10D HENAN: CRADLE OF CHINESE CIVILIZATION

Car Transfer: Airport to Hotel

Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and transferred to your hotel.

As the capital of Henan Province in central China, Zhengzhou is dubbed the “Crossroads of China” and it is home to over 3,000 years of history. Today, it is an important economic centre and a major transportation hub.

Mount Yuntai Day Tour

Today, we drive to Yuntain Mountain (100km / 1hr15mins), renowned for its stunning natural scenery and rich geological landscapes. You will visit the iconic Red Stone Gorge with its picturesque layers of red rocks and a meandering stream. Head to the Tanpu Gorge, known for its waterfalls and clear pools. After lunch, take a cable car or hike up to Zhuyu Peak, the highest peak of Yuntain Mountain. From the summit, you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding mountain ranges.

History of Henan

Showcasing over 130,000 pieces of cultural relics, Henan Museum (河南博物馆) is the best place to gain insights into the history and legacy of Henan through the past thousands of years.

Car Transfer: Zhengzhou to Anyang with Sightseeing

Drive to Anyang (190km / 2.5hrs). On the way to Anyang, we stopped at the Youli Castle Ruins (羑里城遗址). A famous site from the Shang Dynasty, it was the site where King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, was imprisoned and developed the “Book of Changes” (周易).

 Yuanlin (袁世凯墓)

Yuan Shikai served as the first President of the Republic of China and later became highly controversial for his attempt to restore the monarchy. You will visit his mausoleum, which interestingly blends the style of traditional Chinese mausoleums with Western architectural styles.

Anyang: Origin of Chinese Characters & Archaeology

Visit the relic of Yinxu Museum (殷墟博物馆). Yinxu is the site of the late Shang Dynasty capital city and is known as the birthplace of ancient Chinese archaeology.

Proceed to Museum of Ancient Chinese Characters (中国文字博物馆). This museum is China’s only national-level museum dedicated to the theme of writing, comprehensively showcasing the origin, evolution, and development of Chinese characters.

Car Transfer: Anyang to Kaifeng

Drive to Kaifeng (210km / 2.5hrs), enjoy a walking tour at Xisi night market.

Glories of the Song Dynasty

Kaifeng was the first Chinese capital to be primarily a commercial metropolis. You will visit Kaifeng Fu & the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao (开封府和包公祠). Lord Bao was a well-known incorruptible and upright official in the times of the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127), who was famous for his fairness in handling lawsuits. Proceed to the Longting Park (龙亭公园). This area was once the core of the Northern Song Dynasty imperial palace, a testament to the area’s rich historical legacies.

Explore the Millennium City Park(清明上河园), a large-scale historical cultural park which recreates the masterpiece of Riverside Scenes at Qingming Festival (清明上河图), a Chinese painting by the famed Zhang Zeduan from the times of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Optional Activities

We offer a range of optional activities to further elevate your experience while in Kaifeng:

• Evening “Dongjingmenghua”(东京梦华)” performance (own expenses)
• Learning how to make Kaifeng soup dumplings (开封灌汤包 )

Legends of Kaifeng

Visit the Kaifeng Iron Pagoda (开封铁塔), one of the oldest glazed brick pagodas in China, built in the first year of the Huangyou era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1049). This pagoda is not only a landmark of Kaifeng but also an outstanding representative of ancient Chinese architectural art. Head to Xiangguo Temple (相国寺), built in the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi Dynasty (555) and is known as the birthplace of Chinese Han Buddhism. We will also visit the Zhou Bridge Site (州桥遗址), which was once the main bridge connecting the northern and southern parts of the city and a symbol of the prosperity for the Northern Song capital.

Car Transfer: Kaifeng to Gongyi

Drive to Gongyi (130km / 1hr50mins).

Imperial Mausoleum of the Northern Song Dynasty (宋陵)

As one of the largest and best-preserved imperial mausoleum complexes in China, this mausoleum is the burial site of seven emperors and their accompanying royal family members from the Northern Song Dynasty.

At sunset, enjoy the view of the Yellow River.

History of Gongyi

Uncover the stories of the Manor of Millionaire Kang (康百万庄园), the estate of the wealthy merchant Kang Yingkui’s family from the Qing Dynasty. One of the best-preserved Qing-era residential architectural complexes, the manor combines the architectural features of northern courtyard houses and southern gardens, showcasing the diversity and artistry of Qing Dynasty residential architecture.

Proceed to the Gongyi Grottoes (巩义石窟寺), one of the significant Buddhist grotto art sites in northern China. With over 1,500 years of history, it was first built during the Northern Wei Dynasty.

Car Transfer: Gongyi to Dengfeng

Drive to Dengfeng (130km / 1hr50mins).

Songyang Academy

Visit the Songyang Academy (嵩阳书院), renowned as one of the four great academies in China.

First built during the Northern Wei Dynasty with over 1,500 years of history, Songyang Academy has nurtured some of the most important scholars, officials and intellectuals which shaped the development of the Song Dynasty.

Optional Activity

Enjoy the Shaolin Chanzong Musical Ceremony performance（禅宗少林·音乐大典）(own expense).

Shaolin Temple & Chinese Kungfu

Today, you will visit the famous Shaolin Temple (少林寺) to watch a traditional Shaolin Kung Fu show led by Shaolin monks. If you are interested, you may also have the opportunity to learn some basic kung fu.

Car Transfer: Dengfeng to Luoyang

Drive to Luoyang (80km / 1hrs15mins)

Stories of Luoyang

Visit the White Horse Temple (白马寺), reputed as the first Buddhist temple in China and considered to be the place where Chinese Buddhism originated. Proceed to Erlitou Site & Relic Museum (二里头夏都遗址博物馆), regarded by historians to be the capital of the Xia Dynasty. You will also visit Yingtian, which served as the southern gate of the imperial palace during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and likely to be the largest city gate in ancient China.

Masterpieces of Luoyang

Today, you will visit the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟), home to the largest and most impressive collection of Chinese art of the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties (316-907). These works, entirely devoted to the Buddhist religion, represent the high point of Chinese stone carving.

Visit Guanlin & Luoyang Museum. The museum offers a rich collection of cultural artifacts ranging from the prehistoric era to the Ming and Qing dynasties, with those from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, as well as the Han and Tang periods, being particularly renowned.

Special Events – Luoyang Peony Festival (洛阳牡丹花会)

Peonies are in full bloom around mid-April to mid-May, generally reaching their peak during the annual festival (typically April 10th-25^th). During the peony fair, various folk performances are showcased in the gardens, set against the colorful backdrop of red, white, yellow and purple flowers.

Optional Activities

• Heluo Stone Cultural Museum (河洛石文化博物馆)
• King Zhou City Emperor’s Carriage Museum (天子驾六博物馆)
• The Tang Tri-Colored Glazed Pottery Handicraft Experience (唐三彩手作)

Car Transfer: Accommodation to Airport

Today, you will be transferred to the airport or train station for your homebound or onward journey.