6 Days Henan Tour: Zhengzhou, Anyang, Kaifeng, Dengfeng, Luoyang

Explore China's Earliest National Prison and the Earliest Chinese Writing System

After breakfast, drive to Anyang County. We will stop at Youli Castle in Tangyin, which is the first stop of your guided Henan tour. It is the earliest national prison in China, dating back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC). It is the birthplace of Zhouyi culture and has produced many famous historical allusions.

Keep driving to Anyang. After arrival, the tour guide will take you to visit the Museum of Chinese Characters, the first museum in China dedicated to characters. With a total construction area of 34,500 square meters, there are 4123 cultural relics collected here, including oracle bone inscriptions, bronze inscriptions, bamboo slips, and silk books. You can learn about the development history of Chinese characters, minority languages in China, and world languages.

Last, go to visit Yin Xu (Yin Ruins), the ruins of the capital city of the late Shang Dynasty in China. This place confirms that oracle bone script is the earliest Chinese writing system. The site includes palace areas, burial areas, handicraft workshop areas, and residential areas (for civilians and slaves). You will see an ancient city with a well-designed layout and well-equipped facilities. Follow your tour guide to explore cultural relics and glimpse the civilization of the Shang Dynasty.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

Accommodation: in Anyang County

Experience Ancient History and Architectural Marvels of Kaifeng

After breakfast, drive for 3 hours to Kaifeng, the busiest city during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Up to now, Kaifeng has a city history of over 4100 years. After arrival, visit the Dragon Pavilion, the location of the capital city of the six dynasties in China. As the main body of the Longting Park, it is one of the must see tourist attractions in Kaifeng, along with the surrounding beautiful scenery. Walking up to the top, you will see a panoramic view.

Next take a stroll around the Ancient City Wall of Kaifeng. With a total length of 14.4 kilometers, this is the second largest ancient city wall building in China after the Nanjing City Wall. Then, go to visit Millennium City Park, a cultural theme park recreated according to the famous painting "River Scene at Qingming Festival". It offers an immersive experience that allows visitors to step back in the time of the Song Dynasty.

Our last stop on Kaifeng tour is the Kaifeng Iron Pagoda. Standing 55.88 meters tall with 13 octagonal stories, this Iron Pagoda is famed as the No.1 Pagoda in the World and is the tallest, oldest, and most well-preserved glazed brick pagoda in China.

After all visit, we will drive back to Zhengzhou for the night.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

Accommodation: in Zhengzhou

Watch a Wonderful Martial Art Performance

After breakfast at the hotel, your tour guide will take you to Dengfeng to explore the legendary Shaolin Temple (95 km).

We will stop to see an Astronomical Observatory built in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) near Dengfeng City en route. Then continue driving 25 kilometers to Shaolin Temple, located at the foot of Mount Songshan.

Shaolin Temple was founded in 495 AD and is not only the birthplace of Zen Buddhism, but also the Chinese Kung Fu. It is known as the "the holy land of Kung Fu". The tour guide will take you to visit some major sites and explain the stories of the mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Bell Tower, etc. Pagoda Forest is a highlight of the scenic area.

It has collected over 200 pagodas from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. This site is a graveyard for the departed eminent monks. Pagodas are of different shapes, heights, and arrangements, making them look like a forest, so the place got the name Pagoda Forest

After that, you will watch an exciting martial art performance by the skilled Shaolin Temple monks. It lasts for 30 minutes around. The shows demonstrate various Shaolin Kung Fu styles, including Basic Skills, Power Skills, Combat Skills, and others.

Drive for 1.5 hours to Luoyang. It was once the capital of 13 different dynasties in Chinese history. Upon arrival, take a leisurely walk on the old streets of Luoyang ancient city and taste some local snacks.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

Accommodation: in Luoyan

Discover the Historical Gems from Grottoes to Museum

Today, your China tour in Luoyang will take you to Longmen Grottoes, the world's largest treasure trove of stone carving art with the most statues. It has gone through more than 10 dynasties and were built for over 1400 years. There are 2345 existing cave niches here, with over 110,000 statues. A large number of colorful paintings were used during construction, but most of them have now faded. Experience the beauty of ancient Chinese grotto art from your tour guide's wonderful commentary.

Next, we will transfer to Luoyang Museum. Established in 1958, this museum has an exhibition area of 17,000 square meters. It has a collection of 20315 cultural relics, including 5406 precious relics, especially famous for Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasty bronze ware, Han pottery figurines, Tang tri colored glazed pottery, and Song Dynasty porcelain.

After that, take a guided exploration of Tianzi Jialiu Museum. Located in Luoyang city center, it is a specialized museum displaying chariot and horse pits from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. The top highlight of the museum is a six-horse-drawn carriage that can only be used by the emperor during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

Accommodation: in Luoyang

After breakfast in the morning, your driver will escort you to the airport / train station according to your flight time! Your 6-day Henan tour in Luoyang ends here. Thank you for choosing China Xian Tour!

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: N/A