Day 1 → All day meeting in Zhengzhou
All day
All-day Zhengzhou gathering day
Tourists will check in at the designated hotel after 2:00 PM. Please report "China-Travel Note + Name" to the front desk and proceed to free time. Please keep your belongings safe and take care of yourself.
Recommended attractions
There are only Henan Drama Fantasy City, Jianye Film Town, Erqi Memorial Tower, Big Corn, People's Park, Zhengzhou Museum, Zhengzhou Confucian Temple, Shangdu Ruins Museum, Zhengzhou Art Museum, Zhengzhou Science and Technology Museum, Kaifeng Qingming Riverside Park, etc.
Food recommendations
Mutton stewed noodles, spicy soup, Yellow River carp, nepeta knot soup, Geji braised pancakes, baked steamed buns with vegetables, Caiji steamed dumplings, Tielaoda mutton soup, baked carp noodles, fried jelly, Laojun roast chicken, etc.
Traffic Tips
From Xinzheng Airport, Zhengzhou East Railway Station, and Zhengzhou Railway Station, you can take the subway, taxi, and bus to the city center hotel. Pick-up service is not included, so please make your own way to the meeting hotel.
Special note: Since this product route covers a wide area, a wide range of knowledge, and a high professional span, we will currently arrange different teachers to provide professional explanations in regional sections. Currently, we have arranged three lecturers to give explanations in the Dengfeng section, Luoyang section, and Zhengzhou section. We will also arrange a humanistic leader to coordinate the itinerary and life arrangements throughout the whole process. Please be informed!
Day 2 Zhengzhou → Observatory → Huishan Temple → Songyang Scenic Area (Songyang Academy - Songyue Temple Pagoda - Dharma King Pagoda) → Overnight in Dengfeng
All day
After breakfast, we headed to the Guoyi Observatory, the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in China.
The observatory was built by Yuan Dynasty astronomer Guo Shoujing, who used it to develop the Shushi Calendar, the world's most advanced calendar at the time. The observatory consists of a platform surrounded by a spiral staircase and a stone gui laid out northward from a recess in the north wall. The platform is square and shaped like an inverted bucket, with a 31.19-meter-long celestial ruler on its north side. Its ability to measure the sun's shadow with an accuracy of ±2 mm led to the calculation that the Shushi Calendar predates the Gregorian calendar by 300 years. The observatory also houses various astronomical instruments, including the Zhougong Observatory, a clepsydra, a caliper, a zodiac symbol, and a sundial. The observatory provides direct and convincing evidence for the cosmological concept of "the center of heaven and earth," recognized as the "center of heaven and earth."
Afterwards, we went to Huishan Temple, the only remaining ancient building from the Yuan Dynasty in Henan Province.
Huishan Temple was first built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, with its Main Hall constructed during the Yuan Dynasty. With its deep eaves and massive brackets, it is the only remaining wooden structure from the Yuan Dynasty in the Songshan area. It is considered one of the four great temples of Songshan, along with Shaolin Temple, Fawang Temple, and Songyue Temple. Huishan Temple boasts over 30 stone inscriptions, including the Eastern Wei "Zhongyue Songyang Temple Stele" and the Northern Qi "Huishan Temple Stele," over 120 ancient trees dating from the Tang to Qing dynasties, and a large iron bell cast from the Ming Dynasty. To the west of the temple stands the Tang Dynasty pagoda of Zen Master Jingzang, and to the southwest and southeast are five Qing Dynasty brick pagodas.
Special experience for tourists: We will taste local vegetarian food and experience a different food culture~
Afterwards we will go to [Songyang Academy], one of the four major academies in China.
Songyang Academy, founded in the Northern Wei Dynasty, was not only an ancient Chinese institution of higher learning but also one of the birthplaces of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism. Sages such as Fan Zhongyan, Sima Guang, Cheng Hao, Cheng Yi, and Zhu Xi lectured here. Volumes 9-21 of the "Zizhi Tongjian" (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government) were completed here, and the "Chengmen Lixue" (Standing in the Snow) story also took place here. The Tang Dynasty Songyang Academy Stele, featuring the inscription by Li Linfu, the inscription by Pei Jiong, and Xu Hao's eight-part official script, is a magnificent monument, the largest in the Central Plains. The existing "Two Generals Cypress" within the academy dates back to when Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, visited Songyang and was honored with the title of general due to its towering size. The tree is over 4,500 years old, and was the inspiration for Emperor Qianlong's painting, "Songyang Han Cypress." The academy system was abolished in the late Qing Dynasty. Songyang Academy, as a monument to a vanished institutional culture, remains a vital monument to the study of ancient Chinese academy architecture, educational systems, and Confucian culture. Amidst its lush greenery, one can almost smell the millennia-old fragrance of ink.
