In the early morning, Longmen Grottoes.
The Yi River flows quietly, with Buddha statues densely carved on the cliffs on both banks. The largest Lushena Buddha is 17 meters tall, with a benevolent face, gazing down at all beings. Sunlight falls on the Buddha statues, golden light shining—solemn and sacred.
These Buddha statues have been watching over this place for 1,500 years.
Henan is a place that commands respect.
Province Profile#
- Location: Central China, middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River
- Best Travel Season: April-May, September-October
- Highlights: Source of Chinese civilization, ancient capital cluster, Shaolin Kung Fu, grotto art
Must-Visit Attractions#
Luoyang: Ancient Capital of Thirteen Dynasties#
Luoyang is the Chinese city with the most dynasties as capital, known as the “Ancient Capital of Thirteen Dynasties.”
Longmen Grottoes is a World Cultural Heritage site, with 2,345 niches and over 100,000 statues—the peak of Chinese stone carving art. Lushena Buddha is Longmen’s symbol, said to be carved in the likeness of Wu Zetian’s appearance.
White Horse Temple is China’s first government-sponsored temple, “The Ancestral Court of Chinese Buddhism.” Ancient trees tower inside, incense smoke curling—a perfect place to understand Chinese Buddhist history.
Luoyang Peony is “National Beauty and Heavenly Fragrance.” Every April, Luoyang holds a Peony Festival, with peonies blooming throughout the city in brilliant colors. Wangcheng Park and China National Peony Garden are good places to view flowers.
Best Experience: Come to Luoyang in April to see peonies, visit Longmen Grottoes during the day, eat water banquet on Old City Cross Street at night.
Shaolin Temple: The First Famous Temple Under Heaven#
Shaolin Temple is at the foot of Mount Song, the ancestral court of Chan Buddhism and the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu.
The Permanent Residence is Shaolin Temple’s core, with Mountain Gate, Heavenly King Hall, Great Buddha Hall, and Scripture Library progressing layer by layer. The footprints in the floor tiles of Thousand Buddha Hall are marks left by monks practicing martial arts.
Pagoda Forest is the cemetery of Shaolin Temple’s generations of eminent monks, with over 240 brick and stone pagodas—China’s largest pagoda forest. Each pagoda tells the story of an eminent monk.
Sanhuang Village is Mount Song’s most beautiful scenic area, with cliffside plank paths, Book Cliff, and suspension bridges—thrilling. Standing on the plank path, with bottomless abyss beneath your feet, your heart races.
Best Experience: Watch a Shaolin Kung Fu performance, learn a few self-defense moves. Climb Mount Song, watch the sunset.
Kaifeng: Dreaming Back to the Great Song#
Kaifeng was the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, depicted in “Along the River During the Qingming Festival.”
Millennium City Park is a theme park built based on “Along the River During the Qingming Festival,” recreating the prosperity of Northern Song Dongjing. Various folk performances in the park—fire breathing, stilt walking, cockfighting, Judge Bao judging cases—make you travel back to the Song Dynasty a thousand years ago.
Kaifeng Fu was the government office of the Northern Song, where Bao Zheng once judged cases. Daily performances of “Opening the Government Office” and “Judge Bao Judging Cases” are vivid and interesting.
Daxiangguo Temple was the largest temple in the Northern Song, where the story of Lu Zhishen pulling up a willow tree in “Water Margin” took place.
Best Experience: Go to Gulou Night Market in the evening, eat soup dumplings, fried jelly, and mutton pancakes—feel Kaifeng’s earthly vitality.
Special Experiences#
Anyang Yinxu#
Yinxu is the ruins of the late Shang Dynasty capital, a holy site of Chinese archaeology.
Simuwu Ding is the world’s largest bronze vessel, weighing 832 kilograms—a national treasure. Oracle Bone Script is China’s earliest mature writing, with over 150,000 oracle bones discovered at Yinxu.
Yuntai Mountain#
Yuntai Mountain is a World Geopark, with canyons, waterfalls, and lakes—beautiful scenery.
Red Stone Gorge is Yuntai’s essence, with red sandstone canyons, babbling streams, and cascading waterfalls. Zhuyu Peak is Yuntai’s main peak—climb to the top for a panoramic view of the canyon.
Henan Cuisine#
Henan cuisine is mainly noodles. Stewed Noodles is Henan’s representative, with rich broth and chewy noodles, served with mutton and cilantro—warm and satisfying. Hulatang is a Henan breakfast, spicy and fragrant, paired with youtiao—perfect match. Luoyang Water Banquet is a traditional Luoyang banquet, with 24 soupy dishes—unique flavor.
Travel Tips#
- Transportation: Zhengzhou is a transportation hub, with high-speed rail to all parts of the country. Luoyang and Kaifeng both have high-speed rail stations.
- Accommodation: In Luoyang, stay in the old city district; in Kaifeng, stay near Gulou; for Shaolin Temple, stay in Dengfeng city.
- Note: Luoyang Peony Festival is crowded—book accommodation in advance. Shaolin Temple scenic area is large—recommend a full day.
Henan’s depth cannot be understood in a day.
Standing before the giant Buddha at Longmen Grottoes, feeling 1,500 years of vicissitudes; walking into Shaolin Temple, feeling the legend of Kung Fu; wandering Kaifeng night market, feeling the Song Dynasty’s earthly vitality.
Come to Henan and touch the roots of Chinese civilization.
Tomorrow, we begin our North China journey, starting with Beijing to see the magnificence of the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.