What to do in Henan?
This super-comprehensive and practical guide will give you everything you need!
From world cultural heritage sites to majestic mountains and rivers, from the fireworks of a thousand-year-old ancient capital to a paradise for parents and children, whether you are a lover of history and culture, a lover of natural scenery, or taking your children out to play, you can find the most suitable way of playing here.
A tour of core must-visit attractions
Henan has many tourist business cards, the first of which is undoubtedly the World Cultural Heritage Longmen Grottoes .
Standing on both sides of the Yi River, looking up at the mysterious smile of the Lucena Buddha and the 1,500-year-old stone carving art will make people feel shocked in an instant.
Immediately afterwards, you must definitely go to Songshan Shaolin Temple. Not only can you watch a full of authentic martial arts performance in front of the mountain gate, but you can also go deep into the Tallinn to experience the unique martial arts charm of "the most famous temple in the world".
If we talk about the charm of the ancient capital, then the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, known as the first ancient temple in China, is definitely not to be missed. In this White Horse Temple, it also combines the styles of Buddhist temples from Thailand, Myanmar and India. This fusion makes it very exotic.
When you come to Kaifeng, you must go to Qingming Shanghe Garden. It is not just a simple antique building, it is simply a magnificent real-life time-travel experience. In the garden, all the staff are dressed in Song Dynasty costumes, there are wonderful acrobatics, delicious snacks, and vivid live dramas, etc., all of which can make you instantly return to the fireworks atmosphere full of market atmosphere in the Northern Song Dynasty and immerse yourself in it.
Recommended high-quality themed tour routes
If you are limited on time, planning a route can get twice the result with half the effort.
Route 1 is the Northern Henan Landscape Essence Tour, which takes Yuntai Mountain in Jiaozuo as its core and is scheduled for 2 days.
On the first day, we visited Hongshi Gorge, which is famous as "China's No. 1 Wonderful Gorge" and enjoyed the scenery of red cliffs and clear water. On the second day, we went to Tanpu Gorge to experience the dynamic atmosphere presented by "three steps to a spring and five steps to a waterfall". In the afternoon, we challenged the glass plank road of Zhuyu Peak and overlooked the extremely majestic Taihang Mountains.
Route 2 (Cultural Tour of the Ancient Capital of Western Henan) : Centered on Luoyang, connecting Zhengzhou and Kaifeng.
On the first day, we arrived in Luoyang and visited the Longmen Grottoes at night to see the Buddha statues illuminated by lights, which gave a more Zen feel; on the second day, we went to the White Horse Temple in the morning, headed towards Dengfeng Shaolin Temple in the afternoon, and watched the live performance of "Zen Shaolin Music Ceremony" in the evening; on the third day, we rushed to Kaifeng.
A tip of Henan and accommodation guide
When you come to Henan, how can you miss the happiness brought by carbohydrates?
When in Luoyang, you must experience the "water banquet". Among them, the "Peony Yan Cai" is a must-order dish. It tastes sour and spicy and refreshing; the "Luoyang Beef Soup" or "Mutton Soup" found in the streets and alleys, paired with steaming oil swirls or pancakes fresh from the oven, are the most filling breakfast for locals.
After arriving in Kaifeng, go straight to Gulou Night Market or Xisi Night Market, where you can taste the soup dumplings, stir-fry the jelly, taste a little, drink some almond tea, and eat some bucket chicken. In this way, you can experience every taste, and the atmosphere of fireworks is very strong.
When it comes to accommodation, we should pay attention to the "proximity principle".
When you are in the city of Luoyang, I would like to give you this suggestion, that is, choose the area near Luoyi Ancient City or Longmen High-speed Railway Station, because it has convenient transportation and rich and diverse nightlife.
The inns with antique characteristics located in Kaifeng, around Longting, or on the left and right sides of Qingming Shanghe Garden, are a very good choice. They are convenient for play and have a strong immersive experience.
If you go to Yuntai Mountain, it would be most convenient to stay directly in the shore service area. This is a tourist distribution center, where you can have one-stop solutions for eating, drinking and entertainment, and it is the closest to the entrance of the scenic spot.
Transportation and practical pit avoidance guide
Henan's transportation network is very developed.
High-speed trains connect major cities, with Zhengzhou East Station and Luoyang Longmen Station being the core hubs.
To go to Yuntai Mountain, you can take the high-speed rail to Jiaozuo Station or Xiuwu West Station. After leaving the station, there are tourist buses that go directly to the scenic spot.
To go to Shaolin Temple, there are direct tourist trains from Luoyang and Zhengzhou, which is more worry-free than driving by yourself.
Practical tips to help you avoid pitfalls:
To make reservations and purchase tickets for popular attractions, such as Longmen Grottoes and Qingming Riverside Garden, you must make reservations and purchase tickets in advance through the official mini program. During peak seasons, on-site tickets are likely to be sold out.
The most suitable time period: spring and autumn, that is, April to May, and September to October. This is the most suitable period for visiting Henan. The temperature is suitable and you can catch up with the Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival or the Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Exhibition.
Regarding cultural respect, when visiting religious sites such as Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple, do not touch or climb Buddha statues. Always remain quiet and respect history.
Wear shoes that can bring you a comfortable feeling. Whether you are climbing Yuntai Mountain or strolling in the ancient city, it is normal to walk more than 10,000 steps a day. A pair of sports shoes with comfortable features is a magical equipment when playing.
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