Afterwards we will go to [Songyue Temple Pagoda], the oldest existing brick pagoda building in China and the first pagoda in China.
In the 1930s, after the architect Liu Dunzhen visited the Songyue Temple Pagoda, he said in his "Notes on the Investigation of Ancient Architecture in Northern Henan Province": "The later Tang Dynasty square pagodas, such as the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xiangji Temple Pagoda, were all derived from here..."
Liang Sicheng once made a list of cultural relics that must be protected to the central government. According to the degree of importance, Liang Sicheng marked four circles, three circles in front of them... and in front of the Songyue Temple Pagoda, he marked five circles!
Built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Songyue Temple Pagoda, a dodecagonal, dense-eaves pagoda, stands alone among ancient pagodas in China. Standing 37 meters tall, it comprises a base, a tower body, a 15-story, stacked brick eaves, and a finial. Beneath the tower lies a subterranean palace constructed of blue bricks using a slurry of glutinous rice paste mixed with loess mud. The Songyue Temple Pagoda is deeply influenced by ancient Indian Buddhist stupas. Its striking, nearly circular plan and bifurcated tower body are closely related to Indian stupas, displaying distinct Gandhara art styles. It embodies a unique example of cultural exchange and innovation between Chinese and foreign architecture. The design of the "Big Corn Building," a landmark building in Zhengzhou's CBD, was inspired by the Songyue Temple Pagoda.
Afterwards, we headed to the Fawang Temple Pagoda, one of the five largest dense-eaves pagodas in China during the Tang Dynasty, and a symbol of beauty in Taishi Mountain.
The Fawang Temple Pagoda, originally built during the Sui Dynasty, stands 34.187 meters tall. It is a 15-story, square, parabolic-shaped stupa located within the Fawang Temple, known as the "most scenic spot in Songshan Mountain." Founded in the Eastern Han Dynasty, Fawang Temple was three years later than the White Horse Temple in Luoyang and 424 years earlier than the Shaolin Temple. The Fawang Temple pagoda complex currently includes four Tang Dynasty pagodas, one Yuan Dynasty pagoda, and one Qing Dynasty pagoda. Fawang Temple Pagoda No. 1 is the tallest of these, a brick pagoda with stacked eaves and dense eaves. It is also the only Buddhist pagoda in the complex and is considered one of the three largest dense eaves pagodas of the Tang Dynasty in China, along with the Small Wild Goose Pagoda at Jianfu Temple in Xi'an and the Qianxun Pagoda at Chongsheng Temple in Dali.
Afterwards, we'll check into Dengfeng. Enjoy the local specialties of sesame-crusted sesame cakes, Yingyang beef tongue flatbread, braised mutton, fried sliced noodles, Dengfeng mustard shreds, and starchy noodles.
Day 3 Dengfeng → Shaolin Temple → Shaoshique → Qimuque → Zhongyue Temple → Overnight in Dengfeng
All day
After breakfast, we will go to Shaolin Temple and visit the historical buildings of Tiandizhong including the Shaolin Temple Permanent Residence, Chuzu Nunnery and Pagoda Forest.
Permanent Residence | National Seven, the core of Shaolin Temple, the treasure of the temple, the large arhat mural in the Thousand Buddha Hall
This is where the Shaolin monks live and practice. Along the central axis are seven courtyards: the Mountain Gate, the Heavenly King Hall, the Main Hall, the Sutra Library, the Abbot's Chamber, the Lixue Pavilion, and the Thousand Buddha Hall. The Thousand Buddha Hall is the largest existing Buddhist hall in Shaolin Temple. Marvel at the massive mural "Five Hundred Arhats and Vairocana," 7.5 meters high, 42 meters long, and covering approximately 320 square meters. This mural is the largest, highest-quality, and best-preserved of the many existing murals in Shaolin Temple, and is considered a treasure of the temple. The Five Hundred Arhats, each depicting a unique story, are depicted in 35 groups. The three-layered painting utilizes a heavy, flat color scheme, creating a harmonious blend of vermilion and black, with bold, powerful strokes. A closer look reveals four rows of 12 footwells in the hall's floor, totaling 48. These pits, known as "standing pits," are said to be the footwells of the monks practicing martial arts.
