasts an excellent environment and rich biodiversity. It has been recognized as a national demonstration city for ecological civilization, a National Forest City and a National Excellent Tourism City, earning a reputation as an ideal destination for summer retreats and wellness tourism.

Pingliang is home to more than 100 natural and cultural scenic spots and 47 A-level tourist attractions, receiving nearly 50 million visitors annually. Kongtong Mountain is recognized as one of China's top 10 "most satisfying" scenic destinations for tourists and one of the 50 places in China most worth visiting for international travelers.

Agriculture in Pingliang boasts strong regional advantages and several signature industries with brand values exceeding 10 billion yuan. The Pingliang red cattle industry has grown to more than one million head, with a brand value of 22.28 billion yuan. The city is also recognized as one of China's most suitable regions for apple cultivation. Jingning apples have an annual output of more than 2.5 million metric tons and a brand value of 18.09 billion yuan. The city also supports more than 100,000 mu of authentic medicinal herbs and over 500,000 mu of highland summer vegetables, forming a modern agricultural development framework.

Pingliang's industrial economy is gaining strong momentum, supported by an expanding logistics network and increasingly developed industrial parks. The city has introduced targeted investment policies and efficient, full life-cycle government services as part of efforts to improve the business environment, giving enterprises greater confidence to invest and grow.