Time Zone |
Asia/Shanghai |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+8 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
Europe/Riga |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+2 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+3 |
Pingyi County is located in the western part of Linyi City, Shandong Province, China, in the central and southern part of Shandong Province, with a total area of 1,825 square kilometers and a population of about 1.06 million. As an important part of the old revolutionary area of Yimeng, Pingyi is famous for its agriculture, stone industry and tourism. The area is rich in honeysuckle, hawthorn and other specialties, and is the famous "honeysuckle hometown" in China.
With rich natural and cultural resources, the main attractions of Pingyi include the World Geopark Mengshan Mountain, Zengzishan Scenic Area and Tianyu Nature Museum (a large collection of dinosaur fossils). Its transportation is convenient, with the Rilan Expressway and Lunan High Speed Railway passing through the city, and Linyi Airport is about one hour's drive away. In recent years, Pingyi has continued to promote rural revitalization and ecological construction, forming a cluster of characteristic industries such as stone processing and modern logistics, which is an important economic growth point in Lunan area.
Valka is an important border city in northeastern Latvia, closely linked to the Estonian city of Valga, which together form a unique "twin city". The city is located about 160 km northeast of Riga and is the central administrative center of the town of Valka.
Valka covers an area of about 14.4 square kilometers and has a population of about 5,000. The city is located in the hinterland of the Baltic Sea region and has historically been an important trading hub. It is unique in that it shares urban space with Varga, Estonia, and the border line runs directly through the city, making it a model for cross-border cooperation within the European Union.
Varka, first documented in 1286, has a medieval architectural heritage, including St. Catherine's Church. The history of Latvia's national awakening movement is vividly presented in the city museum. The annual Border Culture Festival promotes cultural exchange between residents of both countries.
As a special border city within the EU Schengen area, the Varka-Varga region has a unique cross-border commuting pattern. The local economy is dominated by logistics, retail and services, capitalizing on its hub location connecting the Baltic States. the opening of a joint bus system in 2019 further strengthens regional integration.
Visitors can experience the unique border landmark of "one step between two countries" and visit the ruins of Valka Castle Hill. The neighboring Vilcasius National Park offers a wealth of eco-tourism routes, and in winter you can participate in cross-country skiing, a popular activity in the Baltic Sea region.