Autumn in Henan is the best off-peak travel season~

Luoyang, Kaifeng, and Yuntai Mountain form Henan's "Golden Triangle" of tourism. This route allows you to experience the profound heritage of the ancient capital, the prosperity of the Northern Song Dynasty's Dongjing, and the grandeur of the Taihang Mountains all within 5 days. I have compiled the latest 5-day travel guide for 2025 to help you fully appreciate the charm of Central Plains culture.

🏯 Henan Luoyang-Kaifeng-Yuntai Mountain 5-Day In-Depth Travel Guide

✨ Highlights

· Cultural feast of the thirteen dynasties' ancient capitals: From Longmen Grottoes to the Sui and Tang Luoyang City, explore Luoyi Ancient City and travel through a thousand years in one day.
· Northern Song Dongjing: Travel back to the Northern Song Dynasty, visit the imperial gardens and experience the Song Dynasty folk culture performances. At Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, you can wear one of thousands of free Song-style costumes and become a trendy Song "hipster."
· Yuntai Mountain's autumn exclusive colors: Enjoy the autumn fairy tale of red leaves, yellow sumac, pine and cypress, and pink muhly grass intertwined.

🗓️ Basic Information

Best seasons: Spring (April-May) for peony blooms; Autumn (October-November) for Yuntai Mountain’s colorful scenery
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Zhengzhou East Station, transfer to hotel by private car, then free activities. If arriving early in the morning, you can visit Henan Drama Fantasy City to experience Central Plains culture through theatrical performances.
Day 2: Henan Museum—Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden—Drum Tower Night Market. After breakfast, visit the Henan Museum, one of the top ten museums, to find the nine major treasures. Then head to Kaifeng’s Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, the Northern Song Dongjing, to step into a painting and dream back a thousand years. In the evening, enjoy a special visit to the Drum Tower Night Market to taste famous local snacks.
Day 3: Shaolin Temple—Sui and Tang Dynasty Ruins of Yingtian Gate—Luoyi Ancient City. Visit the World Cultural Heritage Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of martial arts, famous for Shaolin Kung Fu. Witness the grandeur of the Sui and Tang Yingtian Gate, then enjoy a night tour of Luoyi Ancient City, perfect for photos!
Day 4: Laojun Mountain [Travel to the spectacular feast of the mortal world and witness the magnificent beauty of the immortal mountain]
Day 5: World Cultural Heritage Longmen Grottoes, experience the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty and appreciate the differences in sculptures from different eras.

💡 Practical Tips

1. Ticket discounts: Follow the official websites of Luoyang and Kaifeng cultural and tourism departments; some attractions offer ticket discounts for recent high school and college graduates.
2. Seasonal tips:
· Spring (April) features the lively Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival series.
· Autumn is the most beautiful season for Yuntai Mountain and also the peak travel season, so it is recommended to book accommodation in advance.
3. Autumn is neither cold nor hot, with clear skies and refreshing air, making it the best season for off-peak travel~

This route condenses the essence of Henan tourism, from the flourishing Tang Dynasty atmosphere in Luoyang to the Northern Song elegance in Kaifeng, and the natural wonders of Yuntai Mountain. Traveling through a thousand years in five days will surely leave you with unforgettable memories of Central Plains culture.