5 Days Henan Cultural Tour to Ancient Capitals

Full Itinerary Day by day (Can Be Customized)

Day 1 Zhengzhou Arrival

Welcome to Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province.

After check in hotel, our guide will take you to visit the Henan Museum (Henan Provincial Museum) to explore the ancient cultural city relics. Then you will head for Yellow River Scenic Area, where you can view the hanging mighty Yellow River run to plain.

After that you come to the Erqi Memorial Tower (February 7 Monument) which is a historical building to commemorate people who contributed to the strike on February 7, 1923.

Stay overnight in Zhengzhou.

Day 2 Zhengzhou - Kaifeng - Zhengzhou (B, L)

This morning tour will take you to Kaifeng with 1 hour's drive to visit Dragon Pavilion, a part of the ancient ruin of the imperial palace of the Song and Jin Dynasties. Then visit the Grand Xiangguo Monastery, which related to so many legends, dramas, and fictions, full of legendary color.

After lunch, you will visit the Millennium City Park, which is a real reflection of Zhangzeduan’s most famous artwork-a panaromic silk scroll tilltled ‘Qingming Shanghe He (Along the River at the Qingming Festival)’. This historical cultural theme park is a recreation of the buildings, merchant life and landscape in Kaifeng during the Song Dynasty.

Later, you will explore Kaifeng Iron Pagoda, a Buddhist Chinese pagoda built in 1049 during Song Dynasty. This pagoda is made of iron, with octagonal-base structure standing at a height of 56.88 meters with 13 stories.

After the visit, driven back to Zhengzhou.

Day 3 Zhengzhou - Dengfeng (B, L)

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to visit the Astronomical Observatory near Dengfeng City. Built by astronomer Guoshoujin in Yuan Dynasty, it has a history over 700 years till today, and it's the existing oldest astronomical observatory in China. 

Keep driving about 25km to the final destination of today - Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and the cradle of Kung Fu. You will visit the grandiose temples and halls, admire stone carving art, learn about Buddhism culture, observe the daily living and meditation of monks in the temple. Don't miss the famous Pagoda Forest, the existing largest pagoda forest in China. When an important monk passed away, their cremains or skeleton would be put into the underground palace, and a pagoda will be built on it. The pagoda's height, size and number of layers will be decided according to the monk's Buddhism knowledge, reputation and merits and virtues when during his lifetime. The pagodas here were built in different dynasties, including 2 Tang Dynasty pagodas, 2 Song Dynasty Pagodas, 10 Jin Dynasty pagodas, 46 Yuan Dynasty pagodas, 148 Ming Dynasty pagodas, etc. 

Then continue your visit to enjoy a magnificent free Kung Fu Show in the Shaolin Wushu Hall, lasting for half hour each day. In order to enjoy more about Kung Fu, you have about 2 hours Kung Fu training experience in Shaolin Temple.

After that, drive back to Dengfeng City for accommodation.

Day 4 Dengfeng - Luoyang (B, L)

After breakfast, drive about 75km to Luoyang, one of the greatest ancient capital city in China. Upon arrival at Luoyang, start today's trip with a visit to White Horse Temple, about 30 minutes' driving from central downtown.

Established in AD 68 of Eastern Han dynasty, White Horse Temple is the first Buddhist temple in China with over 1900 years history. Since then, it spread the Buddhism throughout of China and regard as the cradle of Chinese Buddhism. According to historical legend, Emperor Mingdi of the Eastern Han Dynasty dreamed of a golden man flying above the courtyard. He then sent envoys to Western Regions to invite Buddha and learn Buddhism. Two years later, the Indian dignitaries- She Moteng (摄摩腾) and Zhu Falan(竺法兰) came to China at Mingdi's invitation with a white horse carrying the sutras together. Then the White Horse Temple was built to place and translate the sutras brought by the Indian dignitaries. 

Later, proceed to visit Longmen Grottoes. Densely scattered along the cliffs on both banks of Yi River, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Longmen Grottoes contain the largest and most impressive collection of Chinese art of the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties (316-907). You’ll appreciate the Chinese Buddhist art by visiting the major caves (Fengxian Temple, Guyang Cave, Three Bingyang Caves etc.) with notable displays of Buddhist sculptures and calligraphic inscriptions.

Lastly, take a visit to the local historical Musuem - Luoyang Museum to learn about Luoyang's long history of being capitals for 13 ancient Chinese dynasties and colorfl culture.

Day 5 Luoyang Departure (B)

Today, you will be free to arrange your time, before tour guide takes you to the airport or train station to catch your next trip. This will be an end of your this Henan Culture tour!

The quotation for this trip is from Per Person

1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2021.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1= RMB 6.9. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.

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