Live Your Best Lives
Understanding Henan means understanding China. “A history of Henan is half of the history of China.” Henan is extremely important to China.
Located in the heart of the world, the motherland's breadbasket, and home to an advanced Central Plains civilization, yet somehow, this once-competitive ancient capital has become the most vilified province. It wasn't until the 2020 Spring Festival, thanks to Henan's impressive performance in combating the pandemic, that the nation rediscovered the reliable, honest, and down-to-earth Henan.
But Henan is much more than that. The real Henan is a low-key invisible knight, the hometown of all the descendants of Yan and Huang, and a place that is more Chinese than China itself. It has a thousand-year history and requires us to get close to it, read it, and understand it.
“When you feel you are not doing well, go to Taihang Mountain.”
No one is unfamiliar with the Taihang Mountains. Even if you don't know where they are or have never seen their appearance, you still feel an inexplicable familiarity and closeness to them, like an ancestral mark. This mark is called: Yugong Moves the Mountains.
Many people have heard of Guoliang, but not Wanxian Mountain. In fact, the Guoliang Hanging Wall is part of Wanxian Mountain. The Hanging Wall Highway is unique to the Taihang Mountains. Its construction demonstrates the Chinese spirit of man conquering nature. It is a wonder of the world and the pride of China.
(@touriststhreecolors)
The Guoliang Hanging Wall resembles a giant dragon winding through the red rock cliffs. It is hard to imagine how it was carved out without sufficient explosives, food, and tools.
The Guoliang Cliffs are the only pedestrian-friendly cliff roads. Take your children on a walk through them, listen to stories, observe the geology, and experience what Taihang Mountain and China are all about.
Besides the renowned Guo Liang, Wanxian Mountain also boasts Danfengou, a sacred spot where Laozi divided his elixir and immortals attained enlightenment. Here, you can escape the scorching summer heat and admire the majestic Taihang Mountains in spring and autumn. In summer, you can indulge in water activities to cool off, and in winter, you can gaze at icy waterfalls stretching for thousands of miles.
Tips:
Wanxian Mountain is composed of three scenic areas: Nanping (Danfengou), Guoliang, and Luojiezhai.
Ticket + scenic bus: 107 yuan, scenic bus required
Yuntaishan is a unique geological park and a 5A-level demonstration scenic spot emulated by the whole country. It is praised as "the most beautiful symphony of mountains and rivers."
With your baby, you can study the geological landforms that are hundreds of millions of years old in Hongshi Gorge, watch the gurgling mountain springs and winding waterfalls in Xiaozhaigou, and climb up Zhuyu Peak to sing a duet with Wang Wei of the past, "Remembering My Brothers in Shandong on the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month".
Hongshi Gorge: With a landform that is hundreds of millions of years old, you can feel the changes that have taken place over the centuries. The average temperature is 25°C all year round, making it a great place to escape the summer heat and enjoy the scenery.
Xiaozhaigou: The terrain is flat, you can play in the water, enjoy the waterfalls, and walk around without getting tired.
Zhuyu Peak: "I know my brothers are climbing the mountain, but there is one less person wearing the dogwood branches" is both cultural and scenic.
Tips:
Play in Yuntaishan: It is mainly divided into three parts: Hongshixia (the most classic part of Yuntaishan, a must-see), Xiaozhaigou (seeing waterfalls, playing in the water, and Mihou Valley), and Zhuyufeng (climbing, there is a cable car, and people with poor legs and physical fitness can choose not to go). There are small attractions in the middle of each part, and there are special scenic shuttle buses connecting the small scenic spots.
Food and accommodation in Yuntaishan: There are 5 service areas in Yuntaishan Scenic Area, each of which provides food and accommodation, and has a parking spot for scenic area shuttle buses. Among them, the shore service area is closest to the scenic area and is the most convenient for food, accommodation and shopping.
Yuntaishan Ticket: 120 yuan for the ticket + 60 yuan for the scenic shuttle bus
Henan Province has four of China's eight ancient capitals. Henan's millennia-long history is inseparable from the stories that took place in these ancient capitals.
The Henan Provincial Museum is a national key museum and one of China's earliest established museums. With exhibition halls covering over 10,000 square meters, it houses a collection of 140,000 cultural relics, most of which were excavated in the early 20th century in Shangqiu, Luoyang, Anyang, Kaifeng, Xichuan, Sanmenxia, Huixian, and Xinzheng. Its collection is particularly distinguished by prehistoric artifacts, Shang and Zhou bronzes, and ceramics and jade artifacts from various dynasties. Over 5,000 of its collections are national first- and second-class cultural relics of exceptional historical, cultural, and artistic value, with some items considered national treasures.