Special experience for tourists: We will specially invite brothers from Shaolin Temple to lead the interpretation of the stories of the permanent residents, talk about interesting things in the life of the monks, and uncover a different Shaolin Temple!
Chuzu Temple | Grade 4, the ancient architecture textbook "Yingzaofashi" from the Northern Song Dynasty
In June 1936, a delegation from the Architectural Society visited the site and was astonished. That evening, Liu Dunzhen remarked, "Although this hall has been renovated, it retains substantial traces of its Northern Song heritage, beyond a reasonable doubt." This exhilaration left him unable to sleep that night. The following day, upon inspection, they discovered inscriptions on the stone pillars clearly stating that the hall was built in the seventh year of the Xuanhe reign of the Northern Song Dynasty (1125 AD). This delighted the delegation. Liang Sicheng exclaimed, "The main hall of the First Ancestral Temple, built in the seventh year of the Xuanhe reign of Emperor Huizong of Song, is the closest physical example to the 'Yingzaofashi' in terms of both time and space!"
Chuzu Temple was originally built in the Northern Song Dynasty to commemorate Bodhidharma's facing the wall. Facing south, Chuzu Temple's main buildings include the mountain gate, main hall, and Thousand Buddha Pavilion. The architectural system stipulated in the "Yingzaofashi" (Construction Code) is well embodied here: the original structural features of the combination of rounded and angular brackets are still preserved, making it a rare example of this standard in existence. The entire structure is supported by 12 octagonal stone pillars and four golden pillars within the hall. The pillars are engraved with relief carvings, each with its own unique story, creating an exceptionally beautiful scene. After the Northern Song Dynasty capital of Kaifeng long faded into the depths of history, Chuzu Temple, a Northern Song Dynasty wooden structure close to the capital of Bianliang, has left us with a wealth of insights into the architectural characteristics of the Central Plains of the Northern Song Dynasty, consistent with the "Yingzaofashi" (Construction Code).
Tallinn | Guosi, the largest and most numerous ancient pagoda complex in China
The word "pagoda" is an abbreviation of the ancient Indian word "tap" and is a product of Buddhism. It is also known as "futu", which means tomb. In China, it specifically refers to the tombs of monks. The Shaolin Temple Pagoda Forest is one of the four major tomb pagoda forests in my country. It preserves 241 brick and stone tomb pagodas from the Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Among them, there are 6 from the Tang Dynasty, 1 from the Five Dynasties, 2 from the Song Dynasty, 8 from the Jin Dynasty, 44 from the Yuan Dynasty, 143 from the Ming Dynasty, 14 from the Qing Dynasty, and 23 from unknown construction years. Among them, the Tang Fawan Pagoda, the Song Pu Tong Pagoda, the Jin Xitang Pagoda, the Yuan Zhonglin Pagoda, the Ming Tanran Pagoda and the Qing Bi'an Pagoda are representative works, making it worthy of being called the "China Ancient Pagoda Art Museum."
Then, we will go to [Shaoshique + Qimuque], the most complete and only surviving national ritual architecture in China, and one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units (number 002-003).
The Shaoshi Que, originally built during the Han Dynasty, served as a sacred que in front of the Shaoshi Mountain Temple. Constructed of blue-gray stone, it consists of two ques, the East and West. The two ques share a common structure, consisting of a base, a main body, and a roof. The East Que stands 3.37 meters tall, the West Que 3.75 meters tall, with a distance of 7.60 meters between them. Inscribed in seal script on the center of the three north tiers of the West Que are six characters: "Shaoshi Shendao Que." The carvings on the Shaoshi Que include banquets, winged figures, the birth of the black bird Shang, hunting, elephant training, cockfighting, Cuju (cuju), tigers, and horsemanship. The circus and hunting scenes are particularly striking, representing representative works of Han Dynasty sculpture.
