12 DAYS HISTORIC HENAN AND SHANDONG

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.

Car Transfer: Zhengzhou to Anyang with Sightseeing

Drive to Anyang (190km / 2.5hrs).

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.

After Leaving Yinxu Museum, 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.

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. 

Car Transfer: Anyang to Luoyang via Gongyi

Drive to Gongyi (250km / 3hrs). After sightseeing in Gongyi, you will continue the drive to Luoyang (70km / 1hr).

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 and one of the best-preserved Qing-era residential architectural complexes in the Central Plains region. 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.

Masterpieces of Luoyang

Today you will visit the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟), the grottoes and niches of Longmen contain 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 boasts a rich collection of cultural relics, covering various precious artifacts 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-25th). During the peony fair, various folk performances are showcased in the gardens, set against the colorful backdrop of red, white, yellow and purple flowers.

Options Activities

1. Heluo Stone Cultural Museum (河洛石文化博物馆)

2. King Zhou City Emperor’s Carriage Museum (天子驾六博物馆)

3. The Tang tri-colored glazed pottery Handicraft Experience (唐三彩手作)

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.

Car Transfer: Luoyang to Dengfeng

Drive to Dengfeng (80km / 1hrs15mins).

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 Qufu

Drive to Qufu (430km / 4.5hrs). Upon arrival, transfer to hotel and have a good rest.

Into the Birthplace of Confucius

Today, we will visit the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion (孔府、孔庙、孔林), Built to commemorate Confucius in 478 B.C., the temple now comprises more than 100 buildings. The cemetery contains Confucius’ tomb and the remains of more than 100,000 of his descendants. The small house of the Kong family evolved into a gigantic aristocratic residence, of which 152 buildings remain. The Qufu complex of monuments has retained its outstanding historical character thanks to the devotion of successive Chinese emperors for over 2,000 years.

Optional Activity 1: Taste Confucius’ Cuisine

Experience the rich culinary heritage of Confucian Mansion Cuisine, guided by an inheritor who will share its thousand-year history and evolution. Enjoy a customised dinner showcasing this refined tradition. (Own expense)

Optional Activity 2: Tour with a Descendant

Explore the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius, along with the Kong Family Mansion, led by a descendant of Confucius.

Car Transfer: Qufu to Tai An

Drive to Tai an (80km / 1.5 hours).

If you would like to experience sunrise on Mount Tai, we can alternatively arrange a stay at the top of Mount Tai, or under the mountain. Please note that the due to its rugged location, rooms at Mount Tai are generally smaller and facilities can be limited.

Sacred Mount Tai

Mount Tai (泰山) is one of China’s most famous sacred mountains, with exceptional historical, cultural, aesthetic and scientific value. You will take a shuttle bus to the Zhongtian Gate, followed by a cable car to the Nantian Gate and a hike up to Jade Emperor Peak (玉皇顶).

Optional Activity

This evening, you can catch the Mount Tai Fengshan Ceremony（中华泰山·封禅大典), a grand-scale live performance (own expense).

Performance time: May – October 20:00 – 21:20 (19:30 – 20:50 in October)

Tai An’s Intangible Cultural Heritage

Visit Dai Temple (岱庙), where emperors of the past dynasties held the Feudal Ceremony and worshipped the god of Taishan. This temple is also home to a precious collection of ancient stone tablets from the Han dynasty.

Car Transfer: Tai An to Qingzhou

Drive to Qingzhou (180km / 2.5 hours).

Ancient Qingzhou

Qingzhou boasts a history of over 5,000 years, making it one of the important birthplaces of Shandong culture. Visit the Qingzhou Museum (青州博物馆), which houses a vast collection of precious cultural relics, most notably the exquisite stone-carved Buddhist statues from Longxing Temple, which date back to the Northern Dynasties period and hold great artistic significance.

You will also explore Qingzhou Ancient City (青州古城), which features numerous historical sites and cultural attractions. The city retains the architectural style and street layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties, offering a glimpse into its rich historical heritage.

Car Transfer: Qingzhou to Qingdao

Drive to Qingdao (2330km / 3 hours).

Qingdao’s City Charms

Enjoy a city walk in Qingdao, visiting St. Michael’s Church (圣米歇尔教堂), the guqin-shaped Little Qingdao (小青岛), the famous landmark of Qinyu Piaodeng, as well as the trestle bridge (栈桥), a former military dock built at the beginning of modern construction in Qingdao.

Visit Tsingtao Beer Museum (青岛啤酒博物馆) to taste the iconic beer, learn its history and old beer production tools.

Wonders of the Mountains and the Sea

Head to Mount Lao (崂山), a majestic Taoist mountain dubbed as “No. 1 Mountain on the Sea”. Visit Taiqing Palace (太清宫), which is the oldest and largest Taoist temple in Mount Lao.

Enjoy a stroll around Badaguan (八大关), an atmospheric residential district built by the Germans between 1898 – 1914, and subsequently enhanced during the Japanese era.

Car Transfer: Hotel to Airport

Enjoy the morning at your own leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward journey.