Xinxian Travel

Xinxian County, Xinyang City, Henan Province – a nationally renowned old revolutionary base area, known as "the hometown of the Red Army and the cradle of generals". It integrates red relics, ecological landscapes, ancient village customs and traditions. A 3-day 2-night in-depth tour to appreciate the unique charm of the integration of red memories and green mountains and clear waters.

400+

Red Revolutionary Relics

AAAA-Level Scenic Areas

16+

Core Attractions

20+

Specialty Foods

Scenery of Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Area Capital Revolutionary Museum in Xinxian

Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Area Capital Revolutionary Museum - National Key Red Tourism Scenic Area

A national patriotic education demonstration base, showcasing the revolutionary struggle history of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Area. It has a collection of more than 10,000 cultural relics, vividly reproducing the extraordinary years of the Red Army period, and is the core landmark of red tourism in Xinxian.

3-Day 2-Night Red Ecological Tour in Xinxian

Visit the Soviet Area to recall the original aspiration, explore the general's hometown to feel the loyal soul, climb Jinlan Mountain to admire the green scenery, tour the ancient village to taste the nostalgia, and unlock the beauty of the integration of red history, nature and humanity in southern Henan

                    
Trip Duration
3 Days 2 Nights

                    
Main Destinations
Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Area Capital, Xu Shiyou's Hometown, Jinlan Mountain, Xihe Ancient Village, Xiangshan Lake, General Zheng Weishan's Hometown

                    
Suitable For
Red Education Learners, History Enthusiasts, Ecological Sightseers, Photography Enthusiasts, Family with Kids

                    
Per Capita Budget
¥700-¥1300

Red Memories

Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Area Capital Revolutionary Museum · Former Capital Site · Martyrs Cemetery · Red Army Square

Itinerary Highlights

Immerse yourself in red history throughout the day: visit the museum to systematically understand the struggle history of the Soviet Area, explore the former capital site to experience the revolutionary scene, pay tribute to martyrs at the Martyrs Cemetery, and participate in red-themed activities at the Red Army Square in the evening.

Attraction Arrangement

Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Area Capital Revolutionary Museum

A national 4A-level scenic area and a national key cultural relic protection unit, covering an area of 150 mu (about 100,000 square meters) with an exhibition hall area of 8,000 square meters. It comprehensively showcases the revolutionary course of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Area from its establishment to development through cultural relics, pictures, scene restorations and other forms.

Former Site of Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Area Capital

A national key cultural relic protection unit, with 18 existing revolutionary sites, including the former site of the CPC Central Committee Hubei-Henan-Anhui Branch and the former site of the Fourth Front Army of the Red Army. All are Qing Dynasty residential buildings, retaining the office and living scenes of that year.

Xinxian Martyrs Cemetery

A national key protection unit for martyr memorial buildings, burying nearly 10,000 revolutionary martyrs. The cemetery has a martyr monument, a memorial hall, a Red Army martyr cemetery, etc., and is an important place to pay tribute to martyrs and inherit the red gene.

Practical Information

Accommodation Recommendations

Red-themed hotels in Xinxian urban area
Boutique homestays on Shoufu Road
Inns around Red Army Square

Food Recommendations

Xinxian Braised Dishes
General's Vegetable Stir-Fried with Bacon
Stone Ear Braised Chicken
Red Army Braised Rice

Travel Tips

The museum provides free explanations (departure on the hour)
Maintain solemnity when visiting red attractions, do not wear bright-colored clothes
Volunteer explanation services are available at the Martyrs Cemetery

General's Hometown & Ecology

General Xu Shiyou's Hometown · General Xu Shiyou's Tomb · Jinlan Mountain National Forest Park · Jinlan Temple

Itinerary Highlights

Visit General Xu Shiyou's hometown in the morning, tour his former residence and tomb to feel the legendary life of the general; climb Jinlan Mountain in the afternoon to enjoy the ecological scenery, visit Jinlan Temple to experience Zen meaning, and taste mountain farm food in the evening.

Attraction Arrangement

General Xu Shiyou's Hometown

A national 4A-level scenic area, including General Xu Shiyou's former residence, tomb, memorial hall, etc. The former residence is a typical southern Henan farm courtyard, and the memorial hall showcases the general's legendary experience from a farmer to a general. The tomb was buried next to his mother's tomb in accordance with the general's wish of "being loyal in life and filial after death".

Jinlan Mountain National Forest Park

A national 4A-level scenic area with a total area of 33.4 square kilometers. The main peak Jinlan Mountain is 768 meters above sea level, with a forest coverage rate of 98%. It is famous for "strange mountains, beautiful waters, lush forests and ancient temples", with natural landscapes such as Jinlan Lake, One-Line Sky, Motian Ridge, etc.

Jinlan Temple

The core cultural landscape of Jinlan Mountain, first built in the Tang Dynasty, with existing buildings rebuilt in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The temple enshrines Buddha statues such as Guanyin, Manjushri and Samantabhadra, with strong incense, set against the surrounding mountains and rivers, forming a "Zen forest secret realm" artistic conception.

