Mengzhou Travel

Mengzhou City, Jiaozuo, Henan Province — the hometown of Han Yu, a litterateur of the Tang Dynasty, and a millennium-old county on the banks of the Yellow River. It integrates Han culture, Yellow River ecology, and rural customs, featuring attractions such as Hanyuan Garden and Laojia Mogou. This 2-day 1-night tour takes you to appreciate the cultural heritage and natural beauty of the hometown of the 'Grand Master of Literature'.

12+
Historical Sites
4
National-Level Cultural Relic Protection Units
5+
Natural Ecological Scenic Areas
15+
Specialty Foods
Hanyu Statue and Ancient Architectural Complex at Hanyuan Garden, Mengzhou City, Jiaozuo
Mengzhou City - Hanyuan Garden
A cemetery and memorial park for Han Yu, a litterateur of the Tang Dynasty, with towering ancient cypresses and numerous stone inscriptions. It is the core carrier of Mengzhou's Han culture and witnesses the inheritance of thousands of years of cultural context

2-Day 1-Night Cultural and Ecological Tour of Mengzhou City

Trace the footsteps of Han Yu, visit the new look of rural areas, admire the scenery of the Yellow River, taste the flavors of the ancient county, and experience the historical depth and ecological vitality of this ancient county in the Central Plains

Trip Duration
2 Days 1 Night
Main Destinations
Hanyuan Garden, Laojia Mogou, Yellow River Wetland, Mengzhou Museum
Suitable For
Culture lovers, rural experience seekers, ecological observers, family travelers with kids
Per Capita Budget
¥400-¥700
01
Han Yu's Cultural Heritage
Hanyuan Garden · Museum · Old Town Style
Itinerary Highlights

Upon arriving in Mengzhou, head to Hanyuan Garden to pay homage to Han Yu, who 'revived the literary world after eight generations of decline'; then visit Mengzhou Museum to systematically understand the history of this ancient county; in the evening, stroll through the old town street and taste local delicacies such as Mengzhou stir-fried noodles.

Attraction Arrangement
Hanyuan Garden
Built to commemorate Han Yu, a litterateur and thinker of the Tang Dynasty, it includes Han Yu's tomb, ancestral temple, and a group of stone inscriptions. The garden is covered with lush ancient cypresses and houses dozens of stone inscriptions from the Ming and Qing dynasties. As a national key cultural relic protection unit, it showcases Han Yu's spiritual heritage of 'conveying Dao through literature'.
Mengzhou Museum
A comprehensive museum with a collection of more than 3,000 cultural relics, covering various remains from the Neolithic Age to the Ming and Qing dynasties. It features special exhibitions such as 'Han Yu Culture Exhibition' and 'Mengzhou Historical Evolution Exhibition', systematically displaying the historical context of Mengzhou as the 'ancient Jun of Heyang'.
Mengzhou Old Town Street
An ancient street preserving the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with time-honored shops and traditional dwellings. At night, lanterns are hung high and snack stalls gather, allowing you to experience Mengzhou's traditional urban culture and food customs.
Practical Information
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Hotels on Yellow River Avenue in urban area
  • Homestays around Hanyuan Garden
  • Characteristic inns on Old Town Street
Food Recommendations
  • Mengzhou Stir-Fried Noodles
  • Hunjiang Jelly
  • Crispy Scallion Pancake (Youshu Huoshao)
  • Mengzhou Sugar Cake
Travel Tips
  • Free guided tours at Hanyuan Garden (depart on the hour)
  • Museum requires reservation via official WeChat account
  • Parking is tight on Old Town Street, it is recommended to go on foot
02
Rural Ecology
Laojia Mogou · Yellow River Wetland · Return Trip
Itinerary Highlights

In the morning, visit Laojia Mogou to experience the new look of rural revitalization; in the afternoon, head to the Yellow River Wetland to watch birds and enjoy the river scenery; end the trip after purchasing Mengzhou specialties.

