Taikang County Travel

Taikang County, Zhoukou, Henan Province – the hometown of Xie An and a place with a prosperous cultural atmosphere, integrating Xie clan culture, Song Dynasty ancient pagodas, Daoqing Opera art, and farming civilization. Experience the charm of the "cultural holy land" with a 2-day 1-night in-depth tour and appreciate the unique blend of history and art in eastern Henan.

1700+
Years of Xie Clan Culture History
6
Provincial-Level Cultural Relic Protection Units
10+
Core Scenic Spots
15+
Special Local Foods
Panoramic View of Xiaowu Pagoda in Taikang County
Xiaowu Pagoda - A Treasure of Song Dynasty Architecture
Built in the Northern Song Dynasty, this hexagonal nine-story pavilion-style brick pagoda is beautifully shaped with exquisite craftsmanship, known as the "First Pagoda in Eastern Henan"

2-Day 1-Night Cultural Holy Land Tour in Taikang County

Visit Xie An's Hometown to recall the Battle of Fei River, admire Song Dynasty ancient pagodas to appreciate architectural essence, listen to Taikang Daoqing Opera to taste the charm of intangible cultural heritage, tour the millennium-old Confucian Temple to feel the inheritance of Confucianism, and unlock the beauty of history, culture and art in eastern Henan

Itinerary Duration
2 Days 1 Night
Main Destinations
Xie An's Hometown, Xiaowu Pagoda, Shousheng Temple Pagoda, Daoqing Opera Art Center, Confucian Temple
Suitable for
History and culture enthusiasts, architectural art researchers, intangible cultural heritage lovers, food explorers
Per Capita Budget
¥450-¥750
01
Legacy of Famous Scholars
Xie An's Hometown · Xiaowu Pagoda · Taikang Old Town Block
Itinerary Highlights

Visit Xie An's Hometown in the morning to learn about the life of Xie An, the famous prime minister of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and the history of the Battle of Fei River, and visit the Xie Clan Ancestral Hall. In the afternoon, admire the Song Dynasty architectural art of Xiaowu Pagoda, and stroll through the old town block in the evening to taste local snacks.

Attraction Arrangement
Xie An's Hometown
A provincial-level cultural relic protection unit, the hometown of Xie An, the famous prime minister of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It has preserved buildings such as the Xie Clan Ancestral Hall and Xie An Memorial Hall, and is an important site for studying Xie clan culture and Eastern Jin history.
Xiaowu Pagoda
A national key cultural relic protection unit, built in the third year of Shaosheng in the Northern Song Dynasty (1096 AD). It is a hexagonal nine-story pavilion-style brick pagoda, 41.5 meters high, with exquisite carvings on the tower body, having extremely high architectural art value.
Taikang Old Town Block
A well-preserved traditional commercial block with the street pattern retaining the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The shops along the street sell local special snacks and traditional handicrafts, full of strong living atmosphere.
Practical Information
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Business Hotels in Taikang County Center
  • Xie An's Hometown Cultural Theme Inn
  • Characteristic Homestays in the Old Town
Food Recommendations
  • Taikang Braised Noodles
  • Matou Beef
  • Sesame Crispy Covered Biscuits
  • Taikang Dried Tofu
Travel Tips
  • Professional explanation is available at Xie An's Hometown (¥30 per time)
  • You can climb Xiaowu Pagoda to enjoy the view (limited to 10 people at the same time)
  • It is recommended to learn about the historical background of the Battle of Fei River in advance
02
Cultural Heritage Inheritance
Shousheng Temple Pagoda · Taikang Daoqing Opera Art Center · Confucian Temple · Return Trip
Itinerary Highlights

Visit Shousheng Temple Pagoda in the morning to experience Song Dynasty Buddhist culture and watch the intangible cultural heritage performance of Taikang Daoqing Opera. In the afternoon, visit the Confucian Temple to learn about the inheritance of Confucianism, and purchase Taikang specialties in the evening before returning.

Attraction Arrangement
Shousheng Temple Pagoda
A national key cultural relic protection unit, built in the second year of Mingdao in the Northern Song Dynasty (1033 AD). It is a hexagonal seven-story pavilion-style brick pagoda, 36 meters high, with the tower body well preserved, being an important physical object for studying Song Dynasty Buddhist architecture.
Taikang Daoqing Opera Art Center
The inheritance and exhibition base of Taikang Daoqing Opera, a national intangible cultural heritage. You can watch Daoqing Opera performances, learn about its development history, and experience singing Daoqing Opera, being an excellent place to experience local opera art.
Taikang Confucian Temple
A Confucian holy land built in the Ming Dynasty, preserving buildings such as the Dacheng Hall and Minglun Hall. It was the highest institution of learning in Taikang County in ancient times, reflecting the profound influence of Confucian culture in this area.
Practical Information
Experience Projects
  • Daoqing Opera Singing Experience
  • Confucian Temple Confucius Worship Ceremony Observation
  • Traditional Biscuit Making Experience
  • Xie Clan Family Motto Learning
Specialty Recommendations
  • Matou Beef
  • Sesame Crispy Covered Biscuits
  • Taikang Dried Tofu
  • Daoqing Opera Audio-Visual Products
  • Xie Clan Culture Books
Return Trip Guide
  • There are regular buses from Taikang Bus Station to Zhoukou and Zhengzhou
  • About 1 hour's drive from Zhoukou East Railway Station (High-speed Railway)
  • Specialty purchases can be made at specialty stores in the old town block

Must-Try Foods in Taikang County

Taikang Braised Noodles

Taikang's characteristic pasta, made by hand with high-quality high-gluten flour, served with mutton, fungus, daylily and other ingredients. The soup is delicious and the noodles are chewy, being the favorite daily food of local people.

Matou Beef

Taikang's traditional famous snack, originating from Matou Town. It uses high-quality yellow beef marinated with ancestral secret recipes, with tender meat and rich fragrance, having a history of over 100 years.

Sesame Crispy Covered Biscuits

Taikang's traditional pastry, made with flour, sesame and sugar, baked in a traditional stove. The outer skin is crispy, the inner part is soft, with a strong sesame aroma.

Taikang Dried Tofu

Taikang's characteristic bean product, made by traditional craftsmanship, with compact texture and rich bean aroma. It can be eaten directly or cooked, being a staple food in local families.

Travel Tips for Taikang County
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (March-May): Pleasant climate, suitable for visiting ancient pagodas and cultural sites
  • Autumn (September-November): Clear and crisp weather, rich in Daoqing Opera art performances and activities
  • Holidays: Diverse folk activities during traditional festivals such as Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival
Must-Try Foods
  • Taikang Braised Noodles
  • Matou Beef
  • Sesame Crispy Covered Biscuits
  • Taikang Dried Tofu
  • Mutton Soup
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: About ¥100
  • Accommodation: ¥120-¥250 per night
  • Catering: ¥60-¥100 per day
  • Transportation: About ¥50
  • Total: ¥450-¥750
Frequently Asked Questions
  • When is Taikang Daoqing Opera performed? → Two performances every day at the Art Center (10:00, 15:00)
  • Can I climb Xiaowu Pagoda and Shousheng Temple Pagoda? → Xiaowu Pagoda is climbable, while Shousheng Temple Pagoda is not climbable for cultural relic protection
  • What are the features of Xie An's Hometown? → Display of Xie Clan Family Motto and restoration of the Battle of Fei River scene
  • Which one is the most authentic Matou Beef? → "Laocui's Beef" in Matou Town (four generations of inheritance)

Explore Travel in Districts and Counties of Zhoukou City