The Qimu Que, built in the Eastern Han Dynasty, serves as a sacred que in front of the Qimu Temple. Constructed of carved stone, it consists of two ques, east and west, standing 3.17 meters tall. Carvings depict horsemanship, horseback riding, magic tricks, elephant training, Guo Ju burying his son, Yu the Great transforming into a bear, and fruit dismounting from his horse. The depiction of a woman playing Cuju is important physical evidence of the origins of football in China. The inscription on the Qimu Que is one of the best-preserved of the Three Ques of Zhongyue. One inscription is on the Qimu Que, while the other is on the Tangxi Dian Songgao Temple, where the rain is prayed for. The Three Han Dynasty Ques are evidence that the ancient capital was built in the "center of heaven and earth," as evidenced by the remains of the Dengfeng area, confirming early human belief in the "center of heaven and earth."
Then go to Zhongyue Temple, the fifth largest temple in China, the largest and most complete ancient architectural complex in Henan Province.
Built during the Qin Dynasty as a place for worshipping the mountain deity of Mount Taishi, Zhongyue Temple, with its architectural style and layout modeled after Beijing's Forbidden City, is the most complete and largest Taoist temple complex among the Five Sacred Mountains. It boasts nearly 400 buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, over 200 bronze and stone artifacts, and over 300 ancient cypress trees dating from the Han to Qing dynasties. Among the must-sees are the Chongsheng Gate, the four "Iron Guardians of the Treasury" from the Northern Song Dynasty, the double-eaved hipped roof of the Junji Hall, the thousand-year-old Three Duke Cypresses, and the inscription on the "True Shapes of the Five Sacred Mountains." Known as the "Little Forbidden City," this temple, while set against the distant backdrop of Mount Taishi, stands alone in the basin plain of "the center of heaven and earth," bearing witness to the development of Taoist culture imbued with the belief in "the center of heaven and earth."
Stay in Dengfeng for the night. You can enjoy local specialties such as sesame-covered sesame cakes, Yingyang beef tongue flatbread, stewed mutton, fried sliced noodles, Dengfeng mustard shreds, and starch noodles. You can stroll around and eat as you like.
Day 4: Dengfeng → Taishique → Visit the Song Tombs (Yongchang Mausoleum + Yongding Mausoleum + Yongzhao Mausoleum) → Gongyi Grottoes → Accommodation in Luoyang
All day
After breakfast, go to [Taishique] National Treasure No. 1, China
The Taishi Que, built in the Eastern Han Dynasty and the earliest of the three ques, originally served as a sacred que for the Taishi Shrine, the predecessor of the Zhongyue Temple. Constructed of chiseled stone, it stands 3.96 meters tall and is divided into two sections, east and west, with a distance of 6.75 meters between the gates. The east que stands 3.92 meters high, while the west que stands 3.96 meters. The two ques share a common structure, consisting of a base, a body, and a roof. The upper section of the que is carved from massive stones into a four-sided roof, with the six seal characters "Zhongyue Taishi Yangcheng" inscribed on the south side. Carvings and decorative motifs depicting chariots and horses, circuses, hunting, mythological stories, exotic birds and beasts, cockfighting, acrobatics, and pavilions are all featured on the Taishi Que, creating a simple and unsophisticated artistic style that exudes a profound and imposing aura.
We then concluded our Dengfeng trip and headed to Gongyi. The "Heaven and Earth Historical Complex" represents a harmonious symphony of heaven, earth, humanity, and the divine. It is not only a beautiful reflection of the ancient cosmic concept of "harmony between man and nature" in physical space, but also a concentrated expression of the core values of Chinese civilization in its cosmology, political philosophy, ritual culture, scientific achievements, educational thought, religious integration, and architectural art.
Afterwards, we will visit the Song Tombs in Gongyi. We will visit the Yongchang Mausoleum, Yongding Mausoleum, and Yongzhao Mausoleum, the second national tomb, the seven emperors and eight mausoleums, and the thousand-year loneliness in the fields.
