Henan
The largely rebuilt Shaolin Temple is a commercialised victim of its own incredible success. A frequent target of war, the ancestral home of wǔshù was…
Must-see attractions in Henan
Henan
The ravaged grottoes at Longmen constitute one of China’s handful of surviving masterpieces of Buddhist rock carving. A sutra in stone, the epic…
Henan
First founded in AD 555, this frequently rebuilt temple vanished along with Kaifeng in the early 1640s, when rebels breached the Yellow River’s dykes…
Henan
This superb but little-visited museum has three main exhibits: 20 reconstructed tombs (spanning five main dynasties, or over 1000 years), re-created using…
Henan
This tunnel on the cusp of Guoliang village offers a closer perspective on the plunging cliffs, with dramatic views carved through the rock. The tunnel…
Henan
Although its original structures have all been replaced and older Buddhist shrines may have vanished, this vast, active monastery outside Luoyang is…
Henan
Arguably the best hike in the area, Taishi Shan serves as a much quieter counterpoint to Shaolin Temple. It's not for slackers, however; like all Chinese…
Henan
Kaifeng's most iconic landmark is a magnificent 11th-century Iron Pagoda (55m tall) at the centre of a pleasant park. The gorgeous, glazed-brick edifice,…
Henan
The largely rebuilt Shaolin Temple is a commercialised victim of its own incredible success. A frequent target of war, the ancestral home of wǔshù was…
Henan
A few kilometres east of Dengfeng, the ancient and hoary Zhongyue Temple is a colossal active Taoist monastery complex that originally dates back to the…
Henan
This stumpy pagoda from 974 is the oldest Buddhist structure in Kaifeng and was originally a nine-storey hexagonal building, typical of the Northern Song…
Henan
This tiny, elaborately styled guild hall was built as a lodging and meeting place during the Qing dynasty by an association of merchants from Shanxi (山西),…
Henan
This huge museum, situated out of the action south of the river, has fascinating displays across two huge floors and is one of the few places where you…
Henan
This reconstructed site of the government offices of the Northern Song has daily theatricals commencing outside the gates – the doors are thrown open and…
Henan
Housed in a colossal fortress 10km west of town, the Kaifeng Museum contains a modest collection of archaeological finds, woodblock prints and historical…
Henan
Any Chinese city worth its rice has an Old Town. Within Luoyang’s is this scenic area comprising a plethora of water-banquet restaurants, costume shops…
Henan
This square is the cacophonous meeting place for locals who come to play chess and cards, practise calligraphy, stroll with grandchildren, play…
Henan
In this square, guards maintain a 24-hour vigil at the foot of a statue of Chairman Mao, and portraits of Marx, Engels, Stalin and Lenin (the original …
Henan
Originally founded in the Northern Song dynasty, this mosque is housed in a traditional Chinese temple compound with a pretty rose garden. Examine the…
Eastern Zhou Royal Horse & Chariot Pits
Henan
A huge statue of six rearing horses marks this two-hall underground museum, where the principal draw is the in-situ remains of a Zhou emperor’s royal…
Henan
The 600-year-old City God temple bustles with worshippers who leave its trees festooned with red ribbons and its entrances swirling with incense smoke.
Henan
Closed for renovations (at the time of writing, estimated to last until mid-2020), only the highlights are currently on display in a side building. Take…
Henan
A beautiful 40m waterfall with a pool beneath that is at least 28m deep (the shape of the pool has thus far made it impossible to measure any deeper).
Henan
Four stone compounds that date back to the Ming dynasty. Just opposite, a platform atop a pillar of rock offers astonishing views into a canyon.
Henan
Dedicated to the Southern Song military hero Yue Fei, this temple was first founded in 1478. The weatherbeaten temple hasn't seen much restoration, and…
Henan
Built in 1379, Kaifeng's drum tower was originally located west of here and this site belonged to the bell tower. In the late Ming dynasty, a sickly…
Nanjiecun Instant Food Company
Henan
You don't have to join a tour to visit this noodle factory, which employs more than 500 people in the collective. Enter at the east end and go upstairs to…
Henan
Dedicated to Guandi, the god of war and protection (among other things), this temple was originally built during the Ming dynasty (then dedicated to the…
Henan
Site of the former imperial palace, this park is mostly gardens and a lake, into which hardy swimmers plunge in winter. Reached by a bridge, you can climb…
Henan
At the foot of Mt Taishi sits one of China’s oldest academies, the lush and well-tended Songyang Academy, a building complex that dates from AD 484 and…
Henan
Originally built in the Sui dynasty, this gate separated the palace area from the city's residential quarters. It was reconstructed in 2002 and renovated…
Henan
Previously the only way into the village was via these steep Ming dynasty steps hewn from the local stone. The stairs have no guard rails and have fallen…
Henan
According to local lore, the flow of this spring responds to the loudness of your whoops. (It doesn’t, but that doesn't stop people from trying). Expect a…
Henan
Not far from East is Red Square, this square is known primarily for the rebuilt, traditional architecture of Chaoyang Gate (朝阳门, Cháoyáng Mén).
Henan
Kaifeng is ringed by a relatively intact, much-restored Qing dynasty wall, which you can climb up at various points. There's precious little to see from…
Henan
It's difficult to miss this enormous pagoda and hall, recreated on the original site of the Ming and Tang palace complex. The most impressive element of…
Henan
One of Luoyang’s indispensable green lungs, this park is the site of the annual Peony Festival. Unfortunately, the park is also home to a decrepit zoo…
Henan
There's not much to see inside this narrow, muddy cave. Unless you're really into clambering over slimy rocks, you can safely skip this one.
Henan
Although replete with colourfully painted eaves, there is little to see at this restored temple. Take bus 60 or 85 from the train station.
Henan
Zhengzhou's eastern outskirts are marked by long, high mounds of earth, the remains of the old city walls. You can climb up to explore.
