Kongtong district is home to Kongtong Mountain, where Chinese Taoist culture originated. [Photo/Kongtong government website]

Kongtong district is located in eastern Gansu province, on the eastern foothills of the Liupan Mountains and in the upper reaches of the Jinghe River. The district lies at the junction of Gansu, Shaanxi and Ningxia and serves as the political, economic and cultural center of Pingliang city.

Covering a total area of 1,936 square kilometers, the district administers 17 townships and three subdistricts. Railways, expressways and national highways intersect across the region, making Kongtong a transport hub in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia border region.

Kongtong is more than 1,450 years old and has a rich history and culture. More than 150 ancient sites dating back to the Yangshao, Qijia, Shang and Zhou periods have been discovered in the area, along with two nationally protected cultural heritage sites.

The district is also known for its enduring cultural traditions, including Taoist culture, agricultural heritage and wellness culture. Kongtong martial arts is listed as part of China's national intangible cultural heritage.

By the end of 2025, Kongtong district had a permanent resident population of 504,100, with an urbanization rate of 71.72 percent.