Practical Information

Transportation Guide

Take the special bus to Tianpu Township from Xinxian county seat to reach General Xu Shiyou's hometown (about 50 minutes, ¥12 per person)
Jinlan Mountain is 5 kilometers from the county seat, accessible by No.3 bus directly
Self-driving or chartered car is recommended between the two attractions (about 40 kilometers, 1 hour)

Ticket Information

General Xu Shiyou's Hometown: ¥40
Jinlan Mountain National Forest Park: ¥50
Jinlan Temple: Free (Incense voucher is voluntary)

Travel Tips

You can experience the "General's Meal" special meal at Xu Shiyou's former residence (reservation required)
The hiking trail of Jinlan Mountain is 8 kilometers long, it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes
The mountainous area has frequent rains, prepare rain gear; sun protection in summer

Ancient Village & Lake Scenery

Xihe Ancient Village · Xiangshan Lake National Water Conservancy Scenic Area · General Zheng Weishan's Hometown · Return Trip

Itinerary Highlights

Wander in Xihe Ancient Village in the morning to experience southern Henan folk customs, tour Xiangshan Lake in the afternoon to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery, visit General Zheng Weishan's hometown to supplement red memories, purchase special local products and return.

Attraction Arrangement

Xihe Ancient Village

A traditional Chinese village with a history of more than 800 years, retaining more than 150 ancient dwellings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Built along the river, it features distinctive stone roads, old gate towers, ancient opera stages, etc. It is a typical representative of traditional villages in southern Henan, known as the "living fossil of ancient villages in the Central Plains".

Xiangshan Lake National Water Conservancy Scenic Area

A national water conservancy scenic area with a water area of 5.5 square kilometers, where the lake and mountain scenery complement each other, known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou in southern Henan". The lake shore has Incense Burner Mountain, sanatorium, etc., where you can take a cruise ship, go fishing, hike, and it is a leisure and vacation resort.

General Zheng Weishan's Hometown

A red scenic spot showcasing the life of General Zheng Weishan, a founding lieutenant general, including the general's former residence, memorial hall, monument, etc. Through physical objects and pictures, it shows the general's revolutionary course from a cowherd boy to an iron-blooded general.

Practical Information

Experience Projects

Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience in Xihe Ancient Village (Paper-cutting, Embroidery)
Xiangshan Lake Cruise Ship (¥40 per person)
Red Story Session at the General's Hometown
Farmhouse Tofu Making Experience

Specialty Recommendations

Xinxian Camellia Oil (National Geographical Indication Product)
General's Vegetable (Wild Mountain Vegetable)
Xihe Handmade Noodles
Xinxian Chestnut

Return Guide

Xihe Ancient Village is 30 kilometers from the county seat, with rural tourism special line
Xinxian Station has trains to Xinyang, Wuhan, Zhengzhou
The county specialty market is concentrated on Jiefang Road, supporting express delivery and mailing

Must-Try Foods in Xinxian

Xinxian Braised Dishes

The iconic food of Xinxian, made with local ingredients (such as local pork, pheasant, hare, etc.) and slow-braised in clay pots. The meat is tender and rotten, the soup is rich, retaining the original flavor of the ingredients. It is a representative of southern Henan braised dishes, known as "a pot of braised food contains the flavor of mountains and rivers".

General's Vegetable Stir-Fried with Bacon

A special dish of Xinxian, General's Vegetable is a local wild mountain vegetable (scientific name "Patrinia villosa Juss"). It is blanched and stir-fried with bacon, with a fresh and tender taste, a combination of meat and vegetables, salty and delicious. It is named after General Xu Shiyou's love for it.

Stone Ear Braised Chicken

A mountain delicacy of Xinxian, Stone Ear is a wild fungus specialty of Jinlan Mountain (growing on rock walls). It is braised with local free-range chicken, with clear soup color, delicious taste and rich nutrition, being a traditional nourishing delicacy.

Red Army Braised Rice

A special rice dish originating from the Red Army period, made by braising rice with coarse grains such as pumpkin, sweet potato, cowpea, etc. The rice aroma and vegetable aroma blend, with a rich taste and simplicity, reproducing the dietary style of the revolutionary period.

Xinxian Travel Tips

Best Travel Time

Spring (April-May): Jinlan Mountain is full of blooming flowers, and rapeseed flowers are in bloom in Xihe Ancient Village
Autumn (September-November): Xiangshan Lake has charming autumn scenery, and chestnuts are in harvest
Red tourism is suitable all year round, with themed activities on major memorial days (such as Army Day)

Must-Try Foods

Xinxian Braised Dishes
General's Vegetable Stir-Fried with Bacon
Stone Ear Braised Chicken
Red Army Braised Rice
Xihe Handmade Noodles

Budget Reference

Tickets: About ¥150
Accommodation: ¥130-280 per night
Catering: ¥70-110 per day
Transportation: About ¥90
Total: ¥700-1300

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the red-themed memorial activity held? → Every August 1st and major revolutionary memorial days
Can we book group explanation for Xu Shiyou Former Residence? → Free group reservation three working days ahead
Best picking season for Xinxian wild vegetables? → Late spring April to early May
Is Xihe Ancient Village free of entry? → Village access is free, handmade experience needs small charge

All Counties & Districts Travel Navigation of Xinyang