The Gongyi Song Tombs contain over 300 tombs, encompassing the seven emperors of the Northern Song Dynasty, excluding Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong, as well as the tomb of Zhao Hongyin, Zhao Kuangyin's father. Together, they are known as the "Seven Emperors and Eight Tombs." After the Jingkang Incident, the Jin Dynasty's puppet regime, the Great Qi, ruled the Central Plains and wreaked havoc on the tombs. No tomb was spared, leaving the great Northern Song Dynasty in ruins. From the contradictions between Emperor Taizu's military founding and his transition to civil rule, to the development of international trade and multi-ethnic coexistence during Emperor Zhenzong's reign, to the ideal of "co-governance" under Emperor Renzong, from the undeveloped wild tombs to the fully restored panoramic ruins, through the differences between the stone statues and the three tombs, we can understand the Northern Song Dynasty's transformation from pioneering to flourishing to maintaining its status, revealing history through the tombs and the people through the stones.
Yongchang Mausoleum (Zhao Kuangyin, Emperor Taizu of Song, the spirit of founding the country, majestic and simple)
The founding emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty, he ended the chaotic Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He was crowned emperor in the "Chenqiao Mutiny," establishing the Song Dynasty. He also relinquished military power with a "cup of wine," laying the foundation for a national policy that prioritized civil over military power. The Yongchang Mausoleum exemplifies the early Song Dynasty mausoleum design. Its precincts are complete, though slightly smaller than those of later dynasties. The underground palace is deeply buried and has not been extensively excavated. The mausoleum's mound is funnel-shaped and currently stands approximately 15 meters high. Stone carvings of military commanders, horses, auspicious birds, stone tigers, elephants, and mahouts remain, though the site remains largely unexplored.
Yongding Mausoleum (Song Zhenzong Zhao Heng, Fengshan afterglow, gorgeous and extravagant)
The third emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty, the architect of the Treaty of Chanyuan, offered peace through annual tribute. He was superstitious about auspicious signs and held a costly Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. His early reign, known as the "Xianping Reign," saw the nation flourish, but his later years, devoted to Taoism, depleted the treasury. During his reign, he issued the Jiaozi (the earliest prototype of paper currency). His mausoleum boasts one of the most complete collections of stone carvings among the Song imperial tombs, reflecting the extravagant lifestyle of Emperor Zhenzong in his later years. Existing carvings include auspicious birds, Lu Duan, groups of guests and envoys, stone carvings of civil officials, and portraits of palace ladies, representing a rich tapestry that remains largely unexplored.
Yongzhao Mausoleum (Song Renzong Zhao Zhen, a model of benevolent rule, exquisite realism)
The fourth emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty, he was tolerant and receptive to advice, abolishing the practice of burying concubines alive with the dead. His reign was a cultural peak of the era (six of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties reigned), and well-known figures of the era, such as Bao Zheng, Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, Su Shi, Di Qing, and Shen Kuo, achieved great success during this period. His Song Dynasty tombs are among the most complete above-ground remains (now developed into a heritage park), with visible sacred paths, quetai, and mausoleum terraces. This is a prime example of "simple burial" in Song Dynasty tombs. The tomb of Empress Cao and the tombs of high-ranking ministers (such as Bao Zheng's tomb in nearby Gongyi) embody the concept of "sharing the emperor's and ministers' mausoleums." Extant remains include stone sheep, images of civil and military officials, generals guarding the mausoleum, palace ladies, auspicious birds, and watchtowers.
Then go to Gongyi Grottoes, National II, Northern Wei Hongbao, Emperor and Empress worship Buddha
Construction began during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Currently, the grottoes contain five caves, one Thousand Buddha niche, three cliff sculptures, 225 cliff niches, 256 inscribed steles, and 7,743 Buddha statues. The style of the grottoes is similar to that of the Longmen Grottoes. While the carvings feature common Northern Wei grottoes depictions of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, disciples, seated Sakyamuni and Duobao, Vimalakirti transformations, and flying apsaras, the most distinctive themes are reliefs of worshipping processions, musicians, deities, and monsters. The Gongyi Grottoes feature large-scale group sculptures, including the most complete "Emperor and Empress Worshiping Buddha" in China. The grand scale of the scene, with consistent direction and costumes, creates a strong sense of unity, earning it the title "Unique in China."
After a satisfying day of sightseeing, check into Luoyang for the evening. Enjoy a good rest and savor local specialties like Xuji Turnip Soup, Silver Bar Fried Shrimp, Eight-Blocked Bowls, Dengji Crispy Fried Pancakes, Duanwan Little Baby Mutton Soup, Beef Soup, Luoyang Water Banquet, No-Flip Soup, and Noodles.
