Mengjin District 孟津区

Setting and landscape

The Yellow River runs 59 kilometres through the district, which the district government places at the dividing line between the river's middle and lower reaches; the Xiaolangdi (小浪底) and Xixiayuan (西霞院) water-control projects lie one after the other along it. The name dates back to the Xia dynasty: "Meng" refers to the fief of the Mengtu (孟涂氏) in which it lay, and "jin" means a ford.

History

The district government counts six dynasties that had their capital on Mengjin's ground: the Western and Eastern Zhou, Eastern Han, Cao Wei, Western Jin and Northern Wei. By its account King Wu of Zhou gathered his allies against the Shang here, and the Mangshan tombs and the Han-Wei old city site (汉魏故城遗址) lie within it. The Tang writer Han Yu (韩愈), the Western Han writer Jia Yi (贾谊) and the Ming-Qing calligrapher Wang Duo (王铎) came from here, and Mengjin was named a home of Chinese calligraphy in 2011. The county seat moved to Chengguan (城关镇) in 1959.

What to see

The Mausoleum of Emperor Guangwu of Han (汉光武帝陵), or Yuanling (原陵), holds Liu Xiu (刘秀), founder of the Eastern Han: begun in AD 50, it received his burial in 57. Unusually, it backs onto the Yellow River with the Mang Mountains in front. Its rammed-earth mound stands 17.83 metres high, 1,458 old cypresses dated by the government to the Sui and Tang grow in the grounds, and it has been a national key cultural relics protection site since 2001. The government also lists Longma Futu Temple (龙马负图寺), Wang Duo's former residence, the Weipo old dwellings (卫坡古民居), a Ban Chao (班超) memorial hall and the Northern Wei Wanfoshan grottoes (万佛山石窟).

Food and local products

Hengshui braised pork (横水卤肉) is simmered over a low fire in a braising stock that has been in use for a century. A single diner eats it with huoshao flatbread, while a full spread runs from snout, ears and tongue to trotters, tail and offal, with cold bean sprouts and cucumber and a sour-hot noodle soup to finish. Tiexie mutton soup (铁谢羊肉汤), from Tiexie village in Baihe town (白鹤镇), is boiled until milky, poured over sliced mutton, scallion and coriander, and eaten with flatbread soaked in it. Local craft industries include Pingle peony painting (平乐牡丹画) and Chaoyang tricolour glazed ware (朝阳唐三彩).

Getting oriented

Zhengzhou lies 134 kilometres to the east. The district government counts Luoyang Beijiao Airport and the Jiaozuo–Liuzhou railway in its transport network, and the Lianhuo, Erguang, Jiluo and Ningluo expressways cross it.

Highlights

• Mausoleum of Emperor Guangwu of Han 汉光武帝陵: Eastern Han founder's tomb begun in AD 50, with the Yellow River behind it and 1,458 old cypresses; national key site since 2001.
• Hengshui braised pork 横水卤肉: Pork and offal simmered in long-kept stock, eaten with huoshao or as a whole-pig spread.
• Tiexie mutton soup 铁谢羊肉汤: Milky mutton soup from Tiexie village, Baihe town.