China - Henan (Zhengzhou_KaiFeng_Luoyang)

Henan (河南)

Zhengzhou (郑州), Kaifeng (开封), and Luoyang (洛阳) are neighboring cities in Henan. Zhengzhou is the most convenient starting point for your trip, as most international flights land there.

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Kaifeng (开封)

Known as Dongjing (东京) during the Northern Song (北宋) era, Kaifeng was the world's most prosperous city—a golden age captured in the painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival. Beneath the city lies the "City upon City" (城摞城): six dynasties buried atop one another by Yellow River floods, yet each rebuilt on the exact same spot for over 1,000 years.

The legendary official Justice Bao (包青天) is so revered in Kaifeng that people wore away his name on a stone stele by touching it through the ages.

Today, two immersive theme parks bring history to life: Wansui Mountain (万岁山) and Qingming Riverside Park (清明上河园)—where visitors step into the Song Dynasty as NPCs, living their own stories within a living painting. In Kaifeng, you don't just watch history—you become part of it.

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Luoyang (洛阳)

Luoyang—capital of 13 dynasties including Xia (夏), Shang (商), Zhou (周), Han (汉), Wei (魏), Sui (隋), and Tang (唐)—was history's most enduring divine city. During the Tang, it was known as Shen (神都) and rivaled Chang'an (长安, modern Xi'an) as the empire's political heart. Empress Wu Zetian (武则天), China's only female emperor, chose Luoyang over Chang'an as her primary seat of power, elevating it to unparalleled glory. Buddhism flourished here at White Horse Temple, while the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟)—a UNESCO World Heritage site—house her colossal Buddhist statues. As Sima Guang said: "To understand dynasties' rise and fall, look upon Luoyang."

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Zhengzhou (郑州)

Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province, is a major transportation hub at the heart of China. As an ancient capital of the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC), it boasts a rich history, including the iconic Shang City Wall ruins. Today, it's a modern industrial and logistics center—home to the world's largest iPhone assembly plant (Foxconn) and a key stop on the Silk Road rail network. Don't miss the Henan Museum or its famous local dish, braised noodles (烩面, huìmiàn).

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Henan 8D7N Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrival → Kaifeng (开封府 - 鼓楼 - 清明上河园) Stay Kaifeng

DAY 2 Kaifeng (城墙 - 万岁山 - 铁塔). Stay Kaifeng

DAY 3 Kaifeng → Luoyang (龙门石窟 - 天堂明堂夜景).  Stay Luoyang

DAY 4 Luoyang (洛阳古墓博物馆 - 洛邑古城 - 十字街 - 丽景门). Stay Luoyang

DAY 5 Luoyang (九州池 - 天子驾六博物馆) → Zhengzhou. Stay Zhengzhou

DAY 6 Zhengzhou → Baoquan Scenic Area (崖天下 - A线). Stay Xinxiang / Zhengzhou

DAY 7 Zhengzhou (河南博物馆 - city walk). Stay Zhengzhou

DAY 8 Zhengzhou → Airport → Singapore 

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Places of interest 

Kaifeng

1) Kaifeng Government Office (开封府) – where Lord Bao worked.

   · Check performance timings—the 9:30 AM opening ceremony at the entrance is not to be missed.

   · Lord Bao Temple (包公祠) – where Lord Bao lived.

2) City Wall (城墙) – use your Wansui Mountain ticket for entry (no extra cost).

   · See part of the ruin layers that reveal the "City upon City" (城摞城). Check the schedule for the 3D show at the excavated sand area.

   · Go up the wall and rent a self-drive caddy to ride along it. Drive all the way to the final stop—do not get off or return the caddy when you first see Wansui Mountain (that's the North Gate). Continue to the West Gate (西门) before returning the caddy.

   · Enter Wansui Mountain · Daxing Wuxia City (万岁山·大宋武侠城) – ticket valid for 3 days with re-entry – from the West Gate (西门) and exit at the East Gate (东门). Note: Foreigners cannot snatch show tickets due to overseas phone number restrictions.

   · After Wansui Mountain, exit from the East Gate (东门) and take quick transport to Iron Pagoda (铁塔).

Luoyang

1) Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟)

   · Best visited upon arrival in Luoyang, as the high-speed train station is at Longmen, near the grottoes. Free luggage storage is available at the tourist center.

   · Optimal visit time: 4–6 PM. You can stay to see the 7 PM night-lighting scenery.

   · Must book a 4 PM guide from Daka (大咖) for historical context.

2) Ancient Tombs Museum (洛阳古墓博物馆)

   · Pre-book a guide that includes tickets to avoid the hassle of "snatching" tickets.

   · Closed on Mondays.

3) Luoyi Ancient Town (洛邑古城) – evening photo spot for the "Fairy Scattering Flowers" (仙女散花) theme.

   · Shizi Jie (十字街) – snack street – and Lijing Men (丽景门) – historic city gate – are all connected nearby.

4) Yingtianmen (应天门) – night view (free from outside).

5) Mingtang / Tiantang (明堂天堂) – see Wu Zetian's throne. Note: all buildings are reconstructions.

6) Jiuzhou Pool (九州池) – Tang-style garden, great for photos.

7) Tianzijialiu Museum (天子驾六博物馆) – features excavated skeletons from over 2,000 years ago. (I didn't go in, so I can't comment further.)

Zhengzhou

1) Baoquan Scenic Area (宝泉景区) – featured by National Geographic and known for its waterfall.

   · Book tickets in advance or join a day tour.

   · Transport: high-speed train from Zhengzhou East Station (郑州东站) to Xinxiang East Station (新乡东站), then book a bus/van to Baoquan via the Didi app.

   · If visiting Baoquan, it's better to stay one night and buy a 2-day access pass.

2) Henan Museum (河南博物馆) – purchase a special exhibition ticket to gain entry, and book a guide.

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Eat

Kaifeng

1) Yan's Wife Spicy Soup (闫家老婆胡辣汤) – spicy soup (胡辣汤), scallion pancakes (葱花饼), egg mo (蛋莫)

2) Huangjia Old Shop (黄家老店) – soup dumplings (灌汤包)

3) Xingqingde (兴庆德) – stir-fried jelly (炒冰粉)

4) Xingjia Potstickers (邢家锅贴) – Guo Tie (锅贴)

Luoyang

1) Yiji Luoyang Cuisine (一记洛阳菜) – sweet-and-sour pork ribs (糖醋小排), water banquet (水席), yancai (燕菜), lion's head meatballs (狮子头)

2) Wuge Running Horse Soup (武哥跑马汤) – running horse soup (跑马汤)

3) Tanggong Royal Banquet (唐宫御宴) – omakase-style

4) Beef sliced noodles (牛肉刀削面)

Zhengzhou

1) Meiyuan Kaifeng Soup Dumplings (梅园开封灌汤包) – crispy rice (锅巴), pig's skin (猪皮冻)

2) Xiaoji Three-Fresh Stewed Noodles (箫记三鲜烩面)

3) Wushunzhai Roast Duck (五顺斋烤鸭) – roast duck / roast goose (烤鸭/烤鹅)

4) Aping Xiaoguan (阿平小馆)

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Stay

* Kaifeng – stay near Gulou (鼓楼). 

Recommended: Life Hotel.

* Luoyang – 

Recommended: Luoyang Always Boutique Hotel (Yingtianmen Xigong Street Branch)

* Zhengzhou – stay around Erqi Twin Tower (二七塔) for a more touristy vibe, or Zhengzhou East Station if you prefer more reputable hotels.

Erqi area is livelier and more tourist-oriented; Zhengzhou East side is more office/commercial.