Attraction Arrangement
Laojia Mogou
A traditional village renovated with the concept of 'restoring the countryside and remembering nostalgia', retaining elements such as cave dwellings and ancient opera stages, and integrating modern leisure functions. It has become a popular check-in destination integrating folk experience and rural vacation, known as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in China'.
Yellow River Wetland Nature Reserve (Mengzhou Section)
An important wetland ecosystem in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, with vast waters and dense reeds. It is an important stopover for migratory birds. Every autumn and winter, dozens of bird species such as whooper swans and grey cranes inhabit here, making it an ideal place for bird watching and ecological photography.
Peiligang Cultural Site
A Neolithic cultural site dating back about 8,000 years, where cultural relics such as pottery and stone tools have been unearthed, showing the style of early agricultural civilization. It is an important relic for studying prehistoric culture in the Central Plains region.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Take Bus No. 5 from urban area to Hanyuan Garden
  • Take the special minibus to Xiguo Town to reach Laojia Mogou
  • Self-driving is recommended for Yellow River Wetland (about 20 minutes from urban area)
Ticket Information
  • Hanyuan Garden: ¥30
  • Mengzhou Museum: Free
  • Laojia Mogou: Free (separate charges for experience projects)
  • Yellow River Wetland: Free
Travel Tips
  • Bring binoculars for bird watching in Yellow River Wetland and keep quiet
  • Cave dwellings in Laojia Mogou need to be booked in advance
  • There are many mosquitoes in the wetland in summer, it is recommended to prepare mosquito repellent

Must-Try Foods in Mengzhou City

Mengzhou Stir-Fried Noodles

Mengzhou's signature delicacy, made with locally hand-pulled thick noodles, steamed and then stir-fried quickly with eggs, bean sprouts, chives, shredded pork, etc. The noodles are chewy and not lumpy, with a rich sauce flavor, and are the favorite homemade staple food of Mengzhou people.

Hunjiang Jelly

A traditional snack in Mengzhou, made of pea starch jelly with marinade prepared with pulp water (fermented sour soup). It is sour and appetizing with a smooth taste, cool and relieving summer heat when eaten in summer, and is a popular food at night markets on Old Town Street.

Youshu Huoshao (Crispy Scallion Pancake)

A classic pastry in Mengzhou, made with flour, sesame seeds, and Chinese prickly ash leaves, layered and baked through multiple processes. The outer skin is crispy and crumbly, the inner flesh is soft and layered, salty and slightly numb, which can be eaten directly or with meat, with a unique flavor.

Mengzhou Sugar Cake

A traditional pastry dating back to the Qing Dynasty, made with flour, brown sugar, and sesame seeds. After baking, it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, sweet but not greasy. Because it symbolizes 'sweet reunion', it is a traditional pastry for festivals and receiving guests in Mengzhou.

Mengzhou City Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (March-April): Rapeseed flowers bloom in Laojia Mogou, an ideal season for rural outings
  • Autumn (October-November): Migratory birds migrate in Yellow River Wetland, the best time for bird watching
  • Summer (June-August): Beautiful wetland scenery, suitable for summer vacation
  • Winter (December-February): Ancient cypresses in Hanyuan Garden are vigorous, suitable for cultural visits
Must-Try Foods
  • Mengzhou Stir-Fried Noodles (time-honored stalls on Old Town Street)
  • Hunjiang Jelly (Gulou Street Night Market)
  • Youshu Huoshao (morning market stalls)
  • Mengzhou Sugar Cake (vacuum-packed available at specialty stores)
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: About ¥50
  • Accommodation: ¥100-180 per night
  • Catering: ¥50-80 per day
  • Transportation: About ¥50
  • Total: ¥400-700
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Are there cultural activities in Hanyuan Garden? → Commemorative activities are held every year on Han Yu's birthday (February 18th)
  • Can swans be seen in the Yellow River Wetland? → The best viewing period is from November to February of the next year
  • What experiences are available in Laojia Mogou? → Cave dwelling accommodation, handmade pottery, traditional weaving
  • How to get from Mengzhou to Jiaozuo urban area? → Long-distance buses run every 30 minutes, about 1.5 hours

Explore Tourism in Districts and Counties of Jiaozuo City