Day 5 Luoyang → Erlitou Site Museum → Longmen Grottoes → Overnight in Luoyang
All day
After breakfast, go to Erlitou Site Museum, the source of China, the earliest China
The Erlitou Xia Capital Ruins systematically showcases the history of the Xia Dynasty, archaeological findings from the Erlitou site, the exploration of Xia culture, the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasty dating projects, and the research findings from the Chinese Civilization Origins Project. The museum houses a total of 2,089 artifacts, primarily bronze, pottery, jade, turquoise, bone, horn, and ivory artifacts. The museum's exterior design incorporates Erlitou elements such as the "key," "coiled dragon," "turquoise dragon," "bronze jue," and "jade zhang." Treasures include a grid-patterned bronze tripod (the earliest known bronze tripod in my country), a bone monkey, a seven-hole jade knife (the largest jade artifact unearthed from the Erlitou site), a turquoise dragon-shaped vessel, a nipple-patterned bronze jue (the largest jue in China), a white pottery hat-shaped vessel, and a turquoise bronze plaque with animal faces.
Then go to Longmen Grottoes, the highest peak of Chinese stone carving art and the first of all Chinese grottoes.
The Longmen Grottoes boast 2,345 existing Buddhist niches, over 100,000 statues, and over 2,800 inscribed stele tablets, making them the world's largest and most extensive collection of stone carvings. The first large-scale excavation of the caves began before Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty relocated the capital to Luoyang. This resulted in the creation of Buddha statues with "slender features and clear figures" and "wide robes and belts," a style that suited the aesthetics and culture of the Han people of the Central Plains. This style has become known as the "Central Plains style." Guyang Cave, the most representative extant cave, is home to the largest concentration of statues of the Northern Wei royal family and aristocracy. It is also the earliest excavated and richest cave in the Longmen Grottoes. Of the 2,800 inscribed stele tablets at Longmen Grottoes, over 800 are from Guyang Cave alone; 19 of the renowned "Twenty Fragments of Longmen" Wei stele tablets are found in Guyang Cave.
The second large-scale period of cave sculpture creation spanned the reigns of four Tang emperors: Emperor Taizong, Emperor Gaozong, Empress Wu Zetian, and Emperor Xuanzong, lasting a total of 110 years. The sculptures produced during this period account for approximately two-thirds of the Longmen Grottoes, establishing a style of temple and cave sculpture popular throughout China, South Korea, and Japan—the "Great Tang Style." This period reached its peak both in terms of quantity and artistic achievement. The most representative of these is the Fengxian Temple, the largest of the Longmen Grottoes. Constructed by splitting the mountain, its nine massive statues are carved from the rock. The central Vairocana Buddha stands over 17 meters tall, with a head alone measuring 4 meters and ears 1.9 meters long. Scholars hailed its facial features as a great example in the history of Chinese sculpture.
After a satisfying tour, check in to Luoyang for the evening. Enjoy a good rest and savor local specialties like beef soup, Luoyang water banquet, no-stir soup, starch noodles, pot stickers, peony cakes, and hot noodle dumplings.
Day 6 Luoyang → Luoyang Museum → Luoyang Ancient Tomb Museum → Overnight in Zhengzhou
All day
After breakfast, go to [Luoyang Museum] Heluo civilization
Luoyang Museum has a large basic exhibition "Heluo Civilization" and six special exhibitions: "Treasure Exhibition", "Han and Tang Dynasty Pottery Exhibition", "Tang Dynasty Tri-color Painting Exhibition", "Palace Cultural Relics Exhibition", "Stone Carving Art Exhibition" and "Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition". It has a collection of 20,449 pieces/sets of cultural relics, including 5,428 precious cultural relics. The museum's five most notable treasures include: a Wei and Jin Dynasty white jade cup (smoothly and exquisitely carved from Hetian jade); a bronze square tripod with animal-face patterns (exquisitely decorated with patterns unearthed from the Western Zhou Dynasty); a Tang Dynasty sancai black-glazed horse (an artistic recreation of the image of a divine dragon steed, its four hooves treading snow); an Eastern Han Dynasty stone evil-repelling talisman (the largest stone evil-repelling talisman discovered to date); and a golden nanmu pagoda (an impressive display of 304 gilded Amitabha Buddha statues). Other exquisite artifacts await your viewing pleasure: clay Buddha statues, Tang Dynasty sancai lotus lanterns, a gold and silver flat-peeled bronze mirror with flower and bird patterns, an Eastern Han Dynasty gilded bronze feathered figure, a Shang Dynasty bronze square jar with mother drums, a silver-gilt statue of the Sixth Panchen Lama, painted pottery flower lanterns, and a painted pottery maid holding hands.
