How to Plan a Henan Tour

Henan, the "Cradle of Chinese Civilization," is a province where ancient dynasties, Buddhist heritage, and rural traditions converge. Home to UNESCO sites like the Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple, and the Yin Ruins, Henan offers a journey through China’s imperial past, martial arts legacy, and the birthplace of the Han Chinese. This guide provides a detailed roadmap for first-time visitors, blending cultural immersion with historic landscapes.

Preliminary Preparation

Visa and Permits
Foreign travelers need a valid Chinese visa. No special permits are required for most areas.

Flights
Fly to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO), the provincial hub. Direct flights connect major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an. High-speed trains link Zhengzhou to Luoyang (40 minutes), Kaifeng (30 minutes), and Anyang (1.5 hours).

Accommodation
Choose culturally rich areas:

• Luoyang: Stay near the Longmen Grottoes or in a Ming-Dynasty courtyard inn in the old city.
• Kaifeng: Opt for a hotel near the Qingming Riverside Park or Song Dynasty ruins.
• Zhengzhou: Book a hotel near the Erqi Memorial Tower or city center.

Transportation

• High-Speed Trains: Connect Zhengzhou to major cities (e.g., Luoyang, Kaifeng, Anyang).
• Metro Systems: Zhengzhou and Luoyang have efficient metro networks.
• Shared Bikes: Use Mobike or Hello Bike for short trips in cities like Kaifeng.

Weather Preparation

• Spring (Mar-May): Mild (10-20°C), ideal for grottoes and gardens.
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Warm (25-35°C), with occasional rain (avoid Jul-Aug for humidity).
• Autumn (Sep-Nov): Crisp air (10-25°C), perfect for hiking and festivals.
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Cool (0-10°C), but fewer crowds and discounted accommodations.

Essential Apps

• Google Maps/Baidu Maps: For navigation in cities.
• Chinese-English Translator: For interacting with locals.
• Henan Cultural Heritage App: A guide to historical sites and museums.

Top Attractions & Cultural Experiences

Luoyang: City of Peonies and Grottoes

• Longmen Grottoes: A UNESCO site with 110,000 Buddhist statues carved into limestone cliffs (5th-10th centuries). Explore the Fengxian Temple and Guyang Cave.
• Luoyang Old City: Wander cobblestone streets lined with Han-style buildings, tea houses, and peony gardens.
• Shaolin Temple: The birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu. Watch monks practice martial arts.
• White Horse Temple: China’s first Buddhist temple, founded in 68 CE.

Kaifeng: Song Dynasty Capital

• Qingming Riverside Park: A recreation of the Song Dynasty painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival. Explore historic bridges and pavilions.
• Kaifeng Iron Pagoda: An 11th-century brick pagoda with intricate carvings.
• Song Dynasty Ruins: Discover the remains of imperial palaces and markets.
• Kaifeng Early Tea Culture: Join locals for morning tea at a historic teahouse (e.g., Wangyue Lou).

Anyang: Yin Ruins and Oracle Bones

• Yin Ruins: The remains of the Shang Dynasty capital (13th-11th centuries BCE). Explore palace foundations and oracle bone pits.
• Chinese Text Museum: Learn about the evolution of Chinese characters through ancient artifacts.
• Anyang Zhou Village: Experience rural life in a traditional farming village.

Mount Song: Sacred to Taoism

• Songshan Shaolin Temple: Hike trails around the mountain, passing through Taoist temples and bamboo forests.
• Songyang Academy: One of China’s four great ancient academies, founded in 484 CE.
• Dahong Pagoda: Climb the 13-story pagoda for panoramic views.

Cultural Immersion

• Shaolin Kung Fu Class: Learn basic moves from a monk at the Shaolin Temple.
• Song Dynasty Tea Ceremony: Experience dian cha (powdered tea whisking) in Kaifeng.
• Henan Opera (Yuju): Watch a performance of China’s most popular regional opera.
• Festivals:
  • Luoyang Peony Festival (Apr): Flower shows and cultural performances.
  • Kaifeng Song Dynasty Culture Festival (Oct): Reenactments of imperial processions.

Suggested Travel Length & Itineraries

1-Day Itineraries

• Luoyang Focus:
  Morning: Longmen Grottoes + Fengxian Temple.
  Afternoon: Luoyang Old City + White Horse Temple.
  Evening: Shaolin Temple evening performance.

• Kaifeng Focus:
  Morning: Qingming Riverside Park + Iron Pagoda.
  Afternoon: Song Dynasty Ruins + Kaifeng Early Tea.
  Evening: Henan Opera performance.

2-Day Itineraries

• Zhengzhou-Luoyang:
  Day 1: Zhengzhou highlights (Erqi Tower, Henan Museum).
  Day 2: High-speed train to Luoyang. Visit Longmen Grottoes.

• Kaifeng-Anyang:
  Day 1: Kaifeng highlights (Qingming Park, Iron Pagoda).
  Day 2: Drive to Anyang. Explore Yin Ruins.

Multi-City Itineraries
5-Day Classic Henan Tour:
Day 1: Arrive in Zhengzhou. Visit Erqi Tower and Henan Museum.
Day 2: High-speed train to Luoyang. Explore Longmen Grottoes.
Day 3: Shaolin Temple + Luoyang Old City.
Day 4: Drive to Kaifeng. Visit Qingming Riverside Park.
Day 5: Return to Zhengzhou or fly home.