(Fuhao Owl Zun, Henan Museum)
Secondly, if you're interested, bring your child to enjoy the museum's "Chinese Ancient Music Performance." This performance is an extension of the Henan Museum's display of musical artifacts, including bone flutes, xun instruments, chime bells, guqin instruments, and qin harps. It combines millennia-old musical artifacts with the intangible cultural heritage of music. The instruments, music, and costumes featured in the performance are experimental recreations of archaeological research findings. Explore and listen to the sounds and stories of these ancient Chinese instruments with your child.
(Chinese ancient music performance)
Tips:
Henan Provincial Museum is closed on Mondays. The Chinese Ancient Music Performance is an additional fee-based program within the museum. The performance lasts about 1 hour and the ticket price is about 60-80 yuan per person.
Shaolin Temple
Shaolin Temple is a well-known name in China and even in the world. It is famous for its Shaolin Kung Fu. It is also the birthplace of Zen Buddhism, the origin of martial arts, and the most famous temple in the world.
“Shaolin Kung Fu originates from all over the world, and Shaolin Kung Fu is the best in the world.” When you are in Shaolin Temple, you must take your baby to watch an authentic [Shaolin Kung Fu performance] to watch the monks demonstrate their eighteen martial arts. It would be best if you can also [learn Shaolin Kung Fu] from the martial artists themselves and fulfill your own martial arts dream!
After watching the martial arts performance, visit the Permanent Residence, where the Shaolin monks live and practice martial arts. You can find the trees where the monks practice the One Finger Kung Fu and the cauldrons where they hang upside down. You'll also visit the Pagoda Forest, a collection of ancient pagodas where eminent monks from past dynasties are buried.
Sanhuangzhai
Sanhuangzhai is located in the mountain behind Shaolin Temple and is part of the Shaolin Temple Scenic Area. Shaolin Temple is so famous that it often overlooks Mount Song, the Central Peak. In my opinion, Sanhuangzhai offers the most beautiful natural scenery in the Central Peak.
Xu Xiake, a great traveler in the Ming Dynasty, wrote in a poem: "Songshan is the most mysterious mountain in the world, Shaoshi is dangerous and unique, and if you haven't been to Sanhuangzhai, you haven't been to Shaolin." Sanhuangzhai has lush forests with a wide variety of species; the geological types are complete, the rock ages are ancient, the structures are peculiar, the development is complete, and the exposure is good. Within a limited range, you can see various landforms from the five geological ages of Archaeocene, Archaic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic, and it is called a "natural geological museum" by geologists.
So if you bring your baby here, you might as well come and see this rare geology and climb Mount Song.
Songyang Academy, a renowned institution of higher learning in ancient China and one of the four great academies of ancient China, is part of the Tiandizhong Historical Building Complex, a World Cultural Heritage Site. Located at the southern foot of Mount Song in Dengfeng, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, Songyang Academy boasts a simple and elegant architecture. Its main building, situated on the central axis, comprises five courtyards and complete corridors.
Songyang Academy, due to its unique Confucian educational architecture, is known as a "specimen" for studying ancient Chinese academy architecture, educational system and Confucian culture. So why not bring your baby to Songyang Academy, the world's top institution of learning during the Northern Song Dynasty, change into Hanfu, worship Confucius, recite classics together, and experience the important traditional cultural etiquette of the Chinese nation.
The Dengfeng Observatory, an observatory dating back to the Yuan Dynasty, is a renowned Chinese astronomical institution. It was here that Guo Shoujing determined the precise times of the 24 solar terms, the summer and winter solstices, and the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. He implemented the then-most advanced calendar, the Shoushili, and calculated a tropical year of 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes, and 12 seconds, a difference of only 26 seconds from the current measurement.
If you are interested in astronomy, you can ask a professional lecturer to teach you how the 24 solar terms were established, the scientific principles of devices such as sundials and clepsydras, and become a little astronomer.
