Heze Travel Guide

Heze Facts

Chinese Name: 菏泽 (hé zé)
Population: 8,781,700
Area: 12,239 square kilometers (4,726 square miles)
Location: in the west of Shandong Province, east China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Mudan, Dingtao); 7 counties (Caoxian, Chengwu, Shanxian, Juye, Yuncheng, Juancheng, Dongming)
Area Code: 0530
Zip Code: 274000
GDP (2019): CNY 340.998 billion (USD 49.427 billion)  

The Best City to Enjoy Peony

Heze is situated in the west of Shandong Province on the south bank of the Yellow River. It shares boundaries with Henan, Anhui and Jiangsu. Peony is one of the biggest highlights of Heze. With a planting history of more than 1,500 years, Heze is a peony production, scientific research, export and viewing base. The best viewing time is around April 10. In the middle of April every year, Heze holds a 20-day International Peony Flower Festival. At that time, it will carry out various activities and visitors can enjoy the flower together, see the art exhibition and learn about the local culture and folk customs. Caozhou Peony Garden is the largest peony garden with the most varieties of peony flowers in the world. Its peonies cover nine kinds of color systems, such as pink, red, purple, blue and yellow and the flower shapes are changeable.

Heze Attractions - Things to Do

Caozhou Peony Garden

It is located three kilometers (1.9 miles) from downtown Heze adjacent to the No.220 National Highway. Laid out in 1983, it is the world’s largest peony garden with the greatest number of different varieties. This is also the horticultural base of the peony, supplying the plants to scenic garden areas of Beijing, Shanghai Nanjing and Luoyang as well as exporting peony to many other countries. Simple and elegant old style buildings dotted among the flowerbeds enhance the ambiance of the garden. Nowadays, the Caozhou Peony Garden together with Gujin Peony Garden and Baihua Peony Garden are the main tourist attractions,  

 Other Scenic Spots: Caozhou Painting and Calligraphy Academy 

How to Get to Heze

The Heze Mudan Airport has flights from/to many domestic cities, but international flights are not available. From its downtown, it is 220 kilometers (137 miles) to Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, 230 kilometers (143 miles) to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport and only 75 kilometers (47 miles) to Jining Airport, which can also be used. 

Heze is also one of China's important railway hubs. The Beijing-Kowloon Railway and the New Euro-Asia Continental Bridge (Rizhao – Heze – Xi'an) – Alataw Pass – Rotterdam) meet here. There are three railway stations serving the city.
 
Four national highways pass through the area. From the central bus station in 3, Mudan Nan Lu, interprovincial and inter cities buses are handy for the traveler.

Weather

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The city has a warm temperate continental monsoon climate with abundant sunshine and four distinct seasons. Heze weather's annual average temperature maintains around 13.5C-14C (56.3F-57.2F). Spring, summer and autumn are all favorable for visiting this area. The annual Heze International Peony Festival is held during April to May, an excellent time during which to visit and admire the town of the peony.

Heze Travel Tips

 History: Heze has a long history. There are several sites of ancient Longshan Culture. Its administrative history can be traced back to the 17th century BC. It was known as Caozhou before being renamed after a natural pool in 1735 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

 Physical Features: The city lies on the lower reaches of the Yellow River, being a part of the North China Plain. The city is situated almost entirely on an alluvial plain but some low mountains and hills are to be found in Juye County. The terrain has an incline running from the southwest to the northeast.

 Special Local Products: peony, dried persimmon, watermelon

- Last updated on Jul. 14, 2023 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on Heze Travel
Asked by PS from HK | Mar. 06, 2018 03:41Reply
What is the reliable and fast way to get from Zhengzhou Xinzheng airport to Heze city centre?
Answers (1)
Answered by Layla from RUSSIA | Mar. 06, 2018 19:12
10Reply


There are regular buses straight to HZ, and they leave at 10:10, 12:10, 14:10, 16:20 and 18:30. Btw, the fare is 90yuan and the duration is about 3h.
Asked by Diana Celine from SINGAPORE | May. 08, 2016 22:03Reply
I'm going to Heze on 1st Sep 2016. Heard it's Autumn right?
Which the shortest routes flying from Singapore? I'm bringing along my toddlers below 5. What is the temperature? Any advice should I take note since I'm bringing my kids along?
Answers (1)
Answered by Vivian from USA | May. 09, 2016 01:03
00Reply


Yes, autumn lasts from September to November. It may be cloudy, and rain sometimes. The temperature may range from 65F to 80F. You are advised to take light jacket, shirts, pants, and an umbrella. Take care of your child, and have fun!

You may fly to Shanghai first (about 5 to 5.5 hours). Next, fly to Jinan (about 1.5 hours). Then, take a taxi to Jinan General Bus Station for about CNY 80. Afterwards, take a bus to HZ. The buses are available from 7:00 to 20:00, and the trip takes about 3.5 hours. :)
Asked by WK from SINGAPORE | Oct. 16, 2014 02:49Reply
what is the best and fastest route to Heze from Singapore? Fly to Jining then by bus to reach?
Answers (1)
Answered by Allen from USA | Oct. 16, 2014 04:16
01Reply


You can fly to Guangzhou first and then transfer to another flight to Jining. Upon arrival, take a taxi to Jining General Bus Station to take a direct bus to your destination.
Asked by Avid Traveller from SINGAPORE | Mar. 19, 2014 04:36Reply
Is it possible to do a day trip from Hong Kong Middle Rd in Qingdao to Heze?
Answers (2)
Answered by Alan from CANADA | Mar. 19, 2014 22:19
21Reply


It shall be possibe to get to HZ for a one day trip, but you may not get back to Qingdao on the same day, because it is around 530km between the two places.
Answered by Avid traveller from SINGAPORE | Mar. 21, 2014 11:12
21Reply


Thanks Alan for the reply.
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