Henan Province Travel

Henan, the cradle of Huaxia civilization, is known as the "Central Plains" and "Zhongzhou". From the Shang Dynasty ruins in Zhengzhou to the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, from the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden in Kaifeng to the Yin Ruins in Anyang, from the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song to the Yuntai Mountain in Jiaozuo, every place carries five thousand years of Chinese historical civilization and splendid culture.

17
Prefecture-level Divisions
158
County-level Divisions
15
5A Scenic Spots
800+
Cultural Heritage Sites

Explore Cities in Henan Province

Henan 5-Day Essence Tour

Explore Henan's millennia-old ancient capitals, Buddhist art and natural scenery. From the Shang Dynasty ruins in Zhengzhou to the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, from the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden in Kaifeng to the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song, experience the perfect fusion of Henan's rich and diverse history, culture and natural landscapes.

Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
Main Destinations
Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Mount Song
Suitable For
History & Culture Lovers, Nature Explorers
Budget per Person
¥2800 - ¥3800
01
Zhengzhou Shang Capital Culture
Henan Museum · Shang Dynasty Ruins · Erqi Memorial Tower
Highlights

Arrive in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital. Check into hotel, then visit the Henan Museum to admire its rich collection of cultural relics and understand the profound heritage of Central Plains culture. Afterwards, explore the Shang Dynasty ruins and feel the glory of the capital from 3600 years ago. In the evening, visit Erqi Memorial Tower, enjoy Zhengzhou's night view, and taste local Henan cuisine.

Attractions
Henan Museum
One of China's most important museums, housing 140,000 cultural relics, including 576 national first-class artifacts. It is especially renowned for prehistoric relics, Shang-Zhou bronzes, and ceramics and jade from various dynasties. Masterpieces include the Lotus Crane Square Vessel, Cloud Pattern Bronze Forbidden, and Fu Hao Owl Zun.
Shang Dynasty Ruins
The early Shang Dynasty capital site, dating back approximately 3600 years. It is the largest and best-preserved early Shang capital discovered in China, covering an area of 25 square kilometers. Remains include city walls, palace foundations, and handicraft workshops.
Erqi Memorial Tower
Built to commemorate the 1923 Beijing-Hankou Railway Strike, this is a landmark building of Zhengzhou. The tower stands 63 meters tall with 14 floors, featuring a unique and magnificent design. It is the youngest national key cultural relic protection unit in China.
Practical Information
Accommodation
  • Wanda Vista Zhengzhou
  • Hilton Zhengzhou
  • Jianguo Hotel Zhengzhou
Food Recommendations
  • Braised Noodles (Huimian)
  • Hot and Sour Soup (Hulatang)
  • Yellow River Carp
Travel Tips
  • Henan Museum requires advance booking
  • Erqi Tower looks better at night
  • Zhengzhou has convenient metro access
02
Luoyang Ancient Capital Culture
Longmen Grottoes · White Horse Temple · Luoyang Museum
Highlights

Travel to Luoyang, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Longmen Grottoes to admire exquisite Buddhist stone carvings. Then tour the White Horse Temple, the first official Buddhist temple in China, to learn about Buddhism's spread. In the afternoon, visit Luoyang Museum for an in-depth understanding of Luoyang's glorious history as an ancient capital.

Attractions
Longmen Grottoes
One of China's four great grottoes and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Construction began under Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei and continued for over 400 years through multiple dynasties. There are 2,345 niches, over 100,000 statues, and 2,800 inscriptions.
White Horse Temple
China's first ancient temple, established in 68 AD during the Eastern Han dynasty. It is the first official Buddhist temple built after Buddhism entered China, revered as the "Cradle of Chinese Buddhism." The temple houses precious Yuan dynasty dry-lacquer sculptures.
Luoyang Museum
A national first-class museum with a collection of over 400,000 artifacts, displaying more than 11,000 items. Its collection spans from prehistoric times to the Ming and Qing dynasties, particularly strong in bronzes, Tang tri-colored pottery, and stone carvings.
Practical Information
Accommodation
  • Luoyang Dongshan Hotel
  • Huayang Plaza International Hotel
  • Modu Lihao International Hotel
Food Recommendations
  • Luoyang Water Banquet
  • Peony Swallow Dish
  • Jiangmian Tiao (sour noodle soup)
Travel Tips
  • Hire a guide at Longmen Grottoes
  • White Horse Temple has international Buddha halls
  • April-May is peony season in Luoyang
03
Songshan Shaolin Culture
Shaolin Temple · Pagoda Forest · Songyang Academy
Highlights