(Observatory - Measuring Tools)
(Observatory--Sundial)
This is the starting point of the Yellow River's "hanging river," the end point of the Loess Plateau, and the dividing line between the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. It is renowned for its magnificent river scenery and its rich and ancient Yellow River culture. Over 40 scenic spots are dotted here, including the "Giant Sculptures of Emperors Yan and Huang," the Yellow River Stele Forest, and the spot where Chairman Mao inspected the Yellow River.
The colossal statues of Emperors Yan and Huang, constructed using a blend of traditional Chinese sculpture and architecture, stand 106 meters tall, making them among the tallest sculptures in the world. Combining the vast desert, the Yellow River, the mountains, and the oasis, they capture the majestic beauty of the Yellow River in the northwest and the graceful scenery of the south of the Yangtze River, evoking the sentiment of "lonely smoke rising from the desert, the setting sun rounding the long river."
Along the Yellow River, families can listen to the "Yellow River Cantata" and savor the river's magnificent glory! You can also take the Yellow River Cableway for a close-up experience of the river itself. Experience the artificial sand slide, recognized by the Shanghai World Guinness World Records, with the highest drop ever recorded. Then, visit the Yellow River Geological Museum for a truly immersive experience of the Yellow River, complete with engaging interactive activities.
In Chinese folk culture, New Year pictures symbolize the Lunar New Year, and the New Year is not considered complete without them. Woodblock New Year pictures are a traditional Chinese folk art form with a long history and are considered an encyclopedia reflecting Chinese society.
Among them, the most famous woodblock New Year paintings include: Liangping in Chongqing, Yangliuqing in Tianjin, Wuqiang in Hebei, Weifang in Shandong, Taohuawu in Suzhou, Zhuxian Town in Henan, and Mianzhu in Sichuan.
The experience of woodblock New Year paintings includes: New Year painting explanations, watching animations, making, coloring, engraving, etc. You can choose according to your baby's age and hobbies. Normally, the experience ranges from half a day to three days depending on the depth of the experience.
Honestly, the Buddha statues at Longmen Grottoes are truly stunning. Longmen Grottoes is a World Cultural Heritage site and one of China's three great grotto art treasures. A visit allows you to learn about the history of the Grottoes and the unique characteristics of the Buddha statues from various dynasties. Besides immersing yourself in the Buddhist atmosphere, you can also admire exquisite calligraphy. It's more than just a showcase of Buddhist culture; it's a microcosm of history and a cultural fashion.
The Longmen Grottoes are located on the banks of the Luo River, with excellent feng shui and beautiful natural scenery.
Luoyang Museum is one of the best museums in Henan Province. It has a collection of more than 400,000 cultural relics and more than 11,000 cultural relics on display. The main exhibits include the Han and Tang Dynasty Pottery Museum, the Tang Dynasty Tri-color Pottery Museum, the Stone Carving Museum, the Calligraphy and Painting Museum, the Wang Xiu Peony Art Museum, etc. The museum's collection is among the largest in the country. If you bring your baby here, it is definitely a good place to broaden your horizons.
The Luoyang Ancient Art Museum, formerly known as the Luoyang Ancient Tomb Museum, is highly recommended for fans of "Grave Robbers' Chronicles" or anyone interested in ancient tombs. As the saying goes, "There's little vacant land on the northern Mang Mountains, filled with the tombs of Luoyang residents." Luoyang's numerous ancient tombs span a vast expanse, and the Luoyang Ancient Tomb Museum, a specialized museum built upon this rich tapestry, is a world leader in its vastness, unique style, and rich collection of ancient tombs, encompassing a vast range of ages, types, and numbers. It is a truly remarkable sight in China.
Frescoes in the Museum of Ancient Art
This cemetery-style museum is worth a visit if you're timid but still want to explore.
The Dingdingmen Ruins, known as the longest-used ancient capital gate in my country, offer professional archaeological exploration activities, including a visit to the Sui and Tang Nanshi Ruins Park, a demonstration and trial of using a Luoyang shovel, a simulated archaeological treasure hunt, and a simulated cultural relic restoration. Each session is guided by professional instructors. Both parents and children are guaranteed to gain valuable insights.
(Dingdingmen Ruins)
(Learn to use the Luoyang shovel + simulate archaeology)
(Simulation of restoration of cultural relics)
The Mingtang Paradise Scenic Area was built in the core area of the ruins of the Luoyang Palace City of the Sui and Tang Dynasties. It was an important place for the former Empress Wu Zetian to govern, worship Buddha, and live her life. It was also the filming location of "Running Man" in Luoyang.
The scenic area is magnificent, with various performances and some interactive experiences, such as the mock exam that Zheng Kai played at the time.
Zheng Kai answers questions on the imperial examination
China has a crown and robes with gorgeous patterns, so it is called Hua, and because of its grand rituals, it is called Xia, which is called "Huaxia".
Hanfu enthusiasts are increasingly becoming more and more popular, and public acceptance of the garment is growing. Many young women are even wearing it on the street. As Hanfu enthusiasts know, an authentic Hanfu set costs at least 1,000 yuan (hold tight on your wallet), and outside of photo shoots, major holidays, and outings, you don't often get to wear it. Therefore, renting Hanfu is a great option, and it also allows you to learn Hanfu etiquette. Every time I see people bowing and greeting on TV, their gestures are so incredibly elegant, polite, and approachable!
Luoyang's Tang Dynasty tri-colored glazed pottery is renowned, and the Luoyang Museum boasts a wide variety of authentic, historic examples. But seeing more is never as good as making one yourself. In Mengjin Tri-colored glazed pottery town, you can not only admire and learn about Tang tri-colored glazed pottery, but you can also make one yourself, shaping and glazing it—just thinking about it makes you feel impressive!
Tips:
Experience location: Luoyang Mengjin Tri-color Town
Fee: 100 yuan/person
The production of a sancai work requires the following processes: shaping - firing - pouring the mold - glazing - firing - air drying, etc. It takes about 3 days. Due to time constraints, we only arrange the experience of shaping and glazing. The rest of the steps will be completed by the staff and then delivered home.
Experience time: about 2-3 hours
The Qingming Shanghe Park is based on the giant scroll painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by Northern Song Dynasty painter Zhang Zeduan (there is a carving of this famous painting in the scenic area), recreating the prosperous scene of Tokyo Kaifeng. The staff in the scenic area are all dressed in Song Dynasty costumes, and there is an endless stream of folk performances such as stilt walking, folk fire breathing, and cockfighting, which is very lively (highly recommended, you can spend a whole day watching the performances there, and choose to stay in the scenic area at night for a unique night view. You can enter and exit the scenic area multiple times a day).
Justice Bao is the idol of many children, so if you want to learn more about him in Kaifeng, the first place to go is Kaifeng Mansion. However, it has been rebuilt later and no part of the original building remains.
The night market has everything. Here you can see the most real life and eat the most authentic Kaifeng cuisine.
Take a cruise or stroll on the river in Kaifeng, listen to the songs of the Song Dynasty that have been passed down for thousands of years, see the dim lights and lantern-filled cruise ships, and it is as if you have traveled back to Bianliang a thousand years ago and heard the sounds of prosperity a thousand years ago.
Yinxu is the ruins of a capital city from the late Shang Dynasty in China. It is the first confirmed capital city in Chinese history and was listed as a World Cultural Heritage in 2006.
The Yinxu Scenic Area is divided into two parts, the Yinxu Ancestral Temple and Palace Ruins Protection Zone and the Yinxu Royal Tombs Ruins Protection Zone. When visiting, people usually go to the palace and ancestral temple ruins first, where there is the Tomb of Fu Hao and the Yinxu Museum.
The Chinese Character Museum is China's first museum dedicated to characters. It houses 4,123 cultural relics, including 305 first-class items. These collections cover topics such as oracle bone inscriptions, bronze inscriptions, bamboo slips, and silk manuscripts, as well as the history of Chinese character development, Chinese calligraphy, minority languages, and world scripts. Here, you can learn about the history of characters.
While visiting scenic spots and historical sites may not be as exciting as natural scenery, just as history is far less engaging than entertainment,
we still need to see, hear, and learn, connecting with the destination and its history through experiential activities. Because the history we read, the scenery we see, and the people we meet become a part of ourselves.
Then, no matter where we go or who we meet, when they say, "Our place is so beautiful, our so-and-so is so amazing, our so-and-so is so great,"
we can stand tall and confidently say, "China also has beautiful scenery, awe-inspiring history, and world-changing technology!"
In short, we learn about history in order to progress within it; we learn about scenery in order to live in harmony with nature; and we learn about people in order to become better versions of ourselves.
Parents are welcome to bring their babies to Henan, where they can appreciate the greatness of nature and learn something from the wheel of history.
Note: Some pictures are from Baidu. If there is any infringement, please contact the editor to delete them.
