Heze

Understand

Many people in Heze have never seen a foreigner. The local dialect is more widely spoken than standard Mandarin. Native Chinese speakers typically have no trouble with the dialect, as it is similar to the Beijing dialect, but it can prove challenging for non-native Chinese speakers.

History According to historical records, as early as 4,000 years ago in the Neolithic Age, the ancestors multiplied and lived in Heze City, retaining many historical relics of primitive society. In August 1949, Pingyuan Province was established, and the northwestern part of the territory was divided into Heze special area and Heze County. Since then, "Heze" has become a local name at the regional or regional level.

Climate

Heze city is on the narrow north-south path between Taihang Mountain and Taiyi Mountain, with a temperate monsoon type continental climate. The main characteristics are hot summer and cold winter, four distinct seasons. In spring, there is little rain, the south and north wind frequently alternate, and the temperature rises quickly. Summer is hot and humid, often blowing southeast wind, rainfall concentration. The autumn rainfall gradually decreases, the wind changes from south to north, and the temperature drops rapidly. Winter rain and snow are rare, more northerly wind, dry and cold climate. The whole year is full of light, rich in heat, rain and heat in the same season, suitable for the growth of a variety of crops, but the distribution of precipitation is extremely uneven, and often affected by the northern continental air mass, many years appear disastrous weather.

Getting there

Heze has a long distance bus station and a train station.

1 Heze Mudan Airport (菏泽牡丹机场), Near Huangzhuang Village, Menghai Town, Dingtao District, about 25 km northwest of Heze City center (Airport coach). (updated Oct 2023) 2 Heze Railway Station (菏泽站), Zhonghua Road. (updated Oct 2023) 3 Hezedong Railway Station (菏泽东站), Tuzihe village, Dingtao District. (updated Oct 2023)

Getting around

It is possible to get around the city by bus, but they shut down on major holidays such as during the Chinese New Year. Cab rides are very inexpensive: about ¥10 will get you most places in town. If you are going to one of the surrounding villages, cab rides are often around ¥150. It is also possible to get around much of the city by walking.

See

There are some nice paths and bridges along the river. Heze is famous for its peony blossoms. 1 Heze Museum (菏泽市博物馆), 537 Huaying Road, Mudan District (牡丹区华英路537号) (bus nos. 29, 50 and 2262), ☏ +86 530 5312080. Oct-Apr: 08:30-12:00, 14:00-17:30; May-Sep: 08:30-12:00, 14:30-18:00; no entry in last 30 minutes. Free. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Caozhou Peony Garden (曹州牡丹园), No. 1000, Renmin Road, Mudan Subdistrict, Mudan District (牡丹区牡丹街道人民路1000号) (take bus No. 3 in the city and get off at Mudanyuan), ☏ +86 530 5640188. 08:30-18:00. National 4A level tourist attraction. The Caozhou Peony Garden includes five major peony viewing areas: the theme peony viewing area, the Caozhou Peony Ancient Genealogy Area, the Sangli Garden Ancient Genealogy Flower Field Area, the Peony and Peony Scientific Research Exhibition Area, the Award-winning Peony Flower Field and Lake and Mountain Scenic Area, the Wild Water Scenic Area, the World National Flower Garden Scenic Area, the Four Seasons Peony Scenic Area, the Twelve Flower Gods Scenic Area and other twelve scenic areas. There are more than 1,237 varieties of peonies, more than 600 varieties of peonies, and more than 200 other trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants. It is the world's largest botanical garden with the largest peony and peony planting area and the most varieties. ¥60 when flowers are in bloom, ¥10 in off-season. (updated Sep 2024) 3 Caozhou hundred Gardens (曹州百花园), Intersection of Changcheng Road and Taiyuan Road, Peony District (牡丹区长城路与太原路交叉口西南方向), ☏ +86 530-5640188. Apr 1-May 4: 07:00-18:00. Caozhou Hundred Gardens, formerly known as "Wanhua Village", were built in the Ming Dynasty Jiajing period. ¥50. (updated Oct 2023) 4 Sunbin Tourism City, Juancheng County. It covers an area of 999 acres and has a total construction area of 247,000 square meters. With complete basic supporting facilities and complete comprehensive reception functions, it is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, a national defense education base in Shandong Province, the most distinctive film and television shooting base in Shandong, and a demonstration base for the cultural tourism industry in Heze City. It has now become the largest Sun Bin Culture and Sun Bin Art of War in the country. Sun Bin Family, Sun Bin Military Thought and Scientific Research Base. (updated Dec 2023) 5 Zhaowang River Park, Kangzhuang Road, Mudan District. Zhaowang River Park starts from Wanfu River in the south and ends at the North Outer Ring Road in the north, with a total length of 8 kilometers and a total area of more than 200 hectares, of which the water

Do

1 Peony Garden Ski Resort (中国牡丹园滑雪场), State Road 220, Peony District (牡丹区220国道), ☏ +86 530 5663355. Heze City is the only small ski resort, you can rent ski equipment on site. 60. (updated Nov 2023)

Buy

1 Wanda Plaza (万达广场), No.1266 East Changjiang Road, Peony District (牡丹区长江东路1266号). 10:00-22:00. A large shopping plaza in the south of Heze. In the evening, the golden Street bottom merchants and street night markets outside will also open, and all kinds of snacks are particularly lively. One-stop solution to shopping, dining, shopping needs. (updated Oct 2023) 2 Good Harmony City (佳和城), 1888 Zhonghua Road, Peony District (牡丹区中华路1888号). 10:00-22:00. Can be said to belong to Heze one of the best shopping malls food street is very distinctive, businesses and brands are also a lot. Loved by the locals. (updated Oct 2023)

Eat

Dumplings are one of the specialties of northeast China, and are common in Heze. Heze also has a surprising number of Sichuan restaurants.