Head to Dengfeng City to visit the "Center of Heaven and Earth" World Heritage architectural complex. First, explore the world-renowned Shaolin Temple, enjoy a live Shaolin Kung Fu performance, and experience the unity of Zen and martial arts. Then, visit the Pagoda Forest, the burial ground of eminent monks throughout history, to learn about Buddhist burial customs. In the afternoon, tour Songyang Academy, one of China's four great ancient academies, and immerse yourself in traditional academic culture.

Attractions
Shaolin Temple
The birthplace of Chinese Chan Buddhism and Chinese martial arts, known as the "Cradle of Chan Buddhism and Holy Land of Martial Arts." Founded in 495 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty by Emperor Xiaowen to honor the Indian monk Buddhabhadra, it houses precious cultural relics including murals and stone inscriptions.
Pagoda Forest
The cemetery for generations of Shaolin monks, containing over 240 brick and stone pagodas from the Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It is the largest and most numerous ancient pagoda complex in China, with diverse architectural styles reflecting different eras—a treasure trove for studying ancient Chinese brick-and-stone architecture and carving art.
Songyang Academy
One of China's four great ancient academies, originally built in 484 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty as a Buddhist temple named Songyang Temple. In 1035 AD (Song Dynasty), it was renovated and renamed Songyang Academy. It features two cypress trees over 4,500 years old and precious cultural relics such as the Great Tang Stele.
Practical Info
Accommodation
  • Dengfeng Shaolin Zenju International Hotel
  • Dengfeng Zhongzhou Huading Hotel
  • Dengfeng Jinpeng Eco Hotel
Local Cuisine
  • Shaolin Vegetarian Cuisine
  • Dengfeng Sesame Cake
  • Songshan Wild Vegetables
Travel Tips
  • Shaolin Kung Fu performances have fixed schedules
  • Pagoda Forest is a religious site, please remain quiet
  • Songyang Academy has many ancient trees
04
Kaifeng Song Dynasty Culture
Millennium City Park · Dragon Pavilion Park · Kaifeng Prefecture
Highlights

Travel to Kaifeng, an ancient capital of eight dynasties. Visit Millennium City Park, built based on Zhang Zeduan's famous Song Dynasty painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival, to experience the bustling scenes of Bianjing (the Song capital). Then tour Dragon Pavilion Park, located on the ruins of six imperial palaces. In the afternoon, visit Kaifeng Prefecture to learn about Song Dynasty government office culture and appreciate the integrity and justice of Lord Bao.

