One Week in Depth Travel in Henan Province

Henan Shaolin Kung Fu

Chasing the origins of China and discovering the depths of Chinese history by visiting the ancient temples and other historic relics, I made a luxury tour of Henan Province, and had a unforgettable time.

The great wealth of history and culture of Henan Province really took me aback. The old-style buildings and the Chinese old folk culture impressed me a lot. Apart from the architecture and the culture, the natural scenery of Mt. Yuntai was stunning and wonderful.

Food in Henan is full of local features. Pastries are the main dishes. Among the dishes the water feast in Luoyang and the steamed dumpling feast in Kaifeng are my favorites.

It seldom rains in Henan Province. It was hot outdoors in August. The sunshine was so strong I almost got sunburnt.

You can read Top Things to Do in Henan Province for more practical travel tips in Henan Province.

• Key words: Chinese history and culture, Chinese Kung Fu, Shaolin, temples, museums, the Yellow River

For the itinerary below:

• The attractions and foods with "*" are characteristic and highly recommended.It was Chauffer-driven MPV and private tour all the way.
• Most breakfasts and dinners are provided by local hotels. They are authentic and high-quality.
• Hotels: I stayed in four-star or five-star establishments with sophisticated decoration and warm service.
• Recommended local products: Zhengzhou Xinzheng dates, Chinese yams at Mt. Yuntai, and Kaifeng Bian Embroidery.

Day 1: Songyang Academy, Shaolin Temple and Shaolin Zen Music Ritual - Dengfeng

• Transport: Guilin to Zhengzhou by flight from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport in the morning (about 2 hours)
• Lunch: Xingyuan Hotel in Zhengzhou
• Zhengzhou → Dengfeng: one and a half hours' drive

1. Songyang Academy

• Transport: one hour's drive from Zhengzhou Xingyuan Hotel
• Duration: about one hour

2. *Shaolin Temple (including Shaolin Kung Fu Performance)

• Transport: half an hour's drive from Songyang Academy
• Duration: about two hours
• Supper: *Yongtai Temple Restaurant for a vegetarian meal

3. *Shaolin Zen Music Ritual

• Transport: 10 minutes' drive from Shaolin Temple
• Duration: 70 minutes

1. Dengfeng → Luoyang: one and a half hours' drive
2. Accommodation in Luoyang: Luoyang Peony Hotel

Day 2: Longmen Grottoes, Guanlin Temple and the White Horse Temple - Luoyang

1. *Longmen Grottoes

• Transport: one hour's drive from Luoyang Peony Hotel
• Duration: two hours

2. Guanlin Temple

• Transport: 30 minutes' drive from Longmen Grottoes
• Duration: one hour

Lunch: *the water feast in Luoyang Longfeng Restaurant

3. *White Horse Temple

• Transport: one hour and a half's drive from Gunalin Temple
• Duration: one and a half hours

1. Luoyang → Jiaozuo: two and a half hours' drive
2. Accommodation in Jiaozuo: Shanyang Jianguo Hotel

Day 3: *Mt. Yuntai - Jiaozuo

• Transport: about one hour's drive from Shanyang Jianguo Hotel
• Lunch: Tianyuan Restaurant in Mt. Yuntai

1. Jiaozuo → Anyang: three hours' drive
2. Accommodation in Anyang: Anyang Hotel

Day 4: Yinxu Museum, Museum of Chinese Writing, Ruins of Youli City and Yuefei Temple - Anyang

1. *Yinxu Museum

• Transport: 15 minutes' drive from Anyang Hotel
• Duration: one and a half hours

2. *Museum of Chinese Writing

• Transport: half an hour's drive from Yinxu Museum
• Duration: one hour

1. Lunch: the restaurant near the Museum of Chinese Writing

3. Ruins of Youli City

• Transport: half an hour's drive from Museum of Chinese Writing
• Duration: about one hour

4. Yuefei Temple

• Transport: 20 minutes' drive from Ruins of Youli City
• Duration: one hour

1. Anyang → Linzhou: 40 minutes' drive
2. Accommodation in Linzhou: Linzhou Huifeng Hotel

Day 5: The Red Canal and the Paragliding Site - Linzhou

1. The Red Canal

• Transport: one hour's drive from Linzhou Huifeng Hotel
• Duration: 2 hours

2. The Paragliding Site

• Transport: two hours' drive from the Red Canal
• Duration: three hours (including the transport)

1. Linzhou → Kaifeng: four hours' drive
2. Accommodation in Kaifeng: Kaifeng Zhongzhou International Hotel

Day 6: Kaifeng Museum and Millennium City Park - Kaifeng

1. Kaifeng Museum

• Transport: three and a half hours' drive from Kaifeng Zhongzhou International Hotel
• Duration: one hour

2. *Millennium City Park

• Transport: 10 minutes' drive from Kaifeng Museum
• Duration: five hours (including 70 minutes' night performance)

Lunch: the restaurant on the food street in Millennium City Park
Supper: eat Steamed Dumplings in Kaifeng Diyilou

1. Kaifeng → Zhengzhou: one and a half hours' drive
2. Accommodation in Zhengzhou: Zhengzhou Novotel Convention Centre Hotel

Day 7: the Yellow River Scenic Area and Henan National Museum - Zhengzhou

1. the Yellow River Scenic Area (including a cruise on the river)

• Transport: one hour's driver from Zhengzhou Novotel Convention Centre Hotel
• Duration: two and a half hours

2. *Henan National Museum

• Transport: one hour's drive from the Yellow River Scenic Area
• Duration: one and a half hours

Return to Guilin: two hours by flight from Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport

Want a trip to Henan Province to discover Chinese history and ancient China? Contact us for a tailor-made tour or a tour of Zhengzhou, Kaifeng, or Luoyang.