Then go to the Luoyang Ancient Tomb Museum. There is little idle land on the top of Beimang Mountain, and it is full of old tombs of Luoyang people.
The Luoyang Ancient Tomb Museum is the world's first, boasting a vast collection of ancient tombs, unique styles, and a rich collection of tombs spanning a long history. The museum has relocated 25 representative tombs from the Mangshan Tombs complex and restored them on a 1:1 scale. Dating from the Western Han Dynasty to the Song and Jin Dynasties, you can delve into each tomb, experiencing its architecture, viewing unearthed artifacts and their locations, as well as murals and brick carvings. This truly immersive experience transports you to the stories of novels like Ghost Blows Out the Light and The Grave Robbers' Chronicles.
After a satisfying evening out, we'll arrive in Zhengzhou for a good rest and savor local specialties like mutton stewed noodles, spicy hot soup, Yellow River carp, nepeta knot soup, Geji braised pancakes, baked steamed buns with vegetables, Caiji steamed dumplings, Tielaoda mutton soup, baked carp noodles, fried jelly, Laojun roast chicken, and more.
Day 7 Zhengzhou → Henan Museum → Disbandment in Zhengzhou
All day
After breakfast, proceed to Henan Museum
Special note: Due to the Henan Museum's interpretation regulations, only contracted tour guides are allowed to give tours. We will arrange for qualified tour guides to lead the tour. Please be advised.
Henan Museum has a collection of more than 170,000 pieces (sets) of cultural relics, especially prehistoric relics, Shang and Zhou bronzes, ceramics from various dynasties, jades and stone carvings. The number of fine cultural relics is large, the types are complete, the quality is high and the value is great. It is a cultural and artistic treasure house that witnesses the development trajectory of Chinese civilization and shows the development of Chinese history. Important cultural relics guide: Jiahu bone flute, painted pottery double-linked pot, Duling square tripod, Fuhao owl-shaped zun, Houmu Xin four-legged bronze goblet, animal-faced bronze square goblet, Guoji bronze bell, seven-huang jade pendant set, jade-handled iron sword, lotus and crane square pot, coiled dragon pattern copper lid tripod, kneeling bronze lamp, gold-thread jade suit, four gods cloud map, seven-story painted pottery tower, glazed pottery music figurines, green-glazed standing pottery dog, Northern Qi white-glazed green-colored long-necked bottle, yellow-glazed music and dance pattern flat pot, Wu Zetian gold tablet, three-color Eagle-headed pot, tri-color ox-horn-shaped cup, red pottery female figurine series, white marble Maitreya Buddha seated statue, tri-color relic box, gold coffin and silver outer coffin, Ru kiln sky-blue glaze carved goose-neck porcelain vase, Jun kiln sky-blue glaze lotus leaf and flower-mouth porcelain vase, tri-color boy lotus leaf pillow, phoenix-patterned gold cape pendant, ivory radish, ivory cabbage (exhibited for a limited time), cloud-patterned bronze ban, Prince Wu Ding, bronze mythical beasts, Wang Sungao chime bells... There is really too much to see. If you don't visit the Henan Museum, how can you know about the five thousand years of history!
After having fun, we will go to the airport train station to disband and end our pleasant trip. I believe that after a full 7-day cultural journey, you and I have already figured out what is the meaning of heaven and earth.
Estimated arrival time: 14:00, Zhengzhou East Station. We recommend booking a ticket for a train departing after 15:00.
Since there are many high-speed trains between Zhengzhou East Station and Xinzheng Airport and the subway is also very convenient, and taking the bus is far and prone to traffic jams, we do not provide additional airport transportation. We recommend that you purchase the Zhengzhou East Station - Xinzheng Airport Intercity Railway or take the subway to Xinzheng Airport.