Attractions
Millennium City Park
A large-scale Song Dynasty folk custom theme park recreating the scenery of the original painting at a 1:1 scale. Covering over 600 mu (about 40 hectares) with 180 mu of water, it features more than 50 ancient-style boats, over 400 buildings, and over 30,000 square meters of landscape architecture, forming the largest Song-style ancient building complex in Central China.
Dragon Pavilion Park
Built on the ruins of six imperial palaces (from the Later Liang, Later Jin, Later Han, Later Zhou of the Five Dynasties period, as well as the Northern Song and Jin dynasties), it centers around the magnificent Dragon Pavilion Hall and includes the Meridian Gate, Jade Belt Bridge, Court Gate, Screen Wall, and other Qing Dynasty Wanshou Palace buildings. Surrounded by water on three sides, the park combines the grandeur of northern palaces with the elegance of southern gardens.
Kaifeng Prefecture
The premier government office of the Northern Song Dynasty, with a history spanning over a thousand years. The reconstructed Kaifeng Prefecture is located on the north bank of Baogong East Lake in Kaifeng, covering over 60 mu (about 4 hectares) with 13,600 square meters of building area. Its majestic appearance complements the Baogong Shrine on the west side of Baogong Lake, forming a magnificent landscape of "East Office, West Shrine" with rippling lake waters.
Practical Info
Accommodation
  • Kaifeng New Century Grand Hotel
  • Kaifeng Zhongzhou International Hotel
  • Pullman Kaifeng
Local Cuisine
  • Kaifeng Soup Dumplings
  • Carp Baked with Noodles
  • Barrel Chicken
Travel Tips
  • Millennium City Park offers rich performances
  • Dragon Pavilion Park offers panoramic views of Kaifeng
  • Kaifeng Prefecture has an "Opening Ceremony" performance
05
Anyang Yin-Shang Culture
Yin Ruins · National Museum of Chinese Writing · Return Trip
Highlights

Travel to Anyang, one of China's eight great ancient capitals. Visit the World Heritage site Yin Ruins, the late Shang Dynasty capital where oracle bone script was discovered. Then tour the National Museum of Chinese Writing to systematically learn about the development of Chinese characters. In the afternoon, depending on your flight or train schedule, conclude your enjoyable Henan trip and return home.

Attractions
Yin Ruins
The capital site of the late Shang Dynasty, and the first capital site in Chinese history that can be verified through both written records and archaeological evidence. Covering approximately 36 square kilometers, the site is centered around the palace and ancestral temple area at Xiaotun Village, distributed along both banks of the Huan River. It includes palace and temple ruins, royal mausoleums, the Huanbei Shang City site, and oracle bone pits.
National Museum of Chinese Writing
China's first museum dedicated to writing, integrating cultural relic preservation, exhibition, and scientific research. Its collection covers oracle bone script, bronze inscriptions, bamboo slips and silk manuscripts, the history of Chinese character development, calligraphy, and minority scripts. The main building features Shang Dynasty taotie and coiled dragon patterns in gold relief, showcasing the architectural effect of Shang Dynasty palaces with "four-sided double eaves."
Anyang Ancient City
Anyang is one of China's eight great ancient capitals and a national historical and cultural city. It is the hometown of oracle bone script, the birthplace of the Book of Changes, and the origin of the Red Flag Canal spirit. With a long history and profound cultural heritage, Anyang boasts numerous historical sites and cultural landmarks, including Wenfeng Tower, Yuan Shikai's Tomb, and Yue Fei Temple.
Practical Info
Accommodation
  • Anyang Wanda Realm Hotel
  • Anyang Guest Hotel
  • Anyang Huaqiang Novotel Hotel
Local Cuisine
  • Daokou Braised Chicken
  • Anyang Three Smoked Delicacies
  • Fermented Rice Porridge
Travel Tips
  • Yin Ruins Museum has rich collections
  • National Museum of Chinese Writing is free to enter
  • Allow sufficient time to get to the airport/train station
Henan Travel Practical Info
Transportation
  • Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport is the main aviation hub
  • Zhengzhou East Station is a major high-speed rail hub
  • Intercity transportation within the province is convenient
  • Zhengzhou and Luoyang have metro systems
Best Time to Visit
  • Spring (Mar-May): Pleasant weather, peonies in bloom
  • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Clear skies, beautiful scenery
  • Summer is hot and rainy, take precautions against heat
  • Winter is dry and cold, keep warm
Budget Reference
  • Accommodation: 150-400 RMB/night
  • Meals: 50-100 RMB/day
  • Tickets: 50-200 RMB per attraction
  • Transportation: 100-200 RMB/day
Notes
  • Some attractions require advance reservation
  • Respect cultural relics, do not touch
  • Follow regulations at religious sites
  • Keep personal belongings safe