7-Day Grand Henan Tour:
Day 1-2: Zhengzhou highlights.
Day 3: High-speed train to Luoyang. Longmen Grottoes + Shaolin Temple.
Day 4: Luoyang Old City + White Horse Temple.
Day 5: Drive to Kaifeng. Qingming Park + Song Dynasty Ruins.
Day 6: Drive to Anyang. Yin Ruins + Chinese Text Museum.
Day 7: Return to Zhengzhou. Departure.

9-Day Ultimate Henan Explorer:
Day 1-2: Zhengzhou.
Day 3: Luoyang grottoes.
Day 4: Shaolin Kung Fu class.
Day 5: Luoyang Old City.
Day 6: Kaifeng Song Dynasty reenactments.
Day 7: Anyang Yin Ruins.
Day 8: Mount Song hiking.
Day 9: Return to Zhengzhou. Departure.

Best Time to Visit Henan

The optimal months are April-May and September-November, when skies are clear, and festivals like The Luoyang Peony Festival (April) and Kaifeng Song Dynasty Culture Festival (October) occur. Avoid July-August (heat and humidity) and December-February (chilly temperatures in the north).

How to Get to Henan

• By Air: Direct flights to Zhengzhou from major Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) and international hubs (Seoul, Singapore).
• By Train: High-speed trains link Henan to Xi’an (2 hours), Wuhan (3 hours), and Beijing (4 hours).
• By Road: Overland buses from Shanxi (Pingyao) or Shandong (Jinan).

Where to Stay in Henan

• Luoyang:
  • Luxury: Luoyang Easton Hotel (private balconies with grotto views).
  • Budget: Longmen Guesthouse (central location, shared courtyards).
• Kaifeng:
  • Kaifeng Zhongzhou International Hotel: Rooms with views of the Iron Pagoda.
• Zhengzhou:
  • Shangri-La Zhengzhou: Lakeside resort with traditional architecture.

Try the Local Cuisine

Henan’s cuisine, known as Yuxiang, is hearty and flavorful, featuring wheat-based dishes and slow-cooked meats:

• Luoyang Water Table Banquet (Shuixi): A 24-dish feast served in a flowing layout, featuring lotus seed soup and steamed buns.
• Kaifeng Stewed Noodles (Hulutang): Thick noodles in a spicy broth with lamb and vegetables.
• Anyang Pancake (Shaobing): Flaky, layered pancakes stuffed with pork or sweet bean paste.
• Henan Braised Noodles (Hunmian): Hand-pulled noodles in a savory meat sauce.
• Lotus Seed Soup (Lianzi Ru): A sweet soup made with lotus seeds and rock sugar.

Recommended Restaurants:

• Luoyang: Lao Cheng Yi Jia (Longmen Grottoes) for water table banquets.
• Kaifeng: First Floor Restaurant (Qingming Park) for stewed noodles.

Useful Tips for Henan Trips

Safety and Health

• Heat and Humidity: Summer (Jun-Aug) can be sticky. Wear lightweight clothing and stay hydrated.
• Sun Protection: UV levels are high. Wear SPF 50+ and a hat.
• Cold Weather: Winter (Dec-Feb) can be damp. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket.

Respect for Culture

• Temples and Grottoes: Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees). Avoid loud voices in sacred spaces.
• Photography: Ask permission before photographing people, especially in rural areas. Avoid flash in museums.
• Bazaars: Bargain politely; start at 30% of the asking price.
• Tea Culture: When offered tea, accept with both hands as a sign of respect.

Transportation in Henan

• Private Drivers: Hire a local driver for remote areas (e.g., Yin Ruins, Mount Song). Negotiate rates in advance.
• Shared Bikes: Use Mobike or Hello Bike for short trips in cities like Zhengzhou.
• Train Tickets: Book high-speed trains via the China Railway 12306 app.

Shopping and Souvenirs

• Authentic Buys:
  • Luoyang Peony Products: Perfumes, teas, or silk scarves with peony motifs.
  • Kaifeng Calligraphy: Brushes, ink, and paper from the Song Dynasty ruins.
  • Anyang Oracle Bone Replicas: Miniature turtle shells with ancient inscriptions.

Unique Insights and Avoiding Pitfalls

• Longmen Grottoes: Visit early (8-10 AM) to avoid crowds.
• Shaolin Temple: Join morning prayers (7-8 AM) for a serene experience.
• Kaifeng Song Dynasty Festival: Book accommodations 3 months in advance.
• Yin Ruins: Never touch oracle bones; they are fragile artifacts.

Travel to Henan With IntoTravelChina

Discover Henan’s ancient wonders with IntoTravelChina. Our local experts design personalized itineraries that respect Yuxiang cuisine, Shaolin Kung Fu, and Yin Dynasty heritage while exploring iconic sites like the Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple, and Kaifeng’s Song Dynasty ruins. Contact us to plan your journey to the “Cradle of Chinese Civilization.”

For more details and custom tour packages, visit our website and explore our Henan travel guides. Let IntoTravelChina be your gateway to an unforgettable Henan adventure.