1 Rock Fried Chicken (Shangri-La) (摇滚炒鸡（香格里拉店）), No. 3-7 Shangri-La Commercial Street, Limin Street, Peony District (牡丹区利民街香格里拉商业街3-7号). 09:30-16:00，17:00-22:00. (updated Oct 2023) 2 Feast Flower City (宴花都), 200 meters south of Huaying Road and Changjiang Road, Danyang Street, Peony District (牡丹区丹阳街道华英路与长江路南200米). 10:00-14:00 17:00-21:00. The materials are very fresh and the cost performance is super high. The restaurant environment is very good, very clean and tidy, but the portions are not large, belonging to the more sophisticated type. The dishes are fresh, salty, and the heat is just right. The food was served quickly. ¥100. (updated Oct 2023) 3 Sister Zhu's Mutton Soup (朱大姐羊肉汤), Opposite to Vitiligo Hospital, Renmin South Road, Mudan District, ☏ +86 13853089997. 6：30—14：30. Mutton soup is a specialty of Heze. Every local eats it. Usually, they eat it for breakfast in the morning, which will make them energetic for the whole day. 人民币26. (updated Sep 2024) 4 Crispy Shaobing Main Store (香酥烧饼总店), Nanhua Street Harmonious Community, Caozhou Road, Mudan District (taxi), ☏ +86 15269023074. 09:00-21:00. One of the famous delicacies in southwestern Shandong, it is round like a moon, red with a hint of yellow, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, fragrant and delicious. Its production method is as follows: use wheat flour, go through the processes of mixing, fermenting, rolling and kneading, and then flatten it and wrap it with a variety of condiments such as sesame oil, salt, pepper, fennel powder, etc., then cut the edge of the plate, apply a layer of syrup, sprinkle sesame kernels on the surface, and bake it in the oven. ¥26. (updated Sep 2024)

Drink & nightlife

Heze Melon Juice (菏泽瓜汁): Heze is renowned for its melon production, and you can find freshly squeezed melon juices such as watermelon juice and cantaloupe juice.

1 Xun Shan Bar (巡山酒吧), 120 m south of intersection of Yongchang Road and Zhenxing Road（永昌路与振兴路交叉口南120m） (taxi recommended). 14:00-2:00. A bar with a youthful energy atmosphere. There is a resident singer in the store, which is suitable for gatherings with friends. You can order barbecue snacks and so on. ¥80. (updated Dec 2023) 2 Dinosaur Dance Den (D堡), Room B11-B13, 1st Floor, Commercial Plaza, Civil Culture Center, intersection of Yongchang Road and Heping Road, Danyang Street（丹阳街道永昌路与和平路交叉口市民文化中心商业广场负一楼B11-B13室） (taxi recommended). 20:30-5:30. A bar for drinking and dancing. It has a nice stereo. Heze young people like to go places. ¥80. (updated Dec 2023)

Sleep

1 Orange Hotel (Wanda Plaza Branch) (桔子酒店（万达广场店）), Northwest corner of intersection of Changjiang Road and Huaying Road (长江路与华英路交叉口西北角) (about 10 minutes by taxi from Heze Station). Complete supporting facilities, good service. 280. (updated Oct 2023) 2 Heze Wanda Meihua Hotel (菏泽万达美华酒店), 788 Yucai South Road (育才南路788号) (about 10 minutes by taxi from Heze Station). Heze Wanda near the hotel of the same name, the internal facilities are more modern, younger, industrial style. The hotel comes with free laundry and gym; facilities are very complete. ¥360. (updated Oct 2023) 3 Full Ji Hotel (Heze Renmin Road Branch) (全季酒店（菏泽人民路店）), Building A, No.8, Traffic Future City, 111 Renmin South Road (人民南路111号交通未来城8号楼A座) (about 7 minutes by taxi from Heze Station). Good environment, the interior environment has a sense of design. The rooms are clean and warm. ¥280. (updated Oct 2023) 4 Ramada Ginza Yiting Hotel, Mudan District, 300 meters south side of Lin Exhibition Hall Ramada Ginza Yiting Hotel. The hotel rooms are spacious and comfortable, with various types of rooms, with bright, elegant and solemn designs, special bars, Shangshanfang gourmet buffet restaurants, Chinese restaurants and large conference reception spaces. (updated Dec 2023) 5 Shuiyi Baiqing Hotel, No. 2278, Zhonghua West Road. The breakfast buffet provides secret mutton soup, spicy soup, steamed dumplings, fried dough sticks, pastries, antibiotic-free eggs, freshly squeezed juice, milk, coffee, soy milk, etc. The hotel has more than 100 guest rooms of various types, each one unique. (updated Dec 2023) 6 Zhongling International Hotel. This large hotel does catering and hosts banquets, sports and entertainment, executive lounges and other facilities. It has more than 200 rooms with soft big beds. (updated Dec 2023) 7 Peace Hotel, No. 1166, Heping Road, Mudan District (Heze Peace Square, adjacent to Heze Railway Station). (updated Dec 2023) 8 Wuzhou International Hotel, The middle section of Renmin Road, Mudan District. This is a peaceful house with flowers, a pavilion, cranes and jade. (updated Dec 2023)

Go next

Jinan is about 4 hours by train (6 hours by bus) to the northeast. Zhengzhou, Henan is likewise a few hours away by bus or train to the southwest.