Live Your Best Lives
Shaolin Temple, Longmen Grottoes, South Taihang Mountains... When mentioning these, most people will immediately think of Henan.
But the Central Plains boasts so much more than just these remarkable landscapes. I'd like to take you on a journey through history through Henan's four ancient capitals: Anyang, Luoyang, Dengfeng, and Kaifeng. I'd also like to take you on a journey through the Taihang and Yuntai Mountains, where you'll enjoy the beauty and feel the "Soul of Henan," allowing you to fully appreciate the beauty of Henan.
I highly recommend this [Panoramic Henan] route. We will visit the four ancient capitals, appreciate the beauty of South Taihang Mountain and Yuntaishan Mountain, and visit the Red Flag Canal to experience the power of man over nature up close. Standing at the intersection of ancient and modern Henan, we will have a deeper understanding of this magnificent and implicit Central Plains.
Anyang City, formerly known as Yin, is located at the junction of Henan, Shanxi and Hebei provinces. Anyang City is the site of the world cultural heritage Yin Ruins and the site where oracle bone inscriptions were unearthed. It is known as the "City of Writing".
Yinxu, the ruins of the late Shang Dynasty capital, lies on both sides of the Huan River in the northwest suburbs of Anyang, Henan Province. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you're interested in oracle bone inscriptions, bronze artifacts, and the tomb of Fu Hao, this is a must-see!
In the Yinxu Museum, modern digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and multimedia have brought cultural relics, documents, and oracle bone records "to life." For example, the museum uses naked-eye 3D technology. The new museum will vividly present more than 20 precious Shang Dynasty cultural relics, such as the kneeling jade figure and the Yalong bull statue, in the same space. You will be shocked as soon as you enter.
Focusing on the theme of Shang civilization, the museum has three basic displays: "Exploring Shang Civilization", "The Great Shang Civilization" and "The World's Shang Civilization", as well as four special exhibitions: "The Sound of Chariots and Horses - Exhibition of Chariot and Horse Relics from Yinxu", "The Royal Capital and the Four Directions", "Who Are You - Special Exhibition of Oracle Bones from the East Site of Huayuanzhuang, Yinxu" and "Where Did Chang Come From - Special Exhibition of the Tomb of Sub-Chang in the East Site of Huayuanzhuang, Yinxu", and one special immersive digital exhibition: "Seeing the Great Shang Again".
The Shang Dynasty flourished, its capital at the pinnacle of the world. Cultures from all corners converged here, blending to create a vibrant tapestry. A flourishing urban civilization, a brilliant Chinese character system, a sophisticated ritual and music culture, a developed bronze culture, and sophisticated craftsmanship... Step inside the Yinxu Museum, and the "Great Shang" of over 3,000 years ago begins to unveil its mysteries, unfolding before us.
In addition to Yinxu, Anyang has many other treasure destinations that you can visit slowly if you have time.
Chinese Character Museum: The world's first museum with characters as its theme, it displays the evolution history of various scripts such as oracle bone script, bronze inscription, and seal script. It is an indispensable place to understand the development of Chinese characters.
Tangyin Yue Fei Temple: Also known as the Temple of Yue Zhongwu Wang of the Song Dynasty and the Temple of Yue Fei's Loyalty. Yue Fei was a renowned general who fought against the Jin Dynasty during the Southern Song Dynasty. A native of Tangyin, Xiangzhou (present-day Tangyin County, Anyang City, Henan Province), he was ranked first among the "Four Generals of the Southern Song Restoration." As one of Anyang's most famous tourist attractions, the Tangyin Yue Fei Temple is a popular tourist destination.
Cao Cao Gaoling: also known as Cao Cao's Tomb, is the tomb of Cao Cao, King Wu of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period.
Anyang Confucius Temple: One of the largest and best-preserved Confucian temples in Chinese history, it is dedicated to the great educator Confucius. Its grandeur and exquisite architecture echo the ancient Confucian philosophy within its sacred and solemn atmosphere.
Lin County has historically suffered from severe drought and water shortages. To address this water shortage, the Lin County Party Committee decided to divert water from the Zhuozhang River to Lin County, thus initiating the construction of the Red Flag Canal. The Red Flag Canal Scenic Area is renowned for its pioneering spirit and the unique natural scenery of the Taihang Mountains. The scenic area includes attractions such as the Dividing Water Garden, the Youth Cave, and the Luosi Pond, each with its own unique charm and educational significance.
From old photos, we can experience the hardships and efforts of our predecessors, sigh at the spirit of the times, and be inspired!
The comparison between the past and the present is extremely shocking! The world has changed so much, and this project will benefit future generations, which is really awe-inspiring!
The towering Taihang Mountains stretch for 800 miles, and the scenery of the Taihang Mountains has always been a favorite! When you come to the southern Taihang Mountains, you must not miss Wanxian Mountain.
It is said that the story of the Lotus Lantern took place in Wanxian Mountain. Standing at the foot of the mountain, the steep and magnificent mountain comes into view, with clouds and mist lingering in the mountains. It is truly the birthplace of various legends.
When visiting Wanxian Mountain, you must pass through Guoliang Cave, the first tunnel across a cliff in South Taihang Mountains. 13 tough men worked in mid-air, and the blasted slag was cleaned up by the men, women, and children of the entire village. It took five years for Guoliang Cave to be opened to traffic. This modern version of the story of Yugong moving the mountains is truly moving.
Yuntaishan, the essence of the Taihang Mountains, attracts countless tourists with its unique Danxia landforms and unique climate with no distinction between seasons.
Yuntaishan includes many famous attractions such as Hongshi Gorge, Xiaozhaigou, Macaque Valley, and Zhuyu Peak. Among them, Zhuyu Peak is the highest point of Yuntaishan, and the Yuntaitian Waterfall at the end of Quanpu Gorge is the waterfall with the largest single-stage drop in Asia.
Hongshi Gorge is a rare Danxia landform in northern China, where the rare red rocks and gurgling water intertwine beautifully. Almost everyone who visits Yuntaishan will visit Hongshi Gorge.
Yuntaishan is cool and pleasant in summer, and even in winter, it is full of greenery and spring all year round. It is known as the "Eternal Spring Valley" or "Wenpanyu".
Luoyang is located in the western part of Henan Province, spanning both sides of the middle reaches of the Yellow River. The terrain here is high in the west and low in the east, with mountains and hills interlaced. It has many mountain ranges and numerous rivers, and beautiful natural scenery.
From a historical perspective, Luoyang is a crucial birthplace of Chinese civilization, boasting nearly 5,000 years of history. Thirteen dynasties established their capitals here, leaving behind a wealth of cultural and artistic treasures. For example, the Longmen Grottoes, a landmark attraction in Luoyang renowned for its exquisite stone carvings, and the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, China's first state-run temple, are known as the "birthplace of Chinese Buddhism."
After arriving in Luoyang, we will go to Mengjin Sancai Town - "Zhangjia Caiyao" to visit the folk collection of fine Tang Sancai, which houses ceramic treasures from the Han Dynasty to the Song and Yuan Dynasties.
Yellow, green and white are the main colors of Tang Sancai. As one of the important representatives of Chinese ceramic art, Tang Sancai has unique production technology, rich artistic expression and profound historical and cultural connotations.
We also arranged for you to visit the Sancai workshop and make Tang Sancai yourself. You can apply the paint according to your own ideas and get a unique Sancai ornament.
The moment I received the finished product, I felt a great sense of accomplishment.
Located approximately 12 kilometers east of Luoyang City, White Horse Temple is the birthplace of Chinese Buddhism. Its founding stems from a dream by Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty, in which he saw the Buddha from the West. He subsequently sent envoys westward to retrieve Buddhist scriptures and bring back Buddhist statues. To commemorate the return of the scriptures on a white horse, Emperor Ming built a temple in Luoyang and named it "White Horse Temple."
The temple boasts magnificent architecture and a well-organized layout. The main buildings, including the Heavenly King Hall, the Great Buddha Hall, and the Main Hall, are arranged along the central axis. The temple also houses over 40 inscriptions, which hold significant historical research value. The two Song Dynasty stone horses outside the main gate, with their gentle and docile appearances, are exceptional stone carvings. The Qiyun Pagoda within the temple, originally built during the Five Dynasties period, boasts a history of over 800 years and is one of the temple's most significant historical sites.
The Longmen Grottoes Scenic Area is located in the south of the ancient capital of Luoyang. It was excavated in the 17th year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty (493 AD). There are 2,345 existing caves and niches on the east and west mountains, more than 2,800 inscriptions on steles, more than 70 pagodas, and 110,000 statues.
During the more than 400 years of large-scale statue-making activities at Longmen Grottoes, two major peaks of statue-making were achieved in the Northern Wei Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty.
The Tang Dynasty-era Fengxian Temple's Vairocana statue niche is the largest, most imposing, and boasts the most exquisite carvings. The Vairocana Buddha stands 17.14 meters tall, with a 4-meter-high head and 1.9-meter-long ears, making it the largest Buddha statue at Longmen Grottoes.
Dengfeng, located northwest of Zhengzhou City in Henan Province, is home to Mount Song, one of the Five Sacred Mountains. Famous for its precipitous peaks, unique rock formations, and clear streams, Mount Song is known as "China's No. 1 Mountain Water."
Dengfeng boasts a history of over 2,600 years, having served as the capital during the Shang Dynasty. During the Qin Dynasty, Dengfeng became a prefecture, one of the earliest county-level administrative units in Chinese history. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, Dengfeng served as the site of the imperial mausoleums of the then-capital Luoyang, leaving behind numerous magnificent tombs and buildings. Among its most notable World Cultural Heritage sites are the Shaolin Temple in Songshan and the "Heaven and Earth" historical complex, which bear witness to Dengfeng's long history.
Shaolin Temple was first built in the 19th year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty (495 AD). In the early Tang Dynasty, Shaolin Temple experienced unprecedented development due to the meritorious service of 13 monks who rescued Emperor Li Shimin. It was hailed as "the most famous temple in the world."
The Shaolin Temple Pagoda Forest preserves 241 ancient pagodas from the Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, as well as two modern pagodas. It is China's largest and longest-standing group of ancient pagodas, earning it the title of "China's Ancient Pagoda Art Museum."
Shaolin Temple is not only famous for its profound Buddhist culture, but also well-known both at home and abroad for its exquisite Shaolin martial arts.
In addition to Buddhist culture and martial arts, Shaolin Temple also boasts a wealth of natural attractions. The Three Emperors' Fort within the temple boasts the most concentrated natural landscapes and the most rugged and spectacular terrain in the Songshan area. Entering through the south gate of the Three Emperors' Fort, visitors can admire natural scenery such as Haohan Slope, the "One Line Sky" (a line of sky), the suspension bridge, and the suspended plank road. Visitors can also explore cultural attractions such as the Lotus Temple, Qingwei Palace, the Jade Emperor Temple, and the Three Emperors Zen Monastery.
Kaifeng is one of the seven ancient capitals of China and boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage. As the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, Kaifeng witnessed the splendor of the world's most prosperous metropolis at the time.
Famous attractions in Kaifeng include the Qingming Riverside Park, the Longting Scenic Area, the Iron Pagoda, Kaifeng Prefecture and the Daxiangguo Temple.
"Bao Yan and Ou Kuan" is a famous historical allusion in Kaifeng Prefecture. "Bao" refers to Bao Zheng, known as "Bao Qingtian" by the people; "Ou" refers to Ouyang Xiu, one of the "Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song Dynasties."
They both served as prefects of Kaifeng. During his tenure, Bao Zheng was honest and upright, loved the people, was committed to reform, and enforced strict laws, so he was called "Bao Yan"; Ouyang Xiu was Bao Zheng's successor, and he also governed Kaifeng in an orderly manner, acted in a low-key manner, and did everything according to reason, so that the people were at peace and undisturbed, so he was called "Ou Kuan".
Qingming Shanghe Park is a theme park built based on the famous painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by Zhang Zeduan of the Northern Song Dynasty. It is also a must-see attraction in Kaifeng!
The Qingming Riverside Park recreates the prosperity of Bianjing, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty. This scenic area is more than just a complex of replicas of ancient buildings; it's also a cultural theme park where you can immerse yourself in Song Dynasty life. Here, you can see restaurants, teahouses, pawnshops, and other Song Dynasty architecture, and enjoy traditional performances such as folk entertainment, acrobatics, and martial arts.
The park boasts a rich variety of performances, both in number and variety, making it a truly unique and exceptional attraction in China. "Yue Fei Challenges the Young King of Liang" is highly recommended; it's well worth a visit. Other unique performances include water puppetry, lion dances, Lord Bao's inspection of the Bian River canal, the "Resurrection" from "The Adventures of the Magic Horse," and Miss Wang's Ball-Throwing.
The most classic is the live performance of "The Great Song Dynasty: Tokyo Dream Splendor"! Here, you can feel as if you have traveled back to the peak of the prosperous Song Dynasty, with singing and dancing, and eternal peace.
Henan is not only "ancient" but also "new". When you come to Henan, this glorious ancient capital and these beautiful mountains and rivers will never let you down!
