Summer Vacation Guide to Henan Travel Without Pitfalls

June-July travelers to Henan are in for a treat! As a local, I've compiled essential tips for famous attractions to help you avoid common traps.

🥙[Food Recommendations]
🔹Classic Yu Cuisine:
Braised Noodles: Zhengzhou Heji Braised Noodles and Xiaoji Braised Noodles feature rich broth and chewy noodles.
Spicy Soup: Zhoukou Xiaoyao Town and Luohe Beiwudu offer distinct regional varieties.
Crispy Noodles with Sweet&Sour Carp: Kaifeng's traditional delicacy pairing crispy fried noodles with carp.

🔹Night Market Snacks:
Kaifeng Drum Tower Night Market: Soup dumplings, almond tea, stir-fried bean jelly.
Luoyang Old Town Cross Street: "Bu Fan" soup, fermented noodle soup, boiled tripe.
Zhengzhou Jiankang Road Night Market: Braised noodles, lamb skewers, grilled gluten.

🚄[Transport Guide]
🔹Intercity Travel:
High-speed rail: Beijing-Guangzhou and Xuzhou-Lanzhou lines crisscross Henan. Zhengzhou to Luoyang/Kaifeng takes 30mins.
Regional railways: Zhengzhou-Kaifeng/Jiaozuo lines offer convenient connections.
Highways: Well-developed network but prone to summer afternoon storms - check weather alerts.

🔹Urban Transport:
Zhengzhou: Metro covers main areas; avoid rush hours (7:30-9:00/17:30-19:00).
Kaifeng/Luoyang: Efficient bus systems; shared bikes ideal for compact scenic areas.

🔹Mountain Attractions:
Yuntai Mountain/Laojun Mountain: Book shuttle buses or chartered cars in advance; caution on winding roads.
Song Mountain: Electric carts available at Shaolin Temple; Sanhuangzhai trail requires stamina.

☁️[Weather Tips]
June:
Temp: 25-35°C (rising late month)
Attire: T-shirts + sun protection, light jacket for rain.
Note: Harvest season may bring farm vehicles on rural roads - drive carefully.

July:
Temp: 28-38°C with frequent afternoon thunderstorms
Attire: Quick-dry clothes, sunhat, sunglasses, compact umbrella.
Note: Anti-slip precautions at water attractions like Yellow River Scenic Area/Yuntai Red Stone Gorge.

⚠️Extreme Weather:
• Avoid low-lying areas during urban flooding
• No riverbank camping due to